Rob Verhorst/Redferns/Getty ImagesPrince performs in the Netherlands. 1995.
Prince could do everything.
A drummer, singer, songwriter, prolific guitar player, keyboardist, producer, sex symbol, pop artist, rocker, funk master, and style icon — his life would forever shape the music industry and popular culture.
“Few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory of popular music more distinctly, or touched quite so many people with their talent,” President Obama said in a statement after the artist’s unexpected 2016 death. “He was a virtuoso instrumentalist, a brilliant bandleader, and an electrifying performer. ‘A strong spirit transcends rules,’ Prince once said — and nobody’s spirit was stronger, bolder, or more creative.”
Prince created most of his music without anyone else’s help — playing every instrument, singing background vocals, composing and producing, and finally performing.
Much like David Bowie, Prince stretched the boundaries of sexuality and masculinity — adopting a sparkly, androgynous look filled with bell bottoms, sequins, flowing sleeves, and eyeliner.
“I am the latest fashion,” one of Prince’s lyrics says. Here are the photos to prove it:
Performing in Detroit, Michigan. 1980.Leni Sinclair/Getty ImagesPrince in the Netherlands. 1981.Virginia Turbett/Redferns/Getty Images1981Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesAt New York's Ritz Carlton during his Dirty Mind tour. 1981. Richard E. Aaron/Redferns/Getty ImagesPrince embraces Apollonia Kotero in a scene from the film Purple Rain. 1984. Warner Brothers/Getty ImagesPrince celebrating his birthday and the release of Purple Rain. 1984.Paul Natkin/WireImage/Getty ImagesPrince performs at The Ritz in New York during the Purple Rain Tour. 1984. Ebet Roberts/Redferns/Getty Images1985 Michel Montfort/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesPrince performs live at the Fabulous Forum. 1985.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images1985Brian Rasic/Getty ImagesPerforming in Inglewood, California. 1985.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images1985 Michael Montfort/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesLondon. 1986. Michael Putland/Getty ImagesHit N Run-Parade Tour. 1986. Michael Putland/Getty ImagesOnstage in London. 1986. David Corio/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesMinneapolis, Minnesota. 1986. Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesLondon. 1986. Michael Putland/Getty ImagesJoking around with the media. 1986Ebet Roberts/Redferns/Getty Images1986 Rob Verhorst/Redferns/Getty ImagesStockholm, Sweden. 1987. Rob Verhorst/Redferns/Getty ImagesPrince arriving at the BBC Radio 1 studios in London. 1987. Dave Hogan/Getty ImagesStockholm, Sweden. 1987. Rob Verhorst/Redferns/Getty ImagesStockholm, Sweden. 1987.Rob Verhorst/Redferns/Getty ImagesLovesexy tour. 1988.Peter Still/Redferns/Getty ImagesMinneapolis. 1990. Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect/Getty ImagesCirca 1990. Kypros/Getty Images1990Frank Micelotta/Getty Images1991 MTV Video Music Awards.Frank Micelotta/Getty ImagesThe Netherlands. 1992. Rob Verhorst/Redferns/Getty Images1993Steve Eichner/Getty ImagesFirst Annual Vanity Fair Oscar Party. 1994.Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage/Getty Images1995 Mick Hutson/Redferns/Getty Images1995 Ian Dickson/Redferns/Getty Images1997Tim Mosenfelder/ImageDirect/Getty ImagesPrince with the Prince of Wales at a Versace/De Beers charity event in London. 1999.Photo by Anwar Hussein/WireImage/Getty ImagesPrince and Beyonce perform a medley of his hits during The 46th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. 2004.M. Caulfield/WireImage/Getty ImagesPrince and his wife, Manuela Testolini. 2004.Frank Micelotta/Getty ImagesPrince performs at Super Bowl XLI. 2007.Jed Jacobsohn/Getty ImagesRapper Ludacris, Prince, and actor Dave Chappelle attend the 2007 NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesMisty Copeland and Prince perform during his Welcome 2 America tour at New York's Madison Square Garden. 2011. Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty ImagesPerforming in the Netherlands. 2011. Brian Ach/WireImage for NPG Records 2011/Getty ImagesPrince performs with Mary J. Blige during the 2012 iHeartRadio Music Festival. Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Clear ChannelAt the 57th Annual Grammy Awards. 2015. Kevork Djansezian/Getty ImagesPrince speaks during the 2015 American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Kevin Mazur/AMA2015/WireImage/Getty Images
Want more Prince? Watch these videos paying tribute to the sorely missed singer:
After viewing these Prince photos, check out these 50 David Bowie photos guaranteed to make you miss him all over again. Then, see the rock and roll groupies who changed music history.
