15 fascinating facts about Prince

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    1. Prince’s full name is actually Prince Rogers Nelson: he’s named after his father, John Lewis Nelson, whose stage name was Prince Rogers. Prince’s father performed as a jazz musician in the popular group Prince Rogers Trio. “I named my son Prince because I wanted him to do everything I wanted to do,” Nelson said in a 1991 interview.
    2/16 1. Prince’s full name is actually Prince Rogers Nelson: he’s named after his father, John Lewis Nelson, whose stage name was Prince Rogers. Prince’s father performed as a jazz musician in the popular group Prince Rogers Trio. “I named my son Prince because I wanted him to do everything I wanted to do,” Nelson said in a 1991 interview.
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    2. He told Rolling Stone magazine in 1985 that he was once so poor, he would stand outside McDonalds and smell food because he couldn't afford to eat it.
    3/16 2. He told Rolling Stone magazine in 1985 that he was once so poor, he would stand outside McDonalds and smell food because he couldn't afford to eat it.
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    3. Prince was married twice and had numerous relationships: He was romantically connected to many actresses, including Madonna, Kim Basinger, Sheila E., Carmen Electra and more. He was engaged to Susannah Melvoin in 1985. Prince’s two marriages were to Mayte Garcia and Manuela Testolini. He was not married when he passed away.
    4/16 3. Prince was married twice and had numerous relationships: He was romantically connected to many actresses, including Madonna, Kim Basinger, Sheila E., Carmen Electra and more. He was engaged to Susannah Melvoin in 1985. Prince’s two marriages were to Mayte Garcia and Manuela Testolini. He was not married when he passed away.
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    4. Despite his numerous relationships, Prince only had one child: Boy Gregory was born in 1996 to Prince and Mayte Garcia. He died a week after he was born of Pfeiffer syndrome.
    5/16 4. Despite his numerous relationships, Prince only had one child: Boy Gregory was born in 1996 to Prince and Mayte Garcia. He died a week after he was born of Pfeiffer syndrome.
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    5. Prince wrote the song Nothing Compares 2 U, which was made famous by Sinead O'Connor. It was about the sister of his bandmate, Wendy. The above photo shows his handwritten version of Purple Rain.
    6/16 5. Prince wrote the song Nothing Compares 2 U, which was made famous by Sinead O'Connor. It was about the sister of his bandmate, Wendy. The above photo shows his handwritten version of Purple Rain.
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    6. In 1995 he changed his name to the unpronounceable symbol 0{+> (also known and copyrighted as Love Symbol #2) as a way of striking back against his label, Warner Bros, who he blamed for low sales.
    7/16 6. In 1995 he changed his name to the unpronounceable symbol 0{+> (also known and copyrighted as Love Symbol #2) as a way of striking back against his label, Warner Bros, who he blamed for low sales.
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    7. Prince doesn't believe in time: "Your magazine probably won't print this," Prince said in response to a question about his youthful appearance, "but I don't believe in time. I don't count. When you count, it ages you."
    8/16 7. Prince doesn't believe in time: "Your magazine probably won't print this," Prince said in response to a question about his youthful appearance, "but I don't believe in time. I don't count. When you count, it ages you."
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    8. Prince was just blocks away from John Lennon's murder in December 1980.
    9/16 8. Prince was just blocks away from John Lennon's murder in December 1980.
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    9. Prince played guitar on Madonna's Like a Prayer - but you wouldn't know, because he wasn't credited.
    10/16 9. Prince played guitar on Madonna's Like a Prayer - but you wouldn't know, because he wasn't credited.
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    10. He went door-to-door for Jehovah's Witnesses: Under the religious influence of his friend and mentor, former Sly and the Family Stone bassist Larry Graham, Prince knocked on doors, proselytising on behalf of Jehovah's Witnesses. "Sometimes people act surprised," he told The New Yorker in 2008, "but mostly they're really cool about it."
    11/16 10. He went door-to-door for Jehovah's Witnesses: Under the religious influence of his friend and mentor, former Sly and the Family Stone bassist Larry Graham, Prince knocked on doors, proselytising on behalf of Jehovah's Witnesses. "Sometimes people act surprised," he told The New Yorker in 2008, "but mostly they're really cool about it."
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    11. Spaghetti and orange juice was once “one of his favorite meals,” Purple Rain director Albert Magnoli told Spin magazine in 2009, who watched him order the strange combination once.
    12/16 11. Spaghetti and orange juice was once “one of his favorite meals,” Purple Rain director Albert Magnoli told Spin magazine in 2009, who watched him order the strange combination once.
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    12. He fired a crew member for making eye contact: An anonymous Prince employee said, "No crew members were allowed to look at him or talk to him. I literally saw him fire a guy for looking at him. He just said, 'Why is that guy looking at me? Tell him to leave.'"
    13/16 12. He fired a crew member for making eye contact: An anonymous Prince employee said, "No crew members were allowed to look at him or talk to him. I literally saw him fire a guy for looking at him. He just said, 'Why is that guy looking at me? Tell him to leave.'"
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    13. He took out a nationwide personal ad: In December 1993, ads in several national magazines showed an obscured photo of Prince accompanied by the text, "Eligible bachelor seeks the most beautiful girl in the world to spend the holidays with."
    14/16 13. He took out a nationwide personal ad: In December 1993, ads in several national magazines showed an obscured photo of Prince accompanied by the text, "Eligible bachelor seeks the most beautiful girl in the world to spend the holidays with."
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    14. Prince had a Willy Wonka moment: In 2006, Universal hid 14 purple tickets inside his album. Fans who found it were invited to attend a private performance at his home.
    15/16 14. Prince had a Willy Wonka moment: In 2006, Universal hid 14 purple tickets inside his album. Fans who found it were invited to attend a private performance at his home.
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    15. In 2010 he said: "The Internet's completely over." He refused to stream songs on Spotify and sell them on iTunes.
    16/16 15. In 2010 he said: "The Internet's completely over." He refused to stream songs on Spotify and sell them on iTunes.

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Today it has been a year since the tragic passing of musical legend Prince.

We take a look back at some of the most fascinating and quirky facts about the super star.

 

Photos: Getty Images