The credits on his early albums say it all about the man's incredible talent: "All songs produced, arranged, composed and performed by Prince".
I'm utterly knocked for six by this. His music is a large part of the soundtrack to my younger days... seeing Purple Rain at the flicks several times, buying the vinyl album and taping it for the car and then wearing that tape out... listening to Dirty Mind in my bedroom at home and hoping my mum wouldn't be able to hear what the lyrics were... watching Lovesexy 88 on the telly, openmouthed at the spectacle of it all. I never had a chance to see that spectacle for myself -- always hoped I would one day, but now it's gone forever.
Heartbroken.