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 
Lovesexy tour. 1988.Peter Still/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 ImagesWant 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.
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