The music world has been stunned by the shock news of Prince’s sudden death aged 57 at his home recording studio.



His early work struggled to capture the “Prince sound”, but this was an instant classic, that spanky bassline oozing sex. “Controversy” was his first hit

It cuts short a prolific music career that started with him as a teenager somehow talking his way into a record contract with Warners where, as an unknown, he was unprecedentedly given total control.



By “1999” he was already starting to explore psychedelics and the double album showed he was keen to plug into a white audience via pop-rock influences, very clear on hit single “Little Red Corvette”

“Kiss” was just one of several planetary hits in the 80s and 90s which established him as an artist everyone wanted to hear, and play with. The self-announced musical genius could play anything, could compose, and drive a recording studio as well. He produced movies, generously supported other artists with songs,