The world’s first official exhibition celebrating the life of Prince will open at the O2 in London later this year.
The late pop icon’s instruments, stage outfits, awards and handwritten song lyrics will all be displayed in the new blockbuster show.
‘My Name Is Prince’ opens on October 27, 2017, and will run for just 21 days – mirroring the record-breaking 21 consecutive sold-out nights Prince played at the O2 back in 2007.
The exhibition will feature hundreds of previously unseen artifacts from Paisley Park, the late star’s private estate and recording studio in Minnesota.
"At Paisley Park, Prince constructed and inhabited a creative reality that was wholly unique, allowing him to fluidly develop music and artistic works spontaneously and without limitation," said Paisley Park’s Director of Archives, Angie Marchese.
"He envisioned Paisley Park as one day being opened to the public. Through this exhibition, we are expanding his dream to share with a wider audience, and allow visitors to The O2 in London to experience all his greatness through the artefacts direct from his Paisley Park Archives."
Amongst the items leaving the archive for the first time are stage-worn outfits from the 1984/1985 Purple Rain tour and the 1988/1989 LoveSexy tour; the guitar that Prince used during his national television debut on American Bandstand in 1980; and the original bass that was the inspiration for his iconic Cloud guitar.
Prince’s family said in a statement:
"Our family is extremely honoured to have this exhibit at the O2, and we know Prince would be as well. He loved to share his work and life with his fans.
"We know him as a brother who became not only one of the most prolific songwriters of all time, but an entertainer and musician who was unlike any other. It’s only appropriate we share him and these amazing artefacts with the world now that he’s gone."
