Historical Figure
Prince
1958–2016
American musician and actor (1958–2016)
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Biography
Prince Rogers Nelson was an American singer, songwriter, musician, dancer, and actor. Often credited as an influence on music and one of the greatest musicians of his era, he pioneered the Minneapolis sound and was influential in the evolution of various other genres of music.
In Their Own Words (5)
A true prince is the artist of artists. […] The prince's material is the artist; his will is his chisel: he inspires, employs and directs the artist, because only he sees the whole picture from the correct perspective, because only he is the one to execute the great idea through which through which the unity of power and idea is expressed completely in the present. The regent produces an infinitely diverse spectacle, where stage and ground floor, actor and audience are one, and he himself is poet, director and hero of the play at the same time.
Novalis, "Faith and Love; or, the King and the Queen" (1798) in Novalis Schriften, Volume 2 (1907), p. 162 , 1798
Princes appear to me to be Fools & appear to me to be fools they seem to me to be something Else besides Human Life.
William Blake, "Public Address", in The Note-book of William Blake, ed. Geoffrey Keynes, 1935. Also in The Complete Poetry and Prose of William Blake, edited by David V. Erdman, University of California Press, 2008 (p.580) , 1935
The King of England is one of those princes who hath an Imperial Crown; what is that? It is not to do what he will; no, but it is that he shall not be punished in his own person if he doth that which in itself is unlawful.
Lord Bridgman, C.B., Case of Hugh Peters (1660), 5 How. St. Tr. 1144. , 1904
Let it not be understood that I have the slightest feeling against Henry of Prussia; it is the prince I have no use for. Personally, he may be a good fellow, and I am inclined to believe he is, and if he were in trouble and I had it in my power to help he would find in me a friend. The amputation of his title would relieve him of his royal affliction and elevate him to the dignity of a man.
Eugene V. Debs, "Prince and Proletaire" in DEBS: His Life Writings and Speeches, 1908. , 1908
O, how wretchedIs that poor man that hangs on princes' favors!There is, betwixt that smile we would aspire to,That sweet aspect of princes, and their ruin,More pangs and fears than wars and women have;And when he falls, he falls like Lucifer,Never to hope again.
William Shakespeare, Henry VIII (c. 1613), Act III, scene 2, line 366. , 1613
Timeline
The story of Prince, told in moments.
Born Prince Rogers Nelson in Minneapolis. Named after his father's jazz group, the Prince Rogers Trio. His parents divorced when he was ten. He bounced between homes and taught himself to play 27 instruments.
Purple Rain, the album and film, released simultaneously. The soundtrack spent 24 consecutive weeks at number one. "When Doves Cry" became his first number-one single. He was 26.
Changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol in a dispute with Warner Bros. over the rights to his music. Wrote "SLAVE" on his cheek in public appearances. The press called him "The Artist Formerly Known As Prince."
Performed the Super Bowl halftime show in a downpour. Played "Purple Rain" as actual rain fell. Widely considered the greatest halftime performance in the event's history. He requested the rain not be stopped.
Found dead in an elevator at Paisley Park, his estate and studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Cause was an accidental fentanyl overdose. He was 57. No will was ever found. His estate was valued at over $300 million.
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