For decades, the story of Prince’s 1978 debut album, For You, claimed he played 27 different instruments at just 19 years old. This sounds like magic, but it was actually a clever move by his record label to build a myth.
The famous list of 27 sounds big because it counts things like different types of keyboards or handclaps as separate instruments. In reality, Prince mastered about 13 distinct musical tools, which is still a massive feat for any teenager. He was a craftsman who spent every hour of his life practicing and learning how the studio worked.
You’ve Been Lied To About Prince
Fans have always known the “27 instruments” claim was a bit of hype from the record company. One person said they rolled their eyes at the marketing, but still loved him because he was clearly super talented. Another fan mentioned that Prince could play the main instruments at an elite level, and that is what truly mattered.
Even though people joked about the counts, Prince remained a mystery. Yet, he was the most interesting person of all. We know. He would pair spaghetti with orange juice and refuse to let his staff look him in the eyes. This weirdness was just one side of a man who was also a secret hero to many people.
Everything You Should Know About Prince
Prince spent his life helping others in secret, like sending a $50,000 check to an activist without leaving his name. He was a self-taught genius who changed his name to a symbol to reclaim his work. He even asked for more rain during his Super Bowl show to make the performance look more epic.
Prince Rogers Nelson was a man of total discipline who outworked every other artist in the music industry. He left behind thousands of songs and a legacy of being completely yourself, no matter how strange it seems. Follow Prince on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to see more of his legendary life and music.