Prince Rogers Nelson, known professionally as Prince, was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Born on June 7, 1958, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Prince became one of the most influential and versatile musicians of his generation, blending rock, funk, jazz, disco, and pop into his unique sound. This timeline highlights significant events and milestones in Prince's life and career.
Main Milestones
Birth
June 7, 1958
Prince Rogers Nelson was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, named after his father's jazz combo, the Prince Rogers Trio. His early life laid the foundation for his future musical talents.
Debut Album
1978
Prince released his debut album, "For You", at the age of 19. Although it reached #163 in the US, it marked the beginning of his professional music career and contained his first Hot 100 entry, 'Soft and Wet'.
Rise to Fame
1980-1982
Prince developed a large fan base with the releases of "Dirty Mind" (1980) and "Controversy" (1981), both of which were somewhat controversial due to their sexual and religious themes. His fifth album, "1999" (1982), sold over 3 million copies and included hits like 'Little Red Corvette' and 'Delirious'.
Purple Rain
1984
The rock musical movie "Purple Rain" was released, along with its soundtrack featuring hits 'When Doves Cry', 'Let’s Go Crazy', and 'Purple Rain'. The soundtrack sold over 10 million copies and spent 24 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, catapulting Prince to mainstream success.
Contract Termination
1999
Prince formally terminated his contract with Warner Brothers, leading to a period of independent releases and a change in his professional name.
Induction into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
2004
Prince was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognizing his significant contributions to music.
Super Bowl Performance
2007
Prince gave an unforgettable halftime performance at the Super Bowl, showcasing his live performance skills.
Return to Warner Brothers
2014
Prince returned to Warner Brothers, releasing "Art Official Age" and "PlectrumElectrum", the latter featuring backing by the female trio 3rdEyeGirl.
Death
April 21, 2016
Prince was found dead at his Paisley Park estate due to an accidental overdose of fentanyl, a powerful opioid. His death shocked the music world and left a lasting legacy.
Posthumous Memoir
2019
Prince's memoir, "The Beautiful Ones", was released, including text, photographs, and original lyrics, providing a deeper look into his life and career.
