Remembering Prince: The Purple One Plays Guitar Spotify Playlist

Today marks two years since the untimely death of Prince following an accidental overdose of prescription pain medication on this date in 2016. The Purple One was just 57 when he passed away, which brought an end to a truly singular and successful career creating some of the most memorable music of the past 40 years.

In honor of the Minnesota-native born Prince Rogers Nelson, this Saturday Stream installment presents an all-Prince Spotify Playlist. The songs making up the career-spanning collection showcase the extremely skilled talents Price possessed while playing guitar.

The 20-song set begins with two funky tracks recorded by 94 East, a Minneapolis-based band that helped launch Prince’s early career. “Just As Long A We’re Together” from the 1978 debut Prince album For You as well as a pair of songs from his 1979 self-titled follow-up further demonstrate his early guitar playing prowess.

There’s also “Lady Cab Driver” from his 1982 LP 1999 and several selections from 1984’s standout Purple Rain including such hits as the title track, “When Doves Cry” and “Let’s Go Crazy.” Prince can be heard alongside longtime associates and fellow Minneapolis natives The Time on “My Drawers” from the band’s 1984 album Ice Cream Castle. The playlist continues with the 1985 B-side “She’s Always In My Hair” and tracks from Prince’s 1987 album Sign o’ the Times, 1989’s Batman soundtrack, 1990’s Graffiti Bridge soundtrack and 1992’s Love Symbol LP.

Closing out the collection are three songs from Prince’s 2014 album with 3RDEYEGIRL PLECTRUMELECTRUM and a live performance of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” from the 2004 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony with Tom Petty, Steve Winwood and Jeff Lynne and others also on stage. Stream the playlist below: