by James Copher

Created on: May 23, 2008   Last Updated: March 16, 2011

Prince, a name once-mentioned, paints images of what the evolution chart of R&B and funk must undoubtedly look like.

Prince Rogers Nelson was born June 7, 1958 in Minneapolis Minn. That makes him 49. Prince has inexhaustible amounts of talent and energy. His love for the music has made him a target for critics and also for the machine of the record biz.

Prince has poured his talent into 31 studio albums that have produced over 35 Top 10 songs in various charts. For me to list all of these would just take up too much space and would be overkill. If you haven't heard these hits, just turn on the radio. If not one of his original songs plays, then one that he has written , produced, or arranged soon will.

At a young age Prince discovered that being a little controversial didn't hurt. It gained him some attention and people were intrigued by his stage shows and his wild antics. He formed backup bands that consisted of many cultural influences and the formula that he created worked. The Revolution was the most notable of the backup bands, but there was also the New Power Generation, and The Time with lead singer Morris Day was also a Prince creation. Other bands that Prince formed over the years included Vanity 6, Appolonia 6, and Sheila E's band. All of these bands had some marketable success, but never the super stardom that Prince enjoyed.

Prince will always be remembered as the lead in the movie "Purple Rain". The film was loosely based on Prince's own life and gave the public an idea of how talented this young man was. Audiences that would never have listened to a funk song were now finding Prince's brand of Funk Rock and Roll and opening themselves up to worlds of music that most had never treaded on. The album and the tour that followed still rank as one of the most successful ventures ever in the industry.

Prince has won several awards from different organizations. The most notable are his Oscar, Golden Globe and his Grammys. He also was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. His trophy case has some Razzies, too  - not everything Prince has touched has turned to Gold or Platinum.

I actually have watched "Under the Cherry Moon" and found it a guilty pleasure. "Graffiti Bridge" was also not the worst thing that has ever graced the screen.
I didn't want to list albums, but I just feel that some of these titles are so iconic that I have to mention them here. Also, this will you give you the chance to reminisce, or, if you are a younger reader, the chance to find some of this music for your collection.

This is a small sample of what I consider to be best works. Now remember he has 31 albums, so I'm leaving some out. These are in order of my personal opinion.
1. Purple Rain
2. Sign O' the Times
3. 1999
4. Around the World in a Day
5. Controversy
6. Diamonds and Pearls
7. Dirty Mind
8. Love Sexy
9. Graffiti Bridge
10. For YOU

Prince's achievements are not limited to music, but it is his music that will be his legacy.

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