The Surprising Way Prince Learned Guitar

In 1994, Prince entered one of the most defining and contentious phases of his career, adopting the cryptic moniker ‘O(+>’—widely recognized as the “Love Symbol.” The move was more than a stylistic shift; it was a calculated act of defiance against Warner Records during a highly publicized contractual dispute.

Amid this turbulent backdrop, Guitar World secured rare backstage access to the artist then known as The Artist Formerly Known As Prince. While he remained largely reserved about his musical influences, he made a notable exception when speaking about his admiration for bassist Sonny Thompson—better known as Sonny T.—a childhood friend and key member of New Power Generation.

The Mentor Behind the Myth

Before joining Prince’s inner circle, Thompson had already established himself within Minneapolis’ vibrant music scene, performing with groups such as The Lewis Connection. His influence on Prince, however, extended far beyond collaboration.

“I thought Sonny was God,” Prince said plainly. “Sonny was my hero. A lot of what I do on guitar, I learned from him. I’d go over to his house, and we’d play records, and he’d show me things on guitar.”

Their relationship, rooted in shared musical curiosity, became a cornerstone of Prince’s early artistic development. According to Thompson, the two first met on the south side of Minneapolis, both carrying guitars—an encounter that would spark a lifelong creative bond.

A Style All His Own

Despite frequent comparisons to Jimi Hendrix, Thompson insisted that Prince’s guitar work occupied its own distinct space. “A lot of people say he sounds like Hendrix; but to me, he doesn’t really. His vibrato is different,” he explained.

“Just the way he attacks the guitar is different. I think his guitar sound is coming into its own at this point. I think he incorporates whatever he hears into his guitar playing, like from different instruments and all. It’s like he’s absorbing all this stuff and spitting it back out.”

The pair bonded over a diverse set of influences—including Grand Funk Railroad and Chick Corea—which helped shape Prince’s eclectic sonic identity. Thompson also highlighted Prince’s extraordinary musical ability, recalling his near-instant mastery of new material.

“Oh, man! Photographic memory,” he said. “Anything you played for him, he could repeat it. I’ve never seen anything like it. He’s definitely got perfect pitch. Anything he hears, he can play.”

Meanwhile, further insights into Prince’s formative years continue to surface. Charles ‘Chazz’ Smith, his cousin and the original drummer of his high school band Grand Central, has recently reflected on the moment Prince’s identity as a guitarist first began to take shape—offering yet another glimpse into the evolution of one of music’s most singular talents.