Prince Rogers Nelson was born on June 7, 1958, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was named after his father's jazz band, the Prince Rogers Trio.
Prince was a musical prodigy, teaching himself to play the piano at seven, the guitar at thirteen, and the drums at fourteen. By the time he was 19, he had signed his first record deal.
His debut album, 'For You,' was released in 1978, and Prince played all 27 instruments featured on the album, showcasing his incredible versatility as a musician.
Prince's 1984 album 'Purple Rain' and the accompanying film of the same name catapulted him to international stardom. The album sold over 25 million copies worldwide and won him an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score.
'Purple Rain,' the title track, is often considered one of Prince's greatest songs and is a staple in his live performances. The song blends rock, R&B, and pop, embodying his genre-defying style.
Prince was known for his flamboyant stage presence, androgynous fashion, and bold use of color, particularly purple, which became synonymous with his image.
In 1993, Prince changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol, often referred to as 'The Love Symbol,' as a protest against his record label. During this period, he was often referred to as 'The Artist Formerly Known as Prince.'
Prince was incredibly prolific, reportedly having written and recorded hundreds of songs that were never released. His legendary vault of unreleased music is the stuff of music industry lore.
He won seven Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award throughout his career, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
Prince was a pioneer in the fight for artists' rights, famously battling his record label, Warner Bros., for control over his master recordings. This fight led to greater awareness of artists' ownership of their work.
Prince was known for his collaborations with other artists, including writing hit songs for other performers such as 'Manic Monday' for The Bangles and 'Nothing Compares 2 U' for Sinéad O'Connor.
Despite his fame, Prince was known for his reclusive nature, rarely giving interviews and maintaining a mysterious public persona.
He was a devout Jehovah's Witness and was known to go door-to-door in his neighborhood to spread his faith, despite his global fame.
Prince was a strong advocate for racial and social justice, often addressing these issues in his music and public appearances.
Prince passed away on April 21, 2016, at the age of 57, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest and most influential artists in music history. His music continues to inspire and influence new generations of musicians.