Before Prince became a global icon and one of the most influential musicians in history, he faced one of the toughest moments of his early career. In 1981, Prince was chosen to open for the Rolling Stones during their U.S. tour. It seemed like a golden opportunity—but it quickly turned into a harsh lesson.
At the time, Rolling Stones fans were expecting loud, raw rock music. What they got instead was Prince: a young, confident artist with a bold fashion sense, high heels, tight clothing, and a sound that blended funk, pop, rock, and soul. For many in the crowd, it was something completely unexpected.
Instead of applause, Prince was met with boos.
At several shows, the audience reacted negatively. Some shouted insults. Others threw objects on stage. The atmosphere became so hostile that Prince was forced to leave early during one performance. He was, quite literally, booed off the stage.
For most artists, an experience like that could be crushing. Being rejected by thousands of people in front of you is painful. But Prince didn’t let it break him.
He took it as motivation.
Rather than changing who he was, Prince stayed true to his vision. He continued to experiment with sound, style, and performance. He refused to fit into any box. And within just a few years, the same qualities that once made audiences uncomfortable became the reason millions loved him.
Soon after, Prince released albums like 1999, Purple Rain, and Sign o’ the Times. He filled stadiums. He won awards. He became a symbol of artistic freedom and originality. The world finally understood what those early audiences couldn’t see yet.
The 1981 Rolling Stones tour is now remembered as a powerful reminder that being ahead of your time often comes with resistance. Prince wasn’t rejected because he lacked talent. He was rejected because he was different.
And different is exactly what made him legendary.
His story teaches us that failure and criticism are not the end. Sometimes, they are just the beginning of something greater. Prince turned rejection into fuel and doubt into greatness.
From being booed off stage to becoming a musical king, his journey remains one of the most inspiring stories in music history.
