Play It Prince

Black History Month honors all of color and all accomplishments and contributions made to society, from entertainment in all forms to academia to pen and paper to the everyday men and women making a silent difference in the lives of those who admire.

On Set List, February recognizes the music industry and generational impacts in so many genres.

In this entry, I am highlighting Prince and his inspiration to those following him.

June 7, 1958 - April 21, 2016

Prince is forever known for his unique and one of a kind persona, impressive vocal range including profound peak falsetto notes, and being a multi-instrumentalist, 

When Prince passed and the news spread, car windows were rolled down and anything by the one and only blared in his honor - his contribution to music.

Genres considered - Funk, Rock, R&B, Pop, Neo-Psychedelia, Progressive Soul

Instruments played - Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Bass, Drums

Initial releases -

For You (1978) 

Prince (1979)

Critical acclaim -

Dirty Mind (1980)

Controversy (1981)

1999 (1982)

Best known -

Purple Rain (1984) - Recorded with the new band, the Revolution

Purple Rain was also a soundtrack to the film of the same name

No. 1 on Billboard 200 for six months

Academy Award for the soundtrack

Solo after the Revolution -

Sign o' the Times (1987)

Considered to be Prince's greatest work 

Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame (2017)

No. 93 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (2003)

(No. 93 in 2012 ... No. 45 in 2020)

Certified Gold in Australia, Germany, New Zealand, & Switzerland

Certified 2x Gold in France

Certified Platinum in the Netherlands, UK, & U.S.

Prince - The Artist Formerly Known as Prince - The Artist - Prince 

Discography - 39 albums

Song List - 500 to in excess of 1,000

Over 150 million records sold worldwide - one of the best selling music artists of all time

Honors -

Grammy President's Merit Award

American Music Award for Achievement and of Merit

Billboard Icon Award

Golden Globe Award

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2004)

Inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame (2006)

Inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame (2016)

Inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame (2022)

(Wikipedia)

"When Doves Cry"

Lead single on Purple Rain