Prince Rogers Nelson of blessed memory was an American actor, multi-music-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, record producer, and music director who was known for his electrifying performances, highly engaging stage acts, unique dress style, and extravagant facial makeup style which stood him out from any who was also famous in his time.
He made music in a wide range of variety which includes R&B, funk, rock, soul, new wave, and pop. This made him sell over 100 million records worldwide as he had a song or songs for everyone and anyone, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time with 8 Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, 6 American Music Awards, and an Academy Award for the 1984 film Purple Rain.
Prince – Wiki, Sister
Prince was born on June 7, 1958, in Minneapolis to Mattie Della and John Lewis Nelson who have African-American origins. His family was one where music has a celebrated place in their daily lives. His father was a songwriter who also played the piano, while his mum couldn’t be an exception as a Jazz singer. In fact, his father called him Prince because he wanted him to do everything he couldn’t do. Indeed, he achieved more and must have definitely done all his father couldn’t do while he was alive, perhaps in music.
Prince has a younger sister named Tyka who was born on May 18, 1960. Just like her brother, Tyka also had an interest in music as they enjoyed support from their music-inclined parents. This encouragement and playful support from his sister and parents might have been the essential ingredients that propagated his writing his first song when he was still very young at 7 on his father’s piano. The song was titled Funk Machine.
He attended Minneapolis Bryant Junior High and then Central High School where he was active in football, baseball, and of course, basketball like all Americans. He was good as he got steady playing time with Central’s junior varsity basketball team. As an adult, he continued to play the game recreationally.
The love between Mattie Della and John Lewis Nelson soon waned as they got divorced. His mother remarried and this had Prince staying with his stepfather Hayward Baker at some point. However, Prince didn’t get along with him much as he was often switching homes between his mother’s place (stepfather), his biological father, and his neighbors, the Anderson family who he befriended their son Andre.
Beginning of his Music Career
A relative of his, Pepe Willie, formed a band in 1975 which was named “94 East.” Prince played guitar in the band and co-wrote the song Just Another Sucker with Pepe Willie. They recorded several tracks which later formed the album the Minneapolis Genius – The Historic 1977 Recordings.
He signed his first management contract at age 17 with Owen Husney, a Minneapolis businessman who helped him create a demo at Sound 80 Studios in Minneapolis under the guardianship of producer/engineer David Z. This demo recording went public and resulted in several record companies including Warner Bros. Records, A&M Records and Columbian Records showing interest in the young lad.
With Husney’s help and approval, he signed for Warner Bros. Records which gave him creative control of 3 albums and ownership of publishing rights. This was a good deal and the beginning of greater things to come his way. His first album named For You was recorded in Sausalito, California at Record Plant Studios. He continued making music with Warner Bros. Records over the years though he left at a time but returned in later years.
Height
Prince, while he lived, stood at a height of 5 feet 2.22 inches or 158 cm. He was quite below the average height for most American men and was thought of to be 5 feet 2 inches. But autopsy reports after his death reported he was an inch taller.
Prince’s Wife, Gay Vibes, Son, Family
Prince was associated with many beauties like Anna Fantastic Madonna and a handful of others. He got engaged to Susan Melvoin in 1985 but they never made it down the aisle. He then got married to his backup singer and dancer Mayte Garcia on February 14, 1996. They had a 15 years age difference between them. Their marriage produced a son named Amiir Nelson who was born on October 16, 1996, but unfortunately, he died a week later on October 23 with the cause of his death being Pfeiffer syndrome.
The loss of Amiir and Garcia’s miscarriage took a toll on the marriage as they got divorced in the year 2000. Prince remarried quietly in 2001 to Manuela Testolini but still got divorced again in May 2006 after having separated earlier in 2003. He possibly remained unmarried until his death.
Cause of Death, Net worth
Weeks prior to his death, Prince was said to have had influenza and dehydration but didn’t take proper medication as he felt he was alright. This was against medical advice though.
On April 21, 2016, a call was made from his home seeking medical help for someone who was unconscious. Emergency responders rushed down to Prince’s home and found him in an elevator unconscious. CPR was performed but he didn’t come back. A paramedic later said he had been dead for 6 hours prior to their coming. There were no signs of suicide, foul play, or any of such things. A press release from the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office in Anoka County on June 2, 2016, later announced that the cause of his death was an overdose of opioids.
Prince has an estimated net worth of 300 million dollars.
