Prince

Since he was 18 years old, Prince Rogers Nelson has been making musical history. Born in Minneapolis, he released his first album, For You, in 1978—playing most of the instruments himself. The “Soft and Wet” became a modest hit. He followed with critically acclaimed funk/soul discs like Dirty Mind and Controversy, but it was not until his 1984 film and album, Purple Rain, that he became a global megastar. The songwriter, producer and musician who plays over 20 instruments, is responsible for acts like The Time, Vanity 6, and Sheila E. He has also written for artists like Sheena Easton, Tevin Campbell and the Bangles. Tipper Gore began the campaign to put explicit lyric warning labels on music after finding her daughter listening to his “Darling Nikki.” Prince continues to record and tour to sold out-stadiums, though he has stopped playing some of his racier songs since becoming a Jehovah's Witness.The twice-divorced musician has won seven Grammys and was inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, the first year he was eligible.