Prince Rogers Nelson (born June 7th, 1958) was an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and actor. He performed mononymously as Prince, but had also been known by various other names; the most well-known was an unpronounceable symbol (which can be spelled out as O(+>), that he used as his name between 1993 and 2000. During that time, he was usually referred to as The Artist Formerly Known as Prince, The Symbol or simply The Artist.
Other aliases that he had used were: Alexander Nevermind, Camille, Christopher, Jamie Starr, Joey Coco, Paisley Park, The Starr Company, and Tora Tora.
Prince was a prolific artist, having released several hundred songs both under his own name and with other artists. He has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time. He has won seven Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the first year he was eligible in 2004.
Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Prince developed an interest in music at an early age. After recording songs with his cousin's band 94 East, he recorded several unsuccessful demo tapes before releasing his debut album, "For You," in 1978. His 1979 album, "Prince," went platinum due to the success of the singles "Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?" and "I Wanna Be Your Lover." His next three records, "Dirty Mind" (1980), "Controversy" (1981) and "1999" (1982), continued his success. These records showcased the incorporation of sparse and industrial-sounding drum machine arrangements, and the use of synthesizer riffs to serve the role traditionally occupied by horn riffs in earlier R&B, funk and soul music. This trademark sound was called the Minneapolis sound and has turned out to be very influential.
In 1984, he began referring to his backup band as The Revolution and released "Purple Rain," which served as the soundtrack to his film debut of the same name. After the albums "Around the World in a Day" (1985) and "Parade" (1986), The Revolution disbanded and Prince published the critically acclaimed double album "Sign 'O' the Times" (1987) as a solo artist. This was followed up by "Lovesexy" (1988). He released two more solo albums before debuting The New Power Generation band in 1991. After changing his stage name to the unpronounceable symbol, also known as the "Love Symbol," in 1993, he began issuing new albums at a faster pace. He did so in order to remove himself from contractual obligations to Warner Brothers, who had been his record company since 1978. He eventually achieved it in 1996.
In 2000, he began referring to himself as Prince once again. He has published several albums since then. Some of these were never given a physical release. In 2014, he returned to Warner Brothers and released two albums: "Art Official Age," as Prince; and "PlectrumElectrum," under the moniker 3rdeyegirl, which had been Prince's backing band since 2012.
UPDATE (04/23/2016):
In 1984, he began referring to his backup band as The Revolution and released "Purple Rain," which served as the soundtrack to his film debut of the same name. After the albums "Around the World in a Day" (1985) and "Parade" (1986), The Revolution disbanded and Prince published the critically acclaimed double album "Sign 'O' the Times" (1987) as a solo artist. This was followed up by "Lovesexy" (1988). He released two more solo albums before debuting The New Power Generation band in 1991. After changing his stage name to the unpronounceable symbol, also known as the "Love Symbol," in 1993, he began issuing new albums at a faster pace. He did so in order to remove himself from contractual obligations to Warner Brothers, who had been his record company since 1978. He eventually achieved it in 1996.
In 2000, he began referring to himself as Prince once again. He has published several albums since then. Some of these were never given a physical release. In 2014, he returned to Warner Brothers and released two albums: "Art Official Age," as Prince; and "PlectrumElectrum," under the moniker 3rdeyegirl, which had been Prince's backing band since 2012.
UPDATE (04/23/2016):
Prince sadly passed away on April 21st, 2016 at Paisley Park Studios, where he lived, recorded, performed, and threw parties for other artists.
As a fan, I had written this entry as a tribute to him for his last birthday. I am devastated by the news... Still, we have his legacy forever. Furthermore, he had mentioned several times that he had a lot of unreleased music. Who knows? We may start discovering it if it ever gets published...
On a personal note, I am sharing these two pictures regarding his latest releases in 2015. Although I never had the chance to meet Prince, he surely acknowledged my family through his Twitter account:
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