Prince Rogers Nelson, who passed away on Thursday, may have been the greatest popular musician of our times. He was certainly the most multi-talented. He could play every instrument he touched to impossibly high levels, recording many of his albums completely solo.

His grasp of musical styles was astonishing, spanning rock, soul, jazz, funk, disco, gospel and sensitive singer-song writing, blending them all into something uniquely his own. His singing voice was incredible, shifting gears from rasping soul to sweet falsetto to screaming heavy metal roar. He was an innovative producer, a masterful band leader and an audacious songwriter.