Prince
In 1984, Prince released Purple Rain, the soundtrack to his semi-autobiographical film of the same name. That year he became the first artist to simultaneously hold the number-one film, album, and single in the United States. The achievement transformed him from a respected innovator into a worldwide superstar.
Minneapolis Prodigy
Born in Minneapolis in 1958, Prince signed with Warner Bros. at 18 and released his first album two years later. He insisted on producing his own work, an unusual demand for so young an artist.
The Purple Rain Era
The 1984 film and album Purple Rain catapulted Prince to global fame. His fusion of funk, rock, R&B, and pop, paired with daring stage presence, made him one of the defining artists of the decade.
Restless Innovator
Prince battled his record label over creative control, famously changing his name to a symbol in the 1990s. He left behind a vast catalog and a reputation as one of the most gifted musicians of his generation.
Career Timeline
- 1958Born Prince Rogers Nelson in Minneapolis
- 1978Releases debut album For You at age 19
- 19821999 album yields breakout hit Little Red Corvette
- 1984Purple Rain film and album make him a superstar
- 1985Wins Academy Award for Purple Rain song score
- 1986Parade album spawns the number-one hit Kiss
- 1987Releases acclaimed double album Sign o the Times
- 1993Changes name to an unpronounceable symbol
- 2004Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- 2016Dies at his Paisley Park home in Minnesota
Biggest Hits
- Prince was a self-taught multi-instrumentalist who played most of the instruments himself on his early albums.
- He died in 2016 from an accidental overdose of counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl at his Paisley Park estate.
Portrait: Unknown (Warner Bros. promotional photo, 1988) · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons