Desert Sun article about Prince

[gaypalmsprings]

Moments in Prince history

Maggie Downs • The Desert Sun • April 10, 2008

Prince, the Grammy Award-winning, Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer, has provided the soundtrack of our lives. But he's also given us some unforgettable memories - here's our top 10 favorite moments of his purple reign:
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1. The born identity: Prince Rogers Nelson is born in Minneapolis, Minn., in 1958 to a pianist and a singer. He is named after the Prince Rogers Trio, his father's jazz band. As a boy he is called Skipper.

He is later known as an unpronounceable symbol, aka "The Artist Formerly Known as Prince."

2. Prince ruins music buying for kids everywhere: His 1984 song "Darling Nikki" prompts Tipper Gore to found the Parents Music Resource Center. The center enacted the mandatory use of a warning label ("Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics") on the covers of records that have been judged to contain content unsuitable for minors.

3. Oops, he did it again: In 1985, after the smash-hit Purple Rain Tour, Prince announces he will discontinue both live performances and music videos. His self-imposed ban ends that same year with a video for "Raspberry Beret."

4. Beat it: Two of music's biggest stars nearly collide in 1987, when Prince and Michael Jackson plan a duet for the the title track of MJ's album "Bad." Creative differences ensue and Michael Jackson goes on to record the hit solo.

5. Vicki Vale: Prince provides the soundtrack for 1989's "Batman." It spawns a worldwide hit in "Batdance," Prince's first single to be issued on CD. When "Batdance" becomes the No. 1 song on the U.S. charts, the runner-up position goes to Bobby Brown's "On Our Own" from "Ghostbusters 2."

6. Booty is in the eye of the beholder: It's a rear view when Prince wears buttless yellow pants to the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards for his performance of "Gett Off."

Chances are his pants are not leather; Prince is a vegan and has been voted one of the world's sexiest vegetarians.

7. Hoop dreams: Prince is the subject of a famous "Chappelle's Show" sketch called "Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories," during which Murphy recalls the time he met Prince at a nightclub wearing a blouse like a figure-skater. According to Murphy's story, Prince then challenges him on the basketball court, still wearing the blouse and high-heeled shoes, and beats Murphy and his friends. In a later MTV interview, Prince denied wearing the shirt, but confirmed "the whupping's true."

8. He got game: Prince performs at the Super Bowl XLI half-time show in Miami. The performance consists of three songs from "Purple Rain," along with cover versions of "All Along the Watchtower," "Proud Mary" and the Foo Fighters' song "Best of You."

Coincidentally, Miami has rain that day, which is lit purple during the performance.

9. He never meant 2 cause u any sorrow: Prince is sued in 2006 by his landlord, Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer. The singer allegedly violated the terms of his lease by painting the 10-bedroom house purple and adding his symbol to the property.

10. Hip-hop, he don't stop: Years of getting down finally take their toll. In February 2008, Prince reportedly undergoes a hip replacement. This means no more platform shoes for the tiny dancer.

[brycerosen]

I thought the hip surgery thing was just a rumor?