Prince Shatters Hendrix Comparisons: ‘We Only Share One Thing – Our Skin Color’

Prince was never one to shy away from making bold statements, and in a 1985 interview with Rolling Stone, he firmly swatted aside comparisons to Jimi Hendrix, the legendary guitarist whose influence has shaped countless musicians. The occasion was just months after the release of his album Around the World in a Day, a work that stood as a testament to Prince’s own unique artistry. However, when the conversation shifted to Hendrix, Prince wasn’t interested in being placed in the same box.

“They say The Beatles are the influence [for Around the World in a Day]. The influence wasn’t The Beatles,” Prince stated, signaling that his music drew from a far more eclectic range of influences than critics could fully grasp. But it was his comment about Jimi Hendrix that really caught attention: “It’s only because he’s black. That’s really the only thing we have in common,” he asserted, challenging the very idea that he and Hendrix could be compared in the way the media often did.

Prince went on to elaborate, suggesting that if critics were truly listening to his music, they’d find a greater affinity with the sound of Carlos Santana than with Hendrix. “Hendrix played more blues; Santana played prettier,” Prince said, dismissing the idea that his guitar work mirrored the fiery, blues-drenched solos of Hendrix. His reasoning? The guitar, as an instrument, has limitations. “There are only so many sounds a guitar can make,” he acknowledged. Still, he maintained that the style of play wasn’t what made him distinct; it was how he used those familiar sounds to create something entirely his own.

However, despite Prince’s dismissal of the comparison from a technical perspective, one cannot ignore the undeniable similarities in their performances. Both musicians shared a show-stopping quality that captivated audiences in ways few could replicate. When you think of Jimi Hendrix, you think of his iconic moment at the Monterey Pop Festival, where he set his guitar on fire in an unforgettable performance. The charisma, the swagger, the flair — Hendrix turned every stage into a personal expression of his genius.

In the same vein, Prince had his own share of show-stopping performances that cemented his status as one of the greatest live performers of all time. While his 2007 Super Bowl Halftime Show is legendary for its emotional power and the sheer spectacle of it all, one of the most unforgettable moments of Prince’s career came in 2004, at the George Harrison tribute concert at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Teaming up with Tom Petty, Steve Winwood, and Dhani Harrison, Prince delivered a performance of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” that would go down in history. But it wasn’t just the song that stood out — it was the guitar solo. Lasting for over three minutes, Prince’s masterful display of skill and creativity left the audience in awe, and while it didn’t sound like Hendrix, it captured something equally magical: the spirit of improvisation and the joy of music itself. At one point, Prince leaned back, supported by someone in front of the stage, and played with such abandon that it felt like he was channeling the very essence of rock ‘n’ roll. To top it off, he tossed his guitar into the air at the end — a moment so unforgettable that fans are still talking about it over a decade later.

In that respect, the comparisons to Hendrix aren’t entirely without merit. Both Prince and Hendrix shared an ability to captivate and electrify a crowd with their performances. Their stage presence was magnetic, and their music, though distinctly their own, bridged a universal language of expression, rebellion, and soul. While Prince may have rejected the idea that their musical styles were similar, there’s no denying that they both approached the stage as an artist’s playground, where rules were meant to be broken and limits were only temporary.

Ultimately, Prince’s rejection of the Hendrix comparison speaks to the very heart of his artistry. He wasn’t just a guitarist; he was a visionary, an iconoclast, and a multi-faceted performer whose influence extended far beyond the boundaries of any single genre or comparison. As he put it, there was far more to his sound than the mere similarity of skin color, and his impact on music — like Hendrix before him — transcended any simplistic comparisons.

Both legends, in their own way, will forever live on as symbols of the power of music to challenge, redefine, and transform. And though their paths may have been different, both Prince and Hendrix shared that rare, intangible gift: the ability to make the world stop and listen.