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Prince in Performance, From the 1980s to the Present

Emma Martin |
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Photo: Brian Rasic/Getty Images

In his 57 years, Prince accomplished more than anyone could hope to achieve in several lifetimes, starting his music career as a teenager, reaching platinum at 21, and never relenting after that. He went through constant reinvention in both his music and his style, which harnessed a gender-bending exuberance that always dripped of sex. Vulture assembled 42 of Prince’s defining looks, in his performances from the beginnings of his music career in the early 1980s to the present, in a portrait of an artist who was rarely the same, but always himself.

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At the Bottom Line in New York on February 15, 1980. At the Bottom Line in New York on February 15, 1980.

At the Bottom Line in New York on February 15, 1980.

Photo: Waring Abbott/Getty Images
May 29, 1981. May 29, 1981.

May 29, 1981.

Photo: Virginia Turbett/Getty Images
March 22, 1981. March 22, 1981.

March 22, 1981.

Photo: Ebet Roberts/Getty Images
At the Palladium in New York on December 2, 1981. At the Palladium in New York on December 2, 1981.

At the Palladium in New York on December 2, 1981.

Photo: Waring Abbott/Getty Images
At Rosemont Horizon in Chicago on December 10, 1984, during his Purple Rain tour. At Rosemont Horizon in Chicago on December 10, 1984, during his Purple Rain tour.

At Rosemont Horizon in Chicago on December 10, 1984, during his Purple Rain tour.

Photo: Richard E. Aaron/Getty Images
At Rosemont Horizon in Chicago on December 10, 1984, during his Purple Rain tour. At Rosemont Horizon in Chicago on December 10, 1984, during his Purple Rain tour.

At Rosemont Horizon in Chicago on December 10, 1984, during his Purple Rain tour.

Photo: Richard E. Aaron/Getty Images
1985. 1985.

1985.

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
At the Fabulous Forum in Inglewood, California, on February 19, 1985. At the Fabulous Forum in Inglewood, California, on February 19, 1985.

At the Fabulous Forum in Inglewood, California, on February 19, 1985.

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
At the Fabulous Forum in Inglewood, California, on February 19, 1985. At the Fabulous Forum in Inglewood, California, on February 19, 1985.

At the Fabulous Forum in Inglewood, California, on February 19, 1985.

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
June 15, 1985. June 15, 1985.

June 15, 1985.

Photo: Brian Rasic/Getty Images
In Hamburg, January 1, 1986. In Hamburg, January 1, 1986.

In Hamburg, January 1, 1986.

Photo: ullstein bild/Getty Images
At Wembley Arena, London, August 1, 1986, on the Hit n Run-Parade Tour. At Wembley Arena, London, August 1, 1986, on the Hit n Run-Parade Tour.

At Wembley Arena, London, August 1, 1986, on the Hit n Run-Parade Tour. 

Photo: © Michael Putland/Getty Images
At Wembley Arena, London, August 1, 1986, on the Hit n Run-Parade Tour. At Wembley Arena, London, August 1, 1986, on the Hit n Run-Parade Tour.

At Wembley Arena, London, August 1, 1986, on the Hit n Run-Parade Tour. 

Photo: Michael Putland/Getty Images
At Wembley Stadium, London, August 13, 1986. At Wembley Stadium, London, August 13, 1986.

At Wembley Stadium, London, August 13, 1986.

Photo: Dave Hogan/Getty Images
At Wembley Arena in London on July 28, 1988. At Wembley Arena in London on July 28, 1988.

At Wembley Arena in London on July 28, 1988.

Photo: David Corio/Getty Images
January 1, 1990. January 1, 1990.

January 1, 1990.

Photo: Frank Micelotta Archive/Getty Images
Celebrating his birthday and the release of Purple Rain at 1st Avenue in Minneapolis on June 7, 1984. Celebrating his birthday and the release of Purple Rain at 1st Avenue in Minneapolis on June 7, 1984.

Celebrating his birthday and the release of Purple Rain at 1st Avenue in Minneapolis on June 7, 1984.

Photo: Paul Natkin/Get...

Celebrating his birthday and the release of Purple Rain at 1st Avenue in Minneapolis on June 7, 1984.

Photo: Paul Natkin/Getty Images
In Minneapolis, Minnesota, April 30, 1990. In Minneapolis, Minnesota, April 30, 1990.

In Minneapolis, Minnesota, April 30, 1990.

Photo: Frank Micelotta Archive/Getty Images
At Wembley Arena, London, July 1, 1990, on Nude Tour. At Wembley Arena, London, July 1, 1990, on Nude Tour.

At Wembley Arena, London, July 1, 1990, on Nude Tour.

Photo: Michael Putland/Getty Images
At Wembley Arena, London, July 1, 1990. At Wembley Arena, London, July 1, 1990.

At Wembley Arena, London, July 1, 1990.

Photo: Frank Micelotta Archive/Getty Images
At Wembley, London, August 22, 1990. At Wembley, London, August 22, 1990.

At Wembley, London, August 22, 1990.

Photo: Graham Wiltshire/Getty Images
At Earl's Court, London, June 15, 1992. At Earl's Court, London, June 15, 1992.

At Earl's Court, London, June 15, 1992.

Photo: Scan Room/Getty Images
At Ahoy in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on July 6, 1992. At Ahoy in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on July 6, 1992.

At Ahoy in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on July 6, 1992.

Photo: Foto Rob Verhorst/Getty Images
London, January 1, 1993. London, January 1, 1993.

London, January 1, 1993.

Photo: Michael Putland/Getty Images
At Radio City Music Hall in New York on March 24, 1993. At Radio City Music Hall in New York on March 24, 1993.

At Radio City Music Hall in New York on March 24, 1993.

Photo: Al Pereira/Getty Images
Performing wearing 'Slave' tattoo, on 'The Ultimate Live Experience' tour at Wembley Arena, March 4, 1995. Performing wearing 'Slave' tattoo, on 'The Ultimate Live Experience' tour at Wembley Arena, March 4, 1995.

Performing wearing 'Slave' tattoo, on 'The Ultimate Live Experience' tour at Wembley Arena, March 4, 1995.

Photo: Peter Still/Getty Images
At the Ultimate Live Experience, March 1, 1995. At the Ultimate Live Experience, March 1, 1995.

At the Ultimate Live Experience, March 1, 1995.

Photo: Mick Hutson/Getty Images
At Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California, on October 10, 1997. At Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California, on October 10, 1997.

At Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California, on October 10, 1997.

Photo: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images
At the San Jose State Event Center in San Jose, California, on April 19, 1997. At the San Jose State Event Center in San Jose, California, on April 19, 1997.

At the San Jose State Event Center in San Jose, California, on April 19, 1997.

Photo: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images
At the 46th Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on February 8, 2004. At the 46th Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on February 8, 2004.

At the 46th Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on February 8, 2004.

Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
During the American Idol Season 5 Finale at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California, on May 24, 2006. During the American Idol Season 5 Finale at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California, on May 24, 2006.

During the American Idol Season 5 Finale at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California, on May 24, 2006.

Photo: Vince Bucci/Getty Images
Performing during half-time at Super Bowl XLI at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, February 4, 2007. Performing during half-time at Super Bowl XLI at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, February 4, 2007.

Performing during half-time at Super Bowl XLI at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, February 4, 2007.

Photo: ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images
At the 2007 NCLR ALMA Awards held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on June 1, 2007. At the 2007 NCLR ALMA Awards held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on June 1, 2007.

At the 2007 NCLR ALMA Awards held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on June 1, 2007.

Photo: Vince Bucci/Getty Images
At 'One Night ... Three Venues' hosted by Prince and Lotusflow3r.com held at NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE on March 28, 2009. At 'One Night ... Three Venues' hosted by Prince and Lotusflow3r.com held at NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE on March 28, 2009.

At 'One Night ... Three Venues' hosted by Prince and Lotusflow3r.com held at NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE on March 28, 2009.

Photo: Kristian Dowling/Getty...

At 'One Night ... Three Venues' hosted by Prince and Lotusflow3r.com held at NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE on March 28, 2009.

Photo: Kristian Dowling/Getty Images
At The Forum in Inglewood, California, on May 29, 2011, on the 'Welcome 2 America' Tour. At The Forum in Inglewood, California, on May 29, 2011, on the 'Welcome 2 America' Tour.

 At The Forum in Inglewood, California, on May 29, 2011, on the 'Welcome 2 America' Tour.

Photo: Jordan Strauss/Getty Images
At Ahoy in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on July 8, 2011 on the 'Welcome 2 Europe' tour. At Ahoy in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on July 8, 2011 on the 'Welcome 2 Europe' tour.

At Ahoy in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on July 8, 2011 on the 'Welcome 2 Europe' tour.

Photo: Brian Ach/Getty Images
At the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, on June 30, 2011. At the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, on June 30, 2011.

At the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, on June 30, 2011.

Photo: BERTRAND GUAY/Getty Images
At Madison Square Garden in New York City on February 7, 2011, on the 'Welcome 2 America' tour. At Madison Square Garden in New York City on February 7, 2011, on the 'Welcome 2 America' tour.

At Madison Square Garden in New York City on February 7, 2011, on the 'Welcome 2 America' tour.

Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
2012. 2012.

2012.

Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
At the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on February 10, 2013. At the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on February 10, 2013.

At the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on February 10, 2013.

Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
At the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 19, 2013. At the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 19, 2013.

At the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 19, 2013.

Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
At the 2015 American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, on November 22, 2015. At the 2015 American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, on November 22, 2015.

At the 2015 American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, on November 22, 2015.

Photo: Jeff Kravitz/AMA2015/Getty Images
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