reporting tonight. dean, thank you. the rock 'n' roll hall of fame says that prince "rewrote the rule book, forging a synthesis of black funk and white rock that served as a blueprint for cutting edge music in the '80s." vladimir duthiers has the man and his music. ♪ this is what it sounds like when doves cry ♪ >> reporter: he was a prodigy, an icon, and a provocateur. earning him the nickname "his royal badness" with songs like "darling nikki" about a one- night stand prompting warning labels on albums for the first time. ♪ ♪ he sang, wrote, produced and was known to shred on the guitar. ♪ ♪ a flamboyant artist on stage and off with a wardrobe and a personality to match.