Prince

Biography

Prince Rogers Nelson, known universally as Prince, was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer who became a global icon for his innovative and eclectic music, flamboyant stage presence, and wide-ranging talent. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on June 7, 1958, he developed an early interest in music and taught himself to play the piano, guitar, and drums. His parents, John L. Nelson and Mattie Della Shaw, were both musicians.

Early Career and Breakthrough

Prince signed a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records at the age of 19. His debut album, "For You," was released in 1978, followed by "Prince" in 1979, which contained his first hit single, "I Wanna Be Your Lover." The albums "Dirty Mind" (1980) and "Controversy" (1981) garnered critical acclaim and attention for their blend of funk, rock, new wave, and R&B, with sexually explicit lyrics. His 1982 album "1999" was a major international success, featuring hit singles like "Little Red Corvette" and the title track.

Purple Rain and Superstardom

In 1984, Prince achieved monumental success with the album and film "Purple Rain." The film won an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score, and the soundtrack sold millions of copies worldwide. It featured the hit singles "When Doves Cry" and "Let's Go Crazy," which both reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. At one point in 1984, Prince simultaneously had the number one album, single, and film in the United States, a historic achievement. He followed this success with a string of hit albums including "Around the World in a Day" (1985), "Parade" (1986), and the critically acclaimed double album "Sign 'o' the Times" (1987).

Artistic Evolution and "The Artist Formerly Known as Prince"

Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Prince continued to release a prolific amount of music, experimenting with various musical styles. In 1993, in a dispute with his record label, Warner Bros., he changed his name to an unpronounceable "Love Symbol," and became known as "The Artist Formerly Known as Prince." During this period, he released albums independently, including the successful "Emancipation" in 1996.

Later Years and Legacy

In 2000, he reclaimed the name "Prince." He continued to tour and record, releasing the commercially successful album "Musicology" in 2004, which earned him two Grammy Awards. That same year, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Prince was a masterful multi-instrumentalist, known for his virtuoso guitar skills. He sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. His awards include seven Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award.

Personal Life and Death

Prince was married twice, first to Mayte Garcia from 1996 to 2000, and then to Manuela Testolini from 2001 to 2007. He had a son with Garcia who was born with a rare genetic disorder and died a week after birth. On April 21, 2016, Prince died at the age of 57 from an accidental overdose of the powerful painkiller fentanyl at his Paisley Park home and recording studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota. His death was a shock to the world, and tributes poured in from fans and fellow musicians. He left behind a vast vault of unreleased music. His memoir, "The Beautiful Ones," was published posthumously in 2019.