Prince was a true musical genius. He proudly called himself a master of soul and funk, showing off his talent by writing, producing, and playing every instrument on his catchy and sometimes daring songs. His 1982 album 1999 (with hits like 1999, Little Red Corvette, and Delirious) gave fans a glimpse of just how wide his musical talent and creativity were. Michael Hill, writing for Rolling Stone, described the album as full of “inventive shocks and surprises” that kept listeners hooked.
When Prince starred in the movie Purple Rain, which was like an extended music video, he officially became a superstar. In the film, he played a guitar hero, and while his guitar skills were amazing, people didn’t always talk about how great he really was as a guitarist. It was only later, when videos of him playing explosive guitar solos on cover songs went viral, that fans and critics realized how special his guitar playing was. If you’re a music lover, you need to check these out!
One of the most exciting covers Prince ever played was Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry. Imagine this: it’s the third encore, the house lights are on, but Prince isn’t done yet. He smoothly transitions into Hollywood Swinging by Kool & The Gang and ends with Fantastic Voyage by Lakeside. While Prince’s guitar playing was always an important part of his own songs, like Purple Rain, his covers really showed off his incredible skills.
As music writer JP Trotter once said, “When Prince says, ‘Can I play my guitar?’ during Play That Funky Music, get ready to be amazed!” Fans probably remember the unforgettable moment when Prince performed with legends like Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Steve Winwood, and Dhani Harrison at the 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In that performance, his solo was so powerful that Jack Hamilton from Slate called it “murderous,” and Jody Rosen from NYT Magazine said it was “pure blood sport.”
Jack Hamilton, a media professor, believes that Prince could be the greatest guitarist since Jimi Hendrix. Like Hendrix, Prince didn’t just focus on flashy solos—his funky, rhythmic playing was just as impressive. Hamilton even compared Prince’s skill to that of an artist, saying he “wielded his instrument with the care of a paintbrush.” He pointed to the gritty guitar licks and smooth buildup in Sign O’ The Times as a perfect example of Prince’s mastery.
But why wasn’t Prince always recognized as a top guitarist? I think it’s because he was such an all-around genius—his ability to do everything overshadowed his guitar skills. Hamilton offers another reason: rock music is usually linked with guitars, while Prince’s roots were in funk and dance music. Because of this, guitar-focused magazines often overlooked him, something Hamilton calls “really, really stupid.”
Prince was known for being very protective of his music and image, which included limiting his performances online. But after his passing, his estate has allowed more of his videos to be available, and now fans can see just how amazing he was. From his Super Bowl halftime show to live concerts, there’s no shortage of proof that Prince was a guitar legend.
Walter Bernard, after watching Prince perform Play That Funky Music live at The Forum in LA in 2011, said, “Prince should always be mentioned whenever we talk about the greatest guitar players.” Justice Forcier added, “No stage lights, no fancy tricks, just a man and his band absolutely killing it.”
Rest in peace, Prince Rogers Nelson—a true master musician.
If you want to see more of his amazing performances, subscribe to his YouTube channel or check out his official website.
What do you think about Prince’s guitar skills? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
