The Year Prince Died: April 21, 2016

The legendary artist Prince Rogers Nelson, better known as Prince, sadly died April 21, 2016 at his home at Paisley Park in Chanhassen, Minnesota. He was 57 years old. Prince was a highly influential musician and songwriter, whose music blazed trails and pushed boundaries in popular music of the 1980s, with hits such as ‘Purple Rain’, ‘When Doves Cry’, and ‘Kiss’ becoming staples in popular music.

Life and Career

Prince was born on June 7, 1958 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Attending Minneapolis Central High School, Prince became featured in a student band called 94 East, and upon graduating in 1976, Prince strove to forge a place for himself in the music industry. He established his own label, Torriano Records, and created his first album ‘For You’ in 1978. His breakout success came in 1982 with ‘1999’ and the chart-topping single ‘Little Red Corvette”, which put Prince on the map as one of the leading figures in popular music. The same year brought Prince’s magnum opus, ‘Purple Rain”, which featured the classic hits ‘When Doves Cry’ and ‘Let’s Go Crazy’, among others. The album and film catapulted him to superstar status and made him an icon of 1980s music. Prince pursued an ambitious touring schedule to his last days, selling out venues worldwide.

Cause of Death

The cause of Prince’s death was an accidental overdose of Fentanyl, a powerful and highly addictive narcotic, leading to a coroner’s report of an accidental overdose. Prince had a longstanding history of suffering from sporadic bouts of extreme and often debilitating pain in his hips, due to a history of performing in high heels, hence the need for prescription painkillers. However, the Coroner’s report also stated that Prince was battling an addiction to painkillers, yet was vigorously attempting to get clean.

Legacy

Prince sold over 100 million records worldwide, and with his innovative blend of funk, soul, and rock music, he influenced a generation of musicians and music fans alike. His memory lives on through his music and his numerous fans, who continue to revere his creative genius and influence on popular music. He will be remembered for generations as an iconic musical inspiration and a champion of artistic freedom.

Conclusion

Prince Rogers Nelson: June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016. The life of Prince was a colourful and prolific one, and his legacy lives on forever in the hearts and minds of those who continue to understand and appreciate his innovative music. His death on April 21, 2016 at the age of 57 was a sudden and unexpected tragedy, and yet he continues to leave an indelible mark upon popular culture and music.