Roger Nelson.

In the late 1970s, the winter was in full swing as usual in the state of Minnesota and especially, Minneapolis, its largest city. During the course of the bitterly-cold winter, Roger Nelson, a 19-year-old young man wanted to practice music with his high school buddies. But the other young men were not in any mood for music in that gloomy weather.

They were only interested in what most young adults of that time wanted to do; turn into couch potatoes before TV all day, get cozy with some girls while playing “house” or simply brood around home all day while waiting for spring to replace winter.

Roger Nelson however decided to go all alone. All through the winter, the young man pushed himself to the limits as if his life depended on it. He tried his hands on about 27 different musical instruments. By the end of the winter, Roger had mastered them all. Then, he went to a local studio where he single-handedly produced a “demo” tape. 

With this “demo” tape in hand, Roger Nelson packed some bags, got into a Greyhound bus to bid Minnesota farewell. This was a time when many black singers and musicians were trooping mainly to the “Mecca” of black entertainers, Motown Records in Detroit. But not this young man.

He went to Hollywood where the “big operators” in terms of music studios, operated. The moment he got down from the bus, Roger proceeded immediately to visit the studios and to give out copies of his tape. Afterward, he decided to wait for responses.

He did not have to wait long. Four studios got in touch with him and expressed interest in giving him a recording contract. Most individuals in such a circumstance would have jumped up excitedly in joy and even grabbed the contract papers to sign without reading it. But not Roger Nelson.

In place of excitement, he began to lay a condition for each studio. He either was permitted to play all the necessary instruments and be designated as the producer of the album or else, he would not sign any contract. To the stunned and angry executives of each of these studios who, usually were known for their tall egos, the young man had a nerve. Of course, they threw him out!

Roger Nelson was undaunted. He continued to bid his time. That was until Warner Brothers came along and obliged him. Promptly, he went to work.

And the resulting album which was released in 1979 was titled “I wanna be Your Lover”. The studio executives were ecstatic in their excitement and strong approval for the album which was immediately projected to be a hit.

They were absolutely right!

The song went straight to number one on all the charts. But before it was released to the market at all, the young singer laid down another rule; his real name, Roger Nelson must never appear on the album. He chose to be known as Prince, the album title!

I Wanna be Your Lover