Prince Rogers Nelson defined the Minneapolis sound and became one of the most prolific artists in music history. Initially, he captivated the world with his flamboyant style before he fought for his artistic freedom against major record labels. Furthermore, his ability to play nearly every instrument on stage set him apart from his peers. Consequently, his legacy includes a massive vault of unreleased music that fans are still discovering today. Explore these fascinating details about the Purple One.
Prince
He played 27 different instruments on his debut album. While recording For You in 1978, the young prodigy refused to hire a backing band. Therefore, he meticulously recorded every single drum beat, guitar riff, and synthesizer part himself to ensure the sound was perfect.
He wrote the hit song “Manic Monday” for The Bangles. However, he used the pseudonym “Christopher” to hide his involvement. Consequently, the song reached number two on the charts, sitting right behind his own massive hit “Kiss.”
Prince was actually his real birth name. His father, a jazz musician named John L. Nelson, performed under the stage name Prince Rogers. Thus, he named his son Prince Rogers Nelson because he wanted him to achieve everything that he could not.
He became a devout Jehovah’s Witness later in life. Surprisingly, he even participated in the traditional door-to-door ministry in his local neighborhood. Residents in Minnesota were often shocked to find the global superstar standing on their porch discussing scripture.
The song “Darling Nikki” directly inspired the “Parental Advisory” sticker. Tipper Gore heard the explicit lyrics and felt horrified that her daughter had access to them. As a result, she formed a committee that eventually forced record labels to place warning stickers on album covers.
He strictly banned the Kardashians from appearing on New Girl. When he contacted the show’s creators to ask for a cameo, he reviewed the guest list for the party scene. Reportedly, he demanded they remove Khloé Kardashian and Kris Jenner before he would agree to step on set.
He possessed a legendary vault filled with thousands of unreleased songs. Because he recorded music constantly, he produced far more tracks than he could ever release commercially. Therefore, the estate continues to find complete albums and music videos hidden within the secure complex at Paisley Park.
Pantone created a custom color just for him. The color institute honored his legacy by establishing a specific shade of purple called “Love Symbol #2.” This hue matches the color of his custom-made Yamaha piano.
Prince performed in the rain during the Super Bowl halftime show. In 2007, a massive storm hit Miami right before he took the stage. Instead of worrying, he asked the producers if they could “make it rain harder” while he played “Purple Rain” in the downpour.
He changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol to protest his contract. During a dispute with Warner Bros., he felt like the label owned his name. Consequently, he adopted the “Love Symbol” and wrote the word “Slave” on his cheek during public appearances.
He wrote “Nothing Compares 2 U” for a side project. Although Sinead O’Connor made the song famous with her emotional cover, Prince originally penned it for his band The Family. Eventually, he reclaimed the song and performed it live as a tribute to his own emotional depth.
He stood only 5 feet 2 inches tall. To compensate for his short stature, he wore high-heeled boots almost exclusively. Furthermore, he often projected a larger-than-life persona on stage that made him appear much taller than he actually was.
He wrote his first song at the age of seven. He titled the track “Funk Machine” and played it on his father’s piano. This early start proved that his musical genius was evident long before he became a teenager.
He stayed awake for days to finish recording sessions. His engineers often worked in shifts because Prince refused to stop when he felt inspired. Therefore, he would often record for 24 hours straight without sleeping or eating a full meal.
Finally, he removed the bass lines from “When Doves Cry.” Unconventionally, he decided the song sounded better without a traditional bass guitar track. This bold production choice helped the song become the number-one single of 1984.
