Publication: Teen Magazine [US]
Date: February 1985
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Title: "Prince: His Purple Reign Over Pop"
Written By: Staff

Discovering the soft-spoken man behind the music is no easy task. Prince is a reclusive rocker who's reluctant to share himself with his public. But the clues are there in his first feature film, Purple Rain, which was released last year. It's obvious to many that this powerfully emotional movie is autobiographical and sheds some light upon Prince's background and perplexing personality. There are even more clues within the metaphorical lyrics of his rhythm and blues based music.

This enigmatic prince of rock superstars translates a lot of his inner feelings into his music, and many of these feelings are tied in with his upbringing.

Twenty-six-year-old Prince was born on June 7, 1958 to parents who were immersed in a music world. His father, a jazz musician, gave him the name Prince Rogers Nelson and he was a profound influence on Prince's intense interest in music.

Prince's passion for music goes back to his early childhood. He remembers: "At 5 years old, I sneaked in to see my father performing at a matinee in a Minnesota dance hall as my mother drove by to give him a message. I couldn't believe it--people were screaming, having a great time; I loved the excitement."

After his parents separated and his father moved out of the house, Prince began to pursue his musical interest in earnest. His father had left behind a piano that Prince previously wasn't allowed to touch. This became the first of over 20 instruments that he'd learn to play as he explored his musical realm. He had a natural ability with new instruments; he'd learn by watching other people play them and imitating their actions.

Prince's troubled home life led him to move in with one relative after another, and finally, at 16, he moved in with his close friend, Andre Cymone. Andre's mother fixed up the basement for him, which became his creative castle for several years.

With no job after graduating from high school and little to do, the young musician filled his time writing songs in the basement--sometimes three or four a day. But his dedication to music didn't end there. When he wasn't songwriting, he was playing ith the band he'd formed with Andre, which was originally called "Grand Central" and later changed to "Champagne."

Eventually Prince struck a deal with the owner of a recording studio owner and became involved with his first manager, Owen Husney.

Armed with Prince's demo tape of three 12-minute songs (on which Prince sand and played all the instruments), Mr. Husney went to Los Angeles to find his new client a recording contract. Prince's talent as a future recording artist was recognized immediately and soon he signed with Warner Brothers records.

His debut album, For You, attracted some attention, but only hinted at Prince's potential. His second album, Prince, went gold (hitting sales of 500,000 copies), and featured his smash single, "I Wanna na Be Your Lover." His third album, Dirty Mind, went gold as well as his 1981 release, Controversy. Then in late 1982, Prince release, the hugely successful 1999, which sold nearly 3 million copies. It contained several hits, including "Little Red Corvette" and "Delirious." And with his next album effort, Purple Rain, Prince burst onto the film scene by giving his audience his first feature-length movie, Purple Rain.

This dramatic film helped catapult this regal rocker into a seemingly larger-than-life star status--interesting considering Prince barely nudges the five-foot mark when it comes to height. Audiences were intrigued by Prince's mysterious personality and masterful music that he showcased in Purple Rain. They were curious to know yet more about this mysterious new prince of rock.

There seems to be no end to Prince's talents. This rock superstar's musical abilities have earned him critical acclaim and his flamboyant style has drawn widespread attention. But even though his misty presence has served to shield the true Prince from his admiring subjects, one thing's clear to his fans: Prince is one magical musician who seems to have been born to the royal purple when it comes to rock!