8 Of Prince’s Most Memorable Live Music Moments

With Prince‘s death announced earlier this morning, the music world has lost one its most enigmatic figures.

The Minneapolis-born maestro approached his music and art, and life, in a very singular way. He pioneered his own sub-genre, the Minneapolis Sound, decided to change his name to a self-designed symbol, and, when he became a Jehovah’s Witness later in life, went around the suburbs of his hometown door-knocking.

Most importantly though, he was a consummate musician and performer. The following list contains some of the best of Prince’s live work.

That Halftime Super Bowl Show In 2007

Hosted in tropical Miami, this particular Superbowl was looking a bit grim given the incessant heavy rain, high wind and grey skies.

Yet many consider this the best Super Bowl performance of all time. Performing on a stage shaped as his self-designed love symbol, which was tiled with very slippery material, Prince (and his performers), dressed in high-heels, came at it head-on.

After playing three covers – including Foo Fighters‘ Best of You, which even surprised the Foo Fighters – Prince ended his medley set with Purple Rain, playing the song on his love symbol guitar. What’s more, everything came together as the Miami rain was lit up by the purple lights of the stage.

You can watch a short retrospective of the show here, which includes excerpts from the show, or watch the uninterrupted show in full, below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjUzpCslLh0

This ‘Do Me Baby’ From His Last Show In Atlanta 

This fan-shot snippet from what turned out to be his last ever show displays the remaining power in Prince’s voice all these years on. It pierces through the video, despite it being recorded on a mobile and in a massive theatre with hundreds of other people.

A Funky Led Zeppelin Cover, Complete With Shreds 

Here’s Prince, in a suit, playing a funk-infused version of Led Zeppelin‘s Whole Lotta Love, with an extended solo, like it’s no man’s business. Oooft.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCKr8SdW3ys

That Time Michael Jackson, James Brown And Prince Got On Stage Together

This is ridiculous: You couldn’t get more talent per square metre if you tried. Funnily enough, a third of this video is Prince dancing topless to whoops and cheers, but at least the three of them got in some rocking beforehand.

This Full Prince Concert, Circa 1982

Filmed before the release of his amazing album 1999, this concert features his backing band, the Revolution – including the fez-wearing keyboardist. The footage itself might not be so great – black and white – but the audio recording is certainly not out of shape.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAYQUbh8HHA

Half Of This Prince Concert, Filmed In 1988

Unfortunately the second half of this concert has been blocked on copyright grounds, but you can still enjoy this footage of Prince in his prime. Includes lots of twirling around and a weird, art-house science-fiction vibe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etMqfDsFIKw

This Crazy Cover With Gnarls Barkley

“Hey Gnarls, wanna come sing that cool song of yours while I play the guitar in my iconic, ridiculous fashion through the whole song?” “Sure, no problems fam.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfpkbjDwpsY

This ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ Rendition At The 2004 Rock Hall of Fame Induction

A host of musical talent, including Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne of the Traveling Wilburys, got up on stage to play a cover of this song for George Harrison’s posthumous induction into the Rock Hall of Fame. Harrison’s song, Dhani, was also there. At the end, Prince joined the classic rockers, in their ill-fitting suits, wearing his own immaculate suit dressed in a red bowler hat, and belted out an amazing guitar solo.

RIP Prince. Nothing has and ever will compare.

Gallery: Prince’s Life In Pictures