Timeline Prince: Purple Rain

Multi-instrumentalist, producer and showman — Prince from Minneapolis to Purple Rain, the symbol years and the Super Bowl in the rain.

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Dashed left edge = started before this timeline · Dashed right edge = still ongoing

Prince: Purple Rain 18

1958 Prince born in Minneapolis Prince Rogers Nelson Son of a jazz pianist and a singer.
1977 Prince signs with Warner Bros. Creative control Signs at 19 with the right to produce his own records.
1978 Prince releases For You Debut album He plays all 27 instruments himself.
1980 Prince releases Dirty Mind Minneapolis sound A lean, provocative album that defines the Minneapolis sound.
1982 Prince releases 1999 Breakthrough With 1999 and Little Red Corvette, his breakthrough.
1984 Prince releases Purple Rain Album and film With When Doves Cry — number one for 24 weeks.
1984 Prince's Purple Rain film released Box office hit A semi-autobiographical film shot in Minneapolis.
1985 Prince's Darling Nikki leads to parental advisory labels PMRC Tipper Gore's campaign starts after hearing the song.
1985 Prince wins an Oscar Best Original Song Score For Purple Rain.
1987 Prince releases Sign o' the Times Double album Often seen as his masterpiece.
1989 Prince releases the Batman soundtrack Batdance A number one album and single.
1993 Prince changes his name to a symbol The Love Symbol In a fight with Warner Bros. he writes slave on his cheek.
1996 Prince releases Emancipation Free from Warner A triple album celebrating the end of his contract.
2000 Prince takes back his name Publishing deal expires Becomes Prince again.
2004 Prince inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame While My Guitar Gently Weeps His guitar solo at the ceremony becomes legendary.
2007 Prince plays the Super Bowl halftime show Purple Rain in the rain Plays Purple Rain in pouring rain in Miami.
2007 Prince plays 21 nights at the O2 Arena London A record run of shows in London.
2016 Prince dies at Paisley Park Aged 57 Dies at his Minnesota studio complex.