Artist ‘Prince,” Dead at 57

Prince playing at Coachella 2008. Image-Public Domain
Prince playing at Coachella 2008. Image-Public Domain

Rock icon, “Prince,” who’s music career spanned over four decades, died on Thursday at the age of 57, his publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure, confirmed on Thursday.

The cause of the seven-time Grammy award performer is still unknown and under investigation. He was found not breathing at his Paisley Park compound in Chanhassan, Minnesota on Thursday morning. Prince had reportedly been suffering from a flu-like illness since April 7th, and had been admitted to the Trinity  Moline Medical Center on April 15th after his plane made an emergency landing at the Quad-City International Airport. He was treated for approximately three hours for symptoms of severe dehydration.

The following night, Saturday, Prince made an appearance for mere minutes at a dance party held at his home.

When police and first responders arrived at his home, they attempted CPR, but were ultimately unsuccessful, and the performer was pronounced dead at 10:07 am.

Prince, who’s full name was Prince Rogers Nelson, debuted his recording career in 1978 with the release of “For You.” That was followed in 1980 and 1981 with the release of “Dirty Mind” and “Controversy.” Fame would find Prince the following year when he released his album, “1999.”[xyz-ihs snippet=”adsense-body-ad”]

Two years later, in 1984, Prince would make his Hollywood debut with the block-buster movie “Purple Rain.” The soundtrack to that movie would win an Academy Award for the best original score.

His racy lyrics kept his fans coming back for more. Through his career, he released Top 10 hits like “Little Red Corvette,” “When Doves Cry,” “Let’s Go Crazy,” “Kiss,” “1999”” and Sign O’ the Times.”He continued to release albums, but after becoming a Jehovah’s Witness, his music toned down and the lyrics that rocketed him to fame were toned down.

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Prince fought with Warner Bros for control over his music, and would often perform with the word “Slave” written on his face. When he broke with the company in 1996, he would release his album “Emancipation.”

Of his passing, President Obama said, “As one of the most gifted and prolific musicians of our time, Prince did it all. Funk. R&B. Rock and roll. He was a virtuoso instrumentalist, a brilliant bandleader, and an electrifying performer.”

Prince was born to Jazz musicians parents in Minneapolis on June 7th, 1958.[xyz-ihs snippet=”Adversal-468×60″]