Prince Rogers Nelson was born on June 7, 1958, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to jazz singer Mattie Shaw and pianist/songwriter John Lewis Nelson. Prince Rogers was his father’s stage name, used while performing in the jazz group The Prince Rogers Trio. Prince was known as “Skipper” growing up. Prince was a skilled multi-instrumentalist but was best known as a guitar virtuoso. He pioneered the “Minneapolis Sound”, a sub-genre of funk rock incorporating elements of synth-pop and new wave. Prince signed his first recording contract with Warner Bros. Records in his late teens. He was granted complete creative control, unheard of for such a young, unproven talent. His debut album, For You, was released in 1978. Prince went on to become one of the biggest artists of all-time, selling more than 100 million albums over the course of his innovative and eclectic career. The release of his 1984 film and album Purple Rain made him a global superstar and was his commercial peak. Prince won seven Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards, a Golden Globe and an Academy Award. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Prince was immensely influential and was instrumental in the careers of many successful artists including The Time, Wendy & Lisa, Sheila E., Vanity 6, Appolonia 6, Jill Jones, Ingrid Chavez, Sheena Easton, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Morris Day, Rosie Gaines, Susannah Melvoin and Madhouse. Prince died of an accidental fentanyl overdose on April 21, 2016, at his home and recording complex Paisley Park. He was 57 years old. #prince #princeandtherevolution #princeandthenewpowergeneration #minneapolissound #princerogerstrio #mattieshaw #princerogersnelson #johnllewis #skipper #warnerbrosrecords #foryou #purplerain #thetime #wendyandlisa #jilljones #jimmyjamandterrylewis #sheilae #vanity6 #appolonia6 #susannahmelvoin #paisleypark #paisleyparkisinyourheart #tonyatlarge #eclectimaniacradioshow #todayinmusic #musichistory
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