American pop music superstar Prince has died.
His representative, Yvette Noel-Schure, told the Associated Press that the performer was found dead at his home near Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was 57 years old.
The singer and songwriter was widely praised as one of the most inventive musicians of his time. James Brown, the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix were among the artists that influenced him.
Prince was treated at a hospital last week. He was reportedly suffering from the flu.
Prince’s hits included "Little Red Corvette," ''Let's Go Crazy" and "When Doves Cry." The Minneapolis native began to gain fame in the late 1970s. His popularity continued to grow through the following years with such albums as "1999" and "Purple Rain."
I’m Caty Weaver.
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Who was Prince?
Born: Prince Rogers Nelson, named after Prince Roger Trio, a jazz band his father performed with
When: June 7, 1958
Where: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Died: April 21, at his home in Paisley Park, a Minneapolis suburb
Aliases: Briefly used others names, including a symbol O(+>, which led to him often being referred to as "the artist formerly known as Prince"
Debut album: For You, 1978
Several hit albums and songs, including: albums 1999 and Purple Rain, which was later made into a movie, Sign O' the Times, The Black Album; songs Little Red Corvette, Kiss, Raspberry Beret, Emancipation and When Doves Cry
Career: Sold more than 100 million records, won seven Grammy awards, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, performed during 2007 Super Bowl XLI halftime show
Known for: His songs and albums often created controversy for their sexually charged lyrics
