Mesmerizing and memorable live performances by Prince

Prince has been heralded for manytraits, but his electric stage presence, splashy showmanshipand sexuallychargedtheatrics put him at the forefront of themusic world's live performers.

These talents were well documented over Prince's careerthroughhis performances on award shows and on stage during his own concerts and in surprise appearances at others.

• Prince, legendary Purple Rain singer, dead at age 57
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• Prince's Toronto connections cherished by city
• Prince in Toronto: a selected history

As fans mournhis death, here'sa look at some of Prince's most memorable live performances.

Super Bowl halftime show, 2007

Despite torrential rains falling onMiami's Dolphin Stadium, a blue-suited, bandana-cladPrince took to the stage shaped like his signature love symbollooking cool and collected.

He launched into an epic 12-minute performance that iswidely considered to be the best halftime show performance of all time. The setlistincluded his own songs like Let's Go Crazyand Baby, I'm a Staras well as covers of Bob Dylan'sAll Along the WatchtowerandCreedence Clearwater Revival's Proud Mary.

The moment:Backed by hundreds ofmarching band members, Prince ripsthrough aguitar solo during his hitPurple Rain. At one point, he appears as asilhouettebehind a white sheetbillowing inthe wind and rain. Hecrouches, gropes his guitar and wails onitin a suggestivemanner.

In concert with James Brown and Michael Jackson, 1983

It's hard to upstage musical icons like James Brown and Michael Jackson. But Prince managed to do just that during one of Brown's concerts in Los Angeles. Jackson and Prince were in the audience at the concert and Brown called themuponstage.

Prince borroweda guitar andplayedfor a moment before taking off hisshirt, wailing into the microphone andcontorting his body around the stage. At one point, he leanedagainst amassive prop lamp post andalmost broughtit downonto the audience.

Tributes have started pouring in on the video, with peoplemourning the loss of all three musicians and dubbing themthe Kings of Soul, Rock and Pop.

The moment:Prince flails his arms around on stage, conducting Brown's backing band and the cheering audience members.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, 2004

Prince, ZZ Top, Bob Seger and George Harrison were among the musicians inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Harrison'sposthumousinduction brought out an all-star assortment of musicians including his Travelling Wilbury's bandmatesTom Petty andJeff Lynneto performWhile My Guitar Gently Weeps.

But it was theappearance of Prince donning a red hat and a wide open matching redshirtthat stole the tribute. He brought his Telecaster to a performance full of acoustic guitars. At the song's end, he tosseditup in the air and effortlessly walked off the stage.

The moment:Princesolos while leaning back off of the stage and out into the audience. A man holds him up while Harrison's son, Dhani (who was alsoplaying on stage)looks on in amazement andamusement.

Capitol Theatre, 1982

Prince's performance at thenow closedCapitol Theatre in Passaic, N.J.,was one of his most legendary. Though early in his career, the set defined the genre-bending sound Princebecame known for, combining elements of gospel, rock, funk, soul and R&B.

The concert included songslikeDirty Mind,Do Me, Baby and theencoreJack U Off, whichshowcased the sexual motifs and explicit lyrics that Prince helped make mainstream. Many of the tunes are difficult to hearover all the shrieks and squeals from the audience.

The moment: During an extended version of I WannaBe Your Lover,Prince gets down on his knees and repurposes his electric guitar into a slide guitar. Princemassages the head of his guitar over and overand finishes the tunelying on his back.

MTV Video Awards, 1991

This is regarded asbeing one of the most risqumusic awards show performancesof all time. While performing his tune Gett Off, Prince gyratedaround the stage while wearing a see-through yellow suit, which left little to beimagined.

He wasjoined on stage by half-naked dancers wearing masks andRoman pillars on fire.

The moment:Prince spins around to reveal his bottomless attire, showcasing his assets.

Performing withBeyonc at the Grammys, 2004

Prince opened the 2004 Grammys in style kicking off a six-minute medley of songs with a soulful rendition ofPurple Rain,where he wasjoined by Beyonc. The pairperformed together onBaby I'm a Star, Beyonc'sCrazy in Loveand Let's Go Crazy.

Beyonc,who had recently launched her solo career, recalled how star-struck she was during theperformance and the rehearsal processin a2012 magazine interview.

"I still can't believe it," she said. "He just kept on saying, 'Don't be scared. Come on. Belt it out.'"

The moment:The duo lean back on each other at the end ofLet's Go Crazy, as Prince solos on his guitar andBeyonc wails.

Honourable mentions

• Purple Rainon The Arsenio Hall Show, 1989
• Covering Radiohead'sCreepat Coachella, 2008
• PerformingSuperstitionwith Stevie Wonder and Sheila E., 2010
• Performing with the Muppetson their short-lived showMuppets Tonight, 1997