A Musician Full of Surprises
Prince was known for his extraordinary talent, bold fashion choices, and unforgettable stage presence. However, there was much more to him than his biggest songs and dramatic performances, as hard as they are to ignore. Here are five incredible things you might not have known about this iconic performer.
1. He Played Many Instruments
If you thought Prince's singing was amazing, wait until you hear he could also play an impressive range of instruments, including guitar, piano, drums, and bass. On his debut album, For You, he performed nearly all the instrumental parts himself!
2. His Name Was Actually Prince
No, Prince wasn’t just a stage name created for the music industry; he was actually born Prince Rogers Nelson, with his father naming him after a jazz group called the Prince Rogers Trio. The distinctive name definitely came in handy when he became a superstar.
3. He Wrote Songs for Other Artists
Though Prince shone brightly on the stage himself, he was also a very successful songwriter who wrote several great songs for other performers. These included “Manic Monday” by the Bangles and “Nothing Compares 2 U,” which became a major hit for Sinéad O’Connor.
4. He Once Worked as a Dancer
Before his music career reached its greatest heights, Prince briefly danced with a Minnesota dance company. His natural sense of rhythm and movement later became a major feature of his live performances, where he became known for his energetic dance routines while wearing remarkably high-heeled shoes.
5. He Had a Famous Vault
Prince kept a large collection of unreleased recordings inside a secure vault at his Paisley Park estate. The collection reportedly contained songs, concert recordings, and other projects created over several decades. What we wouldn't give to make those official!
