Prince

PRINCE ROGERS NELSON d2016. American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. A musical innovator who was known for his eclectic work, flamboyant stage presence, extravagant dress & makeup and wide vocal range. His music integrated a wide variety of styles including ; funk / rock / R&B / new wave / soul / psychedelia and pop. To date (2017) he has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best selling music acts of all time. The winner of seven Grammy Awards / a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for the film "Purple Rain". He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 (his first year of eligibility). Born in Minneapolis, he first developed an interest in music as a young child. He signed a recording contract with Warner Bros Records at the age of 18 and released his debut album For You in 1978. His 1979 album Prince went platinum and his next three records Dirty Mind (1980) / Controversy (1981) and 1999 (1982) continued his success, showcasing his prominently sexual lyrics and blending of funk, dance and rock music. In 1984, he began referring to his backup band as The Revolution and released "Purple Rain" the soundtrack album to his eponymous 1984 film debut. It quickly became his most critically and commercially successful release, spending 24 consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard charts and selling over 20 million copies worldwide. After releasing the albums Around The World in A Day (1985) and Parade (1986), The Revolution disbanded and he released the double album "Sign O' the Times" (1987) as a solo artist. He released three more solo albums before debuting The New Power Generation band in 1991. In 1993, while in a contractual dispute with Warner's, he changed his stage name to an unpronounceable symbol also known as the "Love Symbol" and began releasing new albums at a faster pace to remove himself from contractual obligations. He released five records between 1994 and 1996 before signing with Arista Records 1998. In 2000, he began referring to himself as "Prince" again. He released 16 albums after that, including the platinum-selling Musicology (2004). His final album Hit n Run Phase Two was first released on the Tidal streaming service on December 12th 2015. Prince died suddenly from a fentanyl overdose at his Paisley Park recording studio and home in Minnesota on April 21st 2016 at the age of 57 .........