Prince works as a musician.
Prince Rogers Nelson ( June 7 , 1958 -- April 21 , 2016 ) was an American singer-songwriter , actor , multi-instrumentalist , philanthropist , dancer and record producer . He was a musical innovator who was known for his eclectic work , flamboyant stage presence , extravagant dress and makeup , and wide vocal range . He won seven Grammy Awards , an American Music Award , a Golden Globe Award , and an Academy Award for the film Purple Rain . In 1993 , while in a contractual dispute with Warner Bros. , he changed his stage name to , an unpronounceable symbol also known as the `` Love Symbol '' , and began releasing new albums at a faster pace to remove himself from contractual obligations . The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum , located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland , Ohio , recognizes and archives the history of the best-known and most influential artists , producers , engineers , and other notable figures who have had some major influence on the development of rock and roll .