Which band is better?
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PrincePrince was born Prince Rogers Nelson in 1958 in Minneapolis, MN; he died in 2016. He is considered one of the greatest musicians of his time, known for his wide vocal range and his falsetto voice. He produced his own albums and created what is known as the Minneapolis sound. He also played many instruments, often playing all of them on his albums. His first albums were released in the late 1970’s and he achieved initial success with his first release, Prince. It contained the hit “I Wanna Be Your Lover” which sold over 1 million copies and reached #11 on the charts.
His release of 1999 in 1982 featured the hits “1999” and “Little Red Corvette”; the album earned him international recognition as well as his first Grammy nomination. In the mid-80’s, Prince started referring to his backing band as The Revolution. In 1984, he filmed the semi-autobiographical movie and soundtrack, Purple Rain, which would cement him as an international superstar. The soundtrack album sold more than 13 million copies and was #1 for 24 consecutive weeks. He won an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score and the film grossed more than $68 million in the US. Several songs were hits, including “When Doves Cry” and “Let’s Go Crazy” both of which reached #1, at the same time the film and album were #1. He earned two Grammys for the album. Through the rest of the 1980’s and into the 2000’s, he released many more albums and in 1993 he famously changed his name to the symbol from his album release of the same year. He died in 2016 amid suspicious circumstances relating to a drug overdose.
His release of 1999 in 1982 featured the hits “1999” and “Little Red Corvette”; the album earned him international recognition as well as his first Grammy nomination. In the mid-80’s, Prince started referring to his backing band as The Revolution. In 1984, he filmed the semi-autobiographical movie and soundtrack, Purple Rain, which would cement him as an international superstar. The soundtrack album sold more than 13 million copies and was #1 for 24 consecutive weeks. He won an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score and the film grossed more than $68 million in the US. Several songs were hits, including “When Doves Cry” and “Let’s Go Crazy” both of which reached #1, at the same time the film and album were #1. He earned two Grammys for the album. Through the rest of the 1980’s and into the 2000’s, he released many more albums and in 1993 he famously changed his name to the symbol from his album release of the same year. He died in 2016 amid suspicious circumstances relating to a drug overdose.
The Grateful DeadThe Grateful Dead is known as the first “jam” band, noted for long instrumental and improvisational music at live shows. They formed in 1965 in Palo Alto, CA with members Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, Phil Lesh and Bill Kreurzmann, joined by Mickey Hart in 1967. They are also known for their devoted fan base known as “Deadheads” and as pioneers of the “psychedelic” movement of the 1960’s. Their core years were 1967-1995 starting with their 1965 release The Grateful Dead. Their “Europe ‘72” tour was well received along with its future album release of the same name.
In 1973, they formed their own record label, Grateful Dead Records. Their first commercial success came in 1970 with the releases of Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty, which features the chart topping song “Truckin’”. While they continued to release studio albums, their real popularity came from live shows. Unlike most bands, their performances were largely improvised, with no pre-made setlist. Their live performances featured long periods of jamming – improvised instrumental passages. They’ve played over 2,400 concerts during the course of their career, followed devotely by Deadheads, many of which followed them on tour. They are also well known for their merchandising, particularly their famous logos and tie-dyed t-shirts.
Their concerts feature a central hub of activity for buying and selling called “Shakedown Street”. Jerry Garcia died in 1995, a major blow to the band and what many thought would be the end. Over the years, there have been several spin-off bands featuring various members of The Dead, such as The Other Ones, The Dead and Dead & Company.
In 1973, they formed their own record label, Grateful Dead Records. Their first commercial success came in 1970 with the releases of Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty, which features the chart topping song “Truckin’”. While they continued to release studio albums, their real popularity came from live shows. Unlike most bands, their performances were largely improvised, with no pre-made setlist. Their live performances featured long periods of jamming – improvised instrumental passages. They’ve played over 2,400 concerts during the course of their career, followed devotely by Deadheads, many of which followed them on tour. They are also well known for their merchandising, particularly their famous logos and tie-dyed t-shirts.
Their concerts feature a central hub of activity for buying and selling called “Shakedown Street”. Jerry Garcia died in 1995, a major blow to the band and what many thought would be the end. Over the years, there have been several spin-off bands featuring various members of The Dead, such as The Other Ones, The Dead and Dead & Company.
