Viv Prince, the dynamic drummer known for his energetic performances with The Pretty Things, passed away at the age of 84.
Musician Jack White shared the news in a touching post to social media on Friday, September 12.
“I’ve received word through my friend John Baker who knew the man well, that the great Viv Prince has just passed on,” he began. “Viv was an incredible drummer, wild and full of abandon. He played for the band The Pretty Things, and he influenced many other musicians like Keith Moon.”
White shared how he was able to meet with the iconic musician years prior.
“I was lucky enough to meet Viv some years ago who was working on his farm in Portugal at the time,” White continued. “He was an inspired and eccentric rock and roller and maybe I’ll have to put together a team to work on a documentary about this man one day.”
He ended the message with, “Safe travels into the sweet beyond Viv, you were one of the real ones.”
No cause of death was shared.
Tributes Pour In
Fans quickly took to social media to share how sad they were for the loss of the icon.
“Those early Pretty Things records were something else. Dude was a trendsetter for sure. He will be missed,” one user noted.
Another stated, “So sad to hear, Viv was pretty much the only musician of my formative era that I had any personal connections with. Wonderful to hear you were familiar with his work.”
Other loved the thought of Prince potenitally getting a documentary on his life.
“Please do make that documentary! Viv & The Pretty Things ruled!” one user gushed.
“Would love to see a documentary collaboration between JW and John Baker,” others added. “John’s knowledge is encyclopedic, his enthusiasm is infectious and his voice is a joy to listen too.”
Prince’s Legacy
Prince was born in Loughborough in 1941 and began his musical journey in the early 1960s, initially performing in jazz bands, according to The Independent.
In 1964, he joined The Pretty Things, contributing to the band’s raw and rebellious sound during his 18-month tenure.
Prince’s time with The Pretty Things was marked by his unconventional and often controversial behavior, both on and off the stage.
After leaving the band, he would fill in for various bands, including The Who, The Honeycombs, and Hawkwind.
His energetic style and stage presence are said to have inspired a generation of drummers, including The Who’s legendary Keith Moon. Moon, known for his own wild performances, reportedly drew inspiration from Prince’s approach to drumming and showmanship.
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