Dearly Beloved: LIFE's Best Prince Photos

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life.”

Prince invoked those words at the beginning of his song Let’s Go Crazy, which opened Purple Rain (both the movie and the album). Even though Prince had been making records for years before 1984’s Purple Rain, that release established him as both a major music star and also a singular one.

In his prolific career Prince released 39 studio albums and five live albums, and while the recorded music has brought joy to millions, his greatest work of art may have been his persona. He was a musician who carried himself like some sort of high priest. He managed to look like he was about to do something amazing even before he had done anything.

So it’s no surprise that still images of the music-maker have a special power. Prince is the subject of many photos in the LIFE picture collection, and two of those images–one from the Purple Rain tour and another of him playing the guitar in 1985—are among the best-sellers in the LIFE Print Store.

Most of the photos in this collection are of Prince working his magic on stage. But the photo at the end of this gallery shows Prince, face covered with a jacket, attempting to get away from photographers. Despite being a master of public image, he was not always ready for his closeup.

Prince in concert, 1985.

DMI

Prince At The Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, 1986.

American musician Prince (1958 – 2016) performs on stage during a pre-tour concert at the Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, California, May 30, 1986