The venerable R&B/rock star Prince is among the hopefuls picked as a nominee for the 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This is the first time he has been eligible for induction. In order to be a nominee an artist must be 25 years past their first major recording.
Minneapolis native Prince (real name: Prince Rogers Nelson) released his debut album, For You, in 1978. Since then he has been a prolific superstar with a long list of hits, including "Adore," "Little Red Corvette," "Controversy," When Doves Cry," "Diamonds & Pearls," "Kiss," "1999", "Let's Go Crazy" and so many more. Not too mentioned he has produced, performed, and or written songs for the Bangles, Apollonia 6, Shelia E and rapper Benzino (yes, that corny motherfucker who co-owns The Source) among others.
Prince also can be heard playing guitar on Common's CD Electric Circus. He currently has a new DVD in stores titled Prince Live at the Aladin Las Vegas. A music video was released from the DVD - a performance clip of "Gotta Broken Heart Again." You can catch that video on BET's Midnight Love - my favorite late-night video show.
I don't know what the criteria is for an artist to be finally inducted, but it would be wise for the RRHOF voting committee to induct Prince into the Hall of Fame. I mean, let's keep it real - Prince is a musical genius. He is the Beethoven of R&B, and it's about time that we show "The Purple One" some love. Prince is the one who really put the "R" in R&B.
We'll see in December - that's when the inductees will be announced.
And speaking of R . . .
Article comments
1 - Al Barger
Not to worry, Mr. Fitzgerald. Mr. Nelson is as unanimous a choice as could be. Pretty much anyone interested in popular music would consider him just about as obvious a choice for the Hall of Fame as Chuck Berry or the Beatles. I'm already looking forward to his induction ceremony jam session.
Note also the nomination on this same ballot of Lynyrd Skynyrd. It's a damned crime that they weren't inducted years ago.
Also, got to give a shout out to our Hoosier hometown hero John Mellencamp. In the early days before Mr. Nelson became popular, Mellencamp was known to hold a tape player up to his stage mic trying to turn his audience on to Prince's music.
2 - Eric Olsen
I'd say there is about zero question that Prince wil be a first ballot inductee - he is everything the hall stands for: artistic and commercial success, longevity, and goddamned weirdness.
3 - Macktatic
Prince is my hero hes the best singer ever like how can u now like when doves cry like come on people hes the "Prince" of music
4 - Danielle Nicholas
I use to be teased in school back in the 90's for loving Prince so much. I knew then that he was as special to the world as the music that he provides for it. I am honored to tell the world that I am in love with Prince, his music and everything that he stands for. I have no shame in it and I never wil! To:Prince, I love you with all of my heart and soul. You are a magnificent man and I hope to have the pure pleasure of meeting you someday soon. Your ever-faithful friend and fan, Danielle Nicholas, from Richmond, Virginia
5 - Demetrice King
His music will and has been marked as a blueprint from which other sounds were made. A pioneer and I personaly pray that he lives for many years to come to continue to make excellent music and history. And from a very big fans stand point I dream of having his baby. But on the real keep on doing what your doing, cause what God sets forth no one can derail,betray, shadow, or duplicate. Your biggest fan
Demetrice King in Dallas,Tx