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 Images
Prince in the Netherlands. 1981.Virginia Turbett/Redferns/Getty Images
1981Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
At New York's Ritz Carlton during his Dirty Mind tour. 1981. Richard E. Aaron/Redferns/Getty Images
Prince embraces Apollonia Kotero in a scene from the film Purple Rain. 1984. Warner Brothers/Getty Images
Prince celebrating his birthday and the release of Purple Rain. 1984.Paul Natkin/WireImage/Getty Images
Prince performs at The Ritz in New York during the Purple Rain Tour. 1984. Ebet Roberts/Redferns/Getty Images
1985 Michel Montfort/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Prince performs live at the Fabulous Forum. 1985.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
1985Brian Rasic/Getty Images
Performing in Inglewood, California. 1985.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
1985 Michael Montfort/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
London. 1986. Michael Putland/Getty Images
Hit N Run-Parade Tour. 1986. Michael Putland/Getty Images
Onstage in London. 1986. David Corio/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Minneapolis, Minnesota. 1986. Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
London. 1986. Michael Putland/Getty Images
Joking around with the media. 1986Ebet Roberts/Redferns/Getty Images
1986 Rob Verhorst/Redferns/Getty Images
Stockholm, Sweden. 1987. Rob Verhorst/Redferns/Getty Images
Prince arriving at the BBC Radio 1 studios in London. 1987. Dave Hogan/Getty Images
Stockholm, Sweden. 1987. Rob Verhorst/Redferns/Getty Images
Stockholm, Sweden. 1987.Rob Verhorst/Redferns/Getty Images
Minneapolis. 1990. Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect/Getty Images
Circa 1990. Kypros/Getty Images
1990Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
1991 MTV Video Music Awards.Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
The Netherlands. 1992. Rob Verhorst/Redferns/Getty Images
1993Steve Eichner/Getty Images
First Annual Vanity Fair Oscar Party. 1994.Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage/Getty Images
1995 Mick Hutson/Redferns/Getty Images
1995 Ian Dickson/Redferns/Getty Images
1997Tim Mosenfelder/ImageDirect/Getty Images
Prince with the Prince of Wales at a Versace/De Beers charity event in London. 1999.Photo by Anwar Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images
Prince and Beyonce perform a medley of his hits during The 46th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. 2004.M. Caulfield/WireImage/Getty Images
Prince and his wife, Manuela Testolini. 2004.Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
Prince performs at Super Bowl XLI. 2007.Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
Rapper Ludacris, Prince, and actor Dave Chappelle attend the 2007 NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Misty Copeland and Prince perform during his Welcome 2 America tour at New York's Madison Square Garden. 2011. Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images
Performing in the Netherlands. 2011. Brian Ach/WireImage for NPG Records 2011/Getty Images
Prince performs with Mary J. Blige during the 2012 iHeartRadio Music Festival. Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Clear Channel
At the 57th Annual Grammy Awards. 2015. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Prince 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.
Established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together a dedicated staff of digital publishing veterans and subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science. From the lesser-known byways of human history to the uncharted corners of the world, we seek out stories that bring our past, present, and future to life. Privately-owned since its founding, All That's Interesting maintains a commitment to unbiased reporting while taking great care in fact-checking and research to ensure that we meet the highest standards of accuracy.
John Kuroski is the editorial director of All That's Interesting. He graduated from New York University with a degree in history, earning a place in the Phi Alpha Theta honor society for history students. An editor at All That's Interesting since 2015, his areas of interest include modern history and true crime.
