Happy 50th birthday to his royal purple badness - the sexy, ultra talented, amazing, musical genius - Prince.

He was born Prince Rogers Nelson but is known worldwide simply as Prince. In 2004, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Some of his lyrics -

My name is Prince and I am funky
My name is Prince, the one and only
I did not come 2 funk around

from - My Name is Prince; Album: Love Symbol

How beautiful do the words have 2 be
Before they conquer every heart?
How will U know if I’m even in the right key
If U make me stop before I start?

If I came back as a dolphin
Would U listen 2 me then?
Would U let me be your friend?
Would U let me in?
U can cut off all my fins
But 2 your ways I will not bend
I’ll die before I let U tell me how 2 swim

from - Dolphin; Album: The Gold Experience

And about the name change, he has been quoted as saying this.

The first step I have taken towards the ultimate goal of emancipation from the chains that bind me to Warner Bros. was to change my name from Prince to the Love Symbol. Prince is the name that my Mother gave me at birth. Warner Bros. took the name, trademarked it, and used it as the main marketing tool to promote all of the music that I wrote. The company owns the name Prince and all related music marketed under Prince. I became merely a pawn used to produce more money for Warner Bros. I was born Prince and did not want to adopt another conventional name. The only acceptable replacement for my name, and my identity, was the Love Symbol, a symbol with no pronunciation, that is a representation of me and what my music is about. This symbol is present in my work over the years; it is a concept that has evolved from my frustration; it is who I am. It is my name.

I have said time and time again how much I love this man and his music. His songs have gotten me through some really tough times. I know every movie - Purple Rain, Under the Cherry Moon, Sign of the Times, Graffiti Bridge - word for word. And may even break out into song (and pantomime) during some of the numbers. His talent is amazing.

Tags: Announcement, Prince //