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While there’s plenty of rhythms to be enjoyed, it is Prince’s outro that will live in our memories forever. The song closes out Purple Rain and acts as the final piece of the gorgeously purple puzzle. I thought that’s exactly what the world needed.”
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Clapton had often cited the singer as one of the best guitarists the world has ever seen, noting ‘Purple Rain’ as the injection of energy rock and roll needed to stay alive, saying “at a time when I thought rock and roll was dead,” he continued: “This is someone who is a reincarnation of Little Richard, Jimi Hendrix and James Brown in one. The song has been routinely regarded as a seminal moment in rock’s history. However, if we’re talking about landmark moments, there is no bigger in the musician’s career than ‘Purple Rain’. Such was the diversity and tonal changes of Prince’s sound it would be idiotic not to note that each one has its place within his Royal Badness’ canon of work. There’s no doubt that any of the songs mentioned in our top ten list could have a viable spot near the top. These are Prince’s ten greatest guitar songs of all time. We’ve pawed through Prince’s extensive catalogue and are more than thrilled to bring you the ten times that the Purple One kicked things up a notch with his eccentric guitar skills.
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Ergo, Prince is one of the most underrated guitarists of all time. He would pick up and put down instruments with consummate ease, meaning many of his skills were blended seamlessly into his work. Of course, throughout his time in the limelight, Prince was never irrevocably attached to one style or genre. Likely better than anyone before him and since.
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While it’s easy to get lost in Prince’s pomp and pageantry, one must never forget that underneath it all, he was a searing, scything and scintillating guitarist, one that managed to not only steal the spotlight but integrate it into his holistic sound. The incredibly gifted performer was far from a dedicated axeman, but he is still regarded as one of the finest players of the instrument the world has ever seen. The famed singer and all-round musical impresario, the Purple One, AKA Prince, is far more than just a pop star.
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