RIP Prince...Another Legend Passes

Screencap of Prince from his movie Purple Rain

At this point in time it does appear that God is trying to create a super band as another music legend passed away in 2016.

Prince Rogers Nelson, one of the few people who could get away with being called by only a single name (and at one time just by a symbol) mysteriously passed away in the elevator of his Minnesota home at age 57. News sources such as Fox News are reporting that he died of the flu while other sources are stating flu-like symptoms as a possible cause.

Whatever the reason, it feels almost unbefitting of such a rock legend to die by something that used to get me out of school for a day or two. People can die from complications due to the flu, but you usually think of people from third world countries or someone in their 90's.

Prince may have been known for being a singer, but he was so much more. Once, when asked how many instruments did he know how to play, he responded, "Thousands." On his first album he is credited with playing 27 different instruments. Now while some people might think this is just boasting, Prince was actually able to back this up. When people think of guitar legends they think of names like Hendrix, Van Halen, Satriani, but Prince is also on the level of these greats. He also played the bass, the piano, drums, the Linn drum, and much more.

Also not known to everyone is that Prince was one of the greatest song writers of his generation. He had released 104 singles in his life, 27 of which hit number one on the music charts. What a lot of people don't know is that he would constantly write so much music that he would give it to other artists to use. He wrote a large portion of Morris Day & the Time's music, and music for Sheila E., Sheena Easton, Vanity 6, Stevie Nicks, The Bangles, Sinead O'Connor, Chaka Kahn, Madonna, Pattie LaBelle, Tom Jones, and Alicia Keys.

For The Time he wrote "Jungle Love". For Stevie Nicks he wrote the music for "Stand Back" and she based her lyrics of his hit song "Little Red Corvette". For the Bangles he wrote "Manic Monday". Sinead O'Connor covered his "Nothing Compares 2 U". Alicia Keys recorded his song "How Come You Don't Call Anymore". For Chaka Kahn he wrote "I Feel for You". He even wrote the entire soundtrack for Tim Burton's Batman.

He was the most overall successful music artist in the 1980's, and tenth most successful in the 1990's. Overall he sold over 100 million albums in his lifetime, won 7 Grammy's, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award. In 2004 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. "There are many kings…but there is only one Prince," said Alicia Keys when she inducted him in.

During a contract dispute with Warner Bros. Prince changed his name to the unpronounceable symbol know as Love Symbol #2 (pictured right). During this time he would be referred to as "The artist formerly known as Prince." He claimed that they took his name, trademarked it, and used it to make themselves money. Later he changed it back to Prince and would sign with Arista Records.

Anyone that lived through the '80s and/or '90s usually can name at least one song that they like even if they weren't a fan of Prince. "I Wanna Be Your Lover" was his first hit single and was released in 1979, but he had so many more. "1999", "Little Red Corvette", "When Doves Cry", "Purple Rain", "Raspberry Beret", "Kiss", "Batdance", "Partyman", "Thieves in the Temple", "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World", and more in '80s and '90s. This doesn't include songs like "Guitar" which shows off how good of a lead guitar player he was and "Musicology" which came out in the 2000's.

On February 4, 2007, Prince played the halftime show for Super Bowl XLI which many called the best halftime show ever. He performed "Let's Go Crazy", "Baby I'm a Star, "Purple Rain" and then performed cover songs of "We Will Rock You" by Queen, "All Along the Watchtower" by Bob Dylan, "Best of You" by the Foo Fighters, and "Proud Mary" by CCR. An estimated 140 million people watched the performance on TV.

He was so musically inclined that he had his whole house wired so he could record music from any room of his home whenever he felt inspired.

A lot of people didn't know that Prince was a philanthropist and supported many social awareness issues. He wrote a song called "Baltimore" after the murder of Freddie Gray and the riots that followed. He's donated millions of dollars anonymously to build libraries, help people start businesses, and save families from losing homes.

When asked why he never moved to Los Angeles or New York instead of living in Minnesota, he would cite that the state was his home and that it was where he belonged.

Another aspect of Prince's life that he was well known for was the amount of women he dated. Madonna, Carmen Electra, Apollonia, Kim Bassinger, Vanessa Marcil, Susana Hoffs, Misty Copeland, Ananda Lewis, Heidi Mark, and Marvin Gaye's daughter, Nona. His music was often centered around romance so it was no surprise that he found it easy to woo some of Hollywood's prettiest women.

With his death, it should be interesting now to see what the future holds for Prince's music. One of the oddities of his career was that he recorded so much music that he would produce albums that he would only keep for himself and lock away in a vault at his home. There's rumored to be hundreds of unreleased songs that people who helped him work on these songs said should be hits as well. He also recorded multiple music videos and made several movies that have yet to see the light of day. So with his death, the public could possibly see a flood of his work finally be released in the coming years.

Whether you're a fan of rock, R&B, pop, funk, or soul, Prince's work certainly reached you at some point. His work has inspired other music artists after him including Andre 3000, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Rihanna, and more. He even inspired the costumes of the Hamilton: The Musical.

RIP David Bowie

Screencap: David Bowie as Tesla in The Prestige

In the world of music thousands of people try to add their two cents into the world, but only a rare, select few ever get the chance to really change it. These rock stars are often a combination of music talent, likeable personality, style, and charisma...David Bowie had this all and more. He was one of the few music artists that could not only transcend music genres successfully, but also dive into the acting world without appearing to be a stunt casting.

Unfortunately, the world lost Bowie on the night of January 10th, 2016. He battled cancer for 18 months according to his Twitter account, before succumbing to it with family and friends at his bedside.

Starting out his solo music fame with "Space Oddity" in 1969, he became one of the pioneers of a new sub-genre of music called Glam Rock. Introducing his alter-ego Ziggy Stardust with his release of The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, the album was intended to be the soundtrack for a TV or film production of the same name, but never produced. Hits such as "Starman" and "Suffragette City" sprang from this album which Rollingstone Magazine ranked as the 35th best album of all-time.

Later on his Diamond Dogs album, he released the hit song "Rebel Rebel" which would go on to be one of the most covered songs of all-time. It was his good-bye to glam rock song. The song featured a riff that was reminiscent of songs by Rollingstones or even Iggy Pop. The song could even be cited as being a precursor to the Grunge Rock movement that would take place years later and fall under the category of early punk.

Not long after, Bowie would release "Fame" which would be the first time he broke onto the Billboard Hot 100 charts (pop music), hitting number one. Unknown to most people, he recorded this song with the help of John Lennon who received song writing credit, played guitar, and was the backing vocals to Bowie in this hit song.

In 1976, Bowie would dive into the world of acting as well, starring in The Man Who Fell to Earth with Rip Torn and Candy Clark. This would bolster his confidence in his acting abilities, leading him to star in movies throughout his career.

Before the end of the '70s, he would release other hit singles such as "Sound and Vision", "Heroes", and "John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)".

Not to be outdone, Bowie was even more successful in the '80s. He released singles that included "Ashes to Ashes" and "Fashion" before combining his efforts with Freddie Mercury of Queen for the hit song "Under Pressure", which would be one of the most significant songs of the decade and featured one of the most famous bass lines of all-time. The song regained fame after Vanilla Ice sampled from it for his hit song "Ice Ice Baby".

After "Under Pressure", Bowie collaborated with Bing Crosby to release one of the most iconic Christmas songs of all-time, "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy". To this day, it is hard to avoid this song every December. It solidified his status as one of the greatest music artists of all-time.

Less than a year later, Bowie released Let's Dance which would feature three hit singles, "Let's Dance" which would be accompanied by one of the most famous music videos ever, "China Girl", and "Modern Love". This is where he firmly planted his music in the New Wave genre with the platinum hit sensation.

In 1985, he would once again collaborate with a fellow musician, this time Mick Jagger, to release a cover of the song "Dancing in the Street". This song would chart in nearly every genre from rock to pop.

In 1986, he would star in the hit movie Labyrinth as Jareth the Goblin King. The movie would feature puppetry from the Jim Henson Workshop and would be the first major role for star actress Jennifer Connelly.

He would go on to collaborate with other music artists in the '90s as well, most famously with Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails for the single "I'm Afraid of Americans". Other collaborative works include "Hallo Spaceboy" with the Pet Shop Boys and "The Buddha of Suburbia" with Lenny Kravitz.

In the 2000's, Bowie would stay in the eyes of pop culture, appearing as himself in the movie Zoolander and winning an MTV Movie Award. He then would go onto his one of his most famous movie roles as Tesla in the Christopher Nolan movie, The Prestige which would also star Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Scarlett Johansson, and Michael Caine.

His last top ten hit was in 2013 with "Where Are We Now?".

Bowie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996, won two Grammy Awards, and was ranked the 23rd best singer of all-time by Rollingstone Magazine. In 1999, Bowie was made a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, but turned down being knighted in 2003 by the British Empire. In total he sold an estimated 140 million record albums.

Born as David Jones, he had to change his name to avoid confusion with Davey Jones of the Monkees. Bowie is survived by his wife, actress/model Iman; his son, director Duncan Jones; and daughter Alexandria.

15 Artists/Groups That Have Been Snubbed by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

With the recent announcement of the latest inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, there leaves a long list of music artists and groups that have been snubbed. The 2015 inductees include Green Day, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and Bill Withers. To be voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a music group or artist had to released their first album 25 years prior to nomination.

Here's a )))))))) groups/artists that have been snubbed, despite having waited the appropriate 25 years.

1. Nine Inch Nails: Having released Pretty Hate Machine in 1989, this Cleveland band's first album had four hit songs. Head Like a Hole, Sin, Something I Can Never Have, and Down in It. Since then the industrial metal band has poured out more hits that most bands will ever have in a lifetime. Other hits include Closer, The Perfect Drug, The Hand That Feeds, and Only.

Singer and writer Trent Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails (pictured above) and has been at odds with the corporate music world for years. He formed his own record label called Nothing Records in 1992, to release his own music without the interference of a major label telling him what he could and could not do. Under Nothing Records, he not only released the Nine Inch Nails albums, but also fellow industrial metal artist, Marilyn Manson. Nothing Records became defunct in 2004, but Reznor then formed Null Corporation in 2008 to release more Nine Inch Nails albums.

Reznor and Nine Inch Nails have not always been a favorite of the music industry. After giving away flash drives containing his music, for free at select concerts, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) sent cease and desist notices out to the fans who spread the music on the internet, despite the permission of the band and label. Reznor also found himself in a battle with Fox News, when on multiple occasions, they used Nine Inch Nails music on their programming, despite being told they weren't allowed to use any of Reznor's music.

2. Bon Jovi: The second biggest New Jersey rock act behind Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi released their first album in 1984. They have been snubbed by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the past five years.

With hits such as Livin' On a Prayer, In and Out of Love, Wanted Dead or Alive, and It's My Life, Bon Jovi has racked up a total of 100 million-plus record sales world-wide. Members Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora were elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009, but as a band, have yet to reach that distinction. The pop/rock group has been nominated for nine Grammy awards total.

3. The Cure: The English Goth-emo band has been snubbed by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for over a decade now. Releasing their first album in 1979, it wasn't until 1982, when The Cure released Pornography, that they finally started to gain momentum. Pornography was listed number 83 out of the top 100 "albums that changed the world" by Mojo Magazine.

Later on, they released some of the biggest hits of the '80s and '90s, including Boys Don't Cry, Just Like Heaven, Lovesong, Pictures of You, and Friday I'm in Love.

The Cure was one of the first alternative rock bands to chart, before alternative rock went mainstream. With the amount of hits they cranked out, they are still one of the best selling alternative rock bands of all-time.

4. Depeche Mode: The English electronic rock band first released Speak & Spell in 1981, which contained hit single Just Can't Get Enough. For the past eight years of eligibility, they have yet to even been nominated. Having sold over 100 million albums, they are one of the best selling rock bands in history.

Depeche Mode hits include Never Let Me Down Again, Personal Jesus, Enjoy the Silence, Policy of Truth, and Precious. They have been nominated for five Grammy awards and have released 53 singles that have charted on US and/or UK music charts. Q Magazine listed them as one of the top 50 bands "that changed the world."

Despite their success, that still continues 'til this day, Depeche Mode has received no love from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

5. Ozzy Osbourne: Formerly the lead singer of Black Sabbath, the band that laid the foundation for heavy metal, Ozzy has never been nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, despite having success in his solo years. Since leaving the hall of fame band in 1979, Ozzy recorded 11 studio albums that resulted in 34 singles.

Hits of Osbourne's include Crazy Train, Mr. Crowley, Bark at the Moon, Mama I'm Coming Home, and I Don't Wanna Stop. The Grammy award winning solo artist has earned the nickname "Godfather of Heavy Metal."

Despite his success, Ozzy will be forever known for his antics including biting the head off a dove after signing a record deal and biting the head off a bat on stage. He also has been accused by various Christian groups for promoting Satanism through his music, despite the fact that he's a practicing member of the Church of England.

6. Steve Miller Band: Forming in San Francisco in 1968, the acid-rock band has released 30 singles from their 18 studio albums. Their album Steve Miller Band's Greatest Hits 1974-1978 sold 13 million copies alone.

Steve Miller Band hits include The Joker, Rock'n Me, Fly Like an Eagle, and Jungle Love.

Despite their success, they have yet to be nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame despite being eligible for the past 21 years.

7. Deep Purple: Despite being eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the past 21 years and selling over 100 million albums worldwide, the band has only been nominated twice.

In 1975, Deep Purple was listed in The Guinness Book of World Records for being "the globe's loudest band" for a concert they played in 1972. They have been credited as one of the pioneers of hard rock and heavy metal along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath.

Deep Purple hits include Hush, Smoke on the Water, and Kentucky Woman.

One of the two years they were nominated, they were second place in the fan vote, with over a half of million votes. Various members of other legendary rock bands including Slash, Lars Ulrich, Geddy Lee, Gene Simmons, and Steve Lukhather have all lobbied unsuccessfully on behalf of Deep Purple.

8. Dick Dale: Achievements such as the hall of fame status, should have been a "no brainer," but 27 years after his being eligible, Dick Dale has yet to even have been nominated. The "King of Surfer Rock" was born out of Boston and comes from Lebanese descent.

The lefty guitarist, was known to string his guitar upside-down and has played with his original reverb and Showman amps since 1960.

His song Misirlou is one of the most famous rock songs in history. Let's Go Trippin' is often regarded by music experts as the first official surf rock song in history.

9. Duran Duran: Since 1981, the English new-wave band led the "second British invasion" and have sold over 100 million albums world-wide. They have won two Grammy awards and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the MTV Video Music Awards.

One of the lead bands to fully grasp the potential of the music video, Duran Duran filmed videos at exotic locations such as Antigua and Sri Lanka. They even had future movie director Russell Mulcahy shoot their videos for them.

Duran Duran hits include blockbusters such as Girls on Film, Hungry Like a Wolf, Rio, and The Reflex. In total, they released 39 singles and sold over 70 million albums. Despite their success, they have been eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 8 years, but have yet to be nominated.

10. Soundgarden: Forming in Seattle in 1984 and releasing their first album in 1988, Soundgarden became one of the giants to form the grunge rock movement along with Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains.

Their album Superunknown produced five hit singles, 2 Grammy's, and a "Best Metal/Hard Rock Video" for Black Hole Sun at the MTV Video Awards. Superunknown debuted number one on the Billboard 200 album chart and has been certified five times platinum.

Soundgarden hits include Black Hole Sun, Spoonman, Burden in my Hand, Blow Up the Outside World, and Live to Rise.

They have been nominated eight times total for a Grammy and their involvement with Sub Pop Records, is what inspired Kurt Cobain to convince Nirvana to sign with the legendary grunge label.

11. Dolly Parton: The country pop artist has been recording since 1959 and has released 106 singles over the years. Despite being in the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, she has yet to have been nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Parton's hits include Jolene, I Will Always Love You, 9 to 5, and Islands in the Stream.

She has earned eight Grammy's out of 46 nominations. Parton has had 25 RIAA certified gold and/or platinum albums, 25 songs that landed the number one spot in the Country Billboard charts (record for a female artist), 41 top 10 country albums, and over 100 million albums sold.

A multi-faceted performer, she has translated her music career into a stage, film, and a philanthropic career as well.

12. Dire Straits: The blues rock band from England, that released their first album in 1978, has been eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the past 11 years, but has yet to receive a nomination.

Their hit Sultans of Swing is a song that can be heard in any baseball stadium across America before and during games.

Brothers in Arms sold over 30 million albums alone and was the very first CD to sell over a million copies. They are one of the world's most commercially successful bands, with over 120 million albums sold.

Dire Straits' hits include Sultans of Swing, Money for Nothing, Walk of Life, Lady Writer, and So Far Away.

Over the years, they have won four Grammy's and have been nominated 9 times total.

13. Jan and Dean: Pioneers in the surf rock craze, over an eight-year period they released 26 hit singles. In collaboration with the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson they released hits such as Surf City and The Little Old Lady From Pasadena.

They have been eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the past 29 years, but have yet to receive one nomination. Despite this, they were elected to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008.

14. The B-52's: Releasing their first album in 1979, the B-52's ushered in the new wave scene into the mainstream. Their "guys vs. gals" vocals and the "call and response" style of music, has been a trademark of theirs over the years.

Their hits include Rock Lobster, Funplex, Love Shack, Roam, and Private Idaho.

15. Massive Attack: The first trip hop group to go mainstream, Massive Attack has two albums that are listed on Rolling Stone Magazine's "500 Greatest Albums of All-Time."

Eligible for their first nomination this year, Massive Attack was unable to gain a nomination for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Massive Attack hits include Unfinished Sympathy, Protection, Angel, Inertia Creeps, and Teardrop, which served as the theme song for the hit TV show House.

Without Massive Attack, artists/groups such as Portishead, Tricky, and the Sneaker Pimps would have had a harder time making it to the mainstream.