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Prince

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description Prince Overview

Born Prince Rogers Nelson, Prince was an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer from Minneapolis, Minnesota. His music brought funk and dance rhythms into contact with rock guitar and pop songwriting. In 1984, he released the commercially and critically successful Purple Rain soundtrack album with the Revolution, giving that mixture a prominent expression. His guitar playing and broad vocal range were accompanied by extensive control over recording and production.

That involvement lets his work be considered as the creation of an instrumentalist and studio musician as well as a singer. He suits listeners interested in artists who move between genres while maintaining a recognizable rhythmic and vocal identity. Prince won seven Grammy Awards and entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. His catalog spans intimate recordings as well as music built for a large stage.

help Prince FAQ

When was Prince's Purple Rain album released?

The Purple Rain album was released on June 25, 1984, by Warner Bros. Records, serving as the soundtrack to the accompanying film. It spent 24 consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard 200 and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song Score.

Why did Prince change his name to a symbol?

Prince changed his name to an unpronounceable love symbol in 1993 as a protest against his Warner Bros. recording contract, which he felt gave him insufficient ownership of his master recordings and controlled his release schedule. During this period he was widely referred to as "The Artist Formerly Known as Prince."

What instruments did Prince play?

Prince was a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist credited with playing 27 instruments on his 1978 debut album "For You," which he also produced entirely himself. Throughout his career he played piano, guitar, bass, drums, and synthesizers, often performing most or all parts on his studio recordings.

Where was Prince's Paisley Park located?

Paisley Park was Prince's recording studio and creative complex located in Chanhassen, Minnesota, a suburb of his hometown of Minneapolis. After his death on April 21, 2016, Paisley Park was opened to the public as a museum and memorial, offering tours of the studios where he recorded many of his albums.