Prince opened up about his childhood in an interview on PBS (on April 27 and 28), sharing that his memories weren’t always golden. Teased as a child, Prince took advantage of the piano his father left behind when he split and became the rock icon we know today.

Prince was born Prince Rogers Nelson in 1958, and used his troubled family life as an inspiration to teach himself music. Prince attended the Minnesota Dance Theatre but,  in high school, he and a friend joined a band with Prince’s cousin called Grand Central. With Prince’s initial role on piano and guitar, and eventually vocals, he then began producing the arrangements for the band.

The band Grand Central eventually evolved into Champagne and, by 1976, he made a demo tape with producer Chris Moon. Moon, who introduced him to Owen Husney of The High Spirits, helped Prince produce a high-quality demo and helped him start contacting major labels. Eventually, Warner Bros. Records signed the star we know today.

Do you think music classes should be made more available in school for troubled kids such as Prince?

[photo: Jimi Hughes]

[photo: Robert Whitman]