the term "rock" is a bit of a general term.... I mean if Def Leopard or Poison had made the song Purple Rain it would be like a classic power ballad.... But Prince doing doesn't speak to his ability as a "rock" musician???? whatever being a "rock" musician means.... When it's probably as much of a rock song as my guitar gently weeps..

Prince is in the Funk tradition of making music that encompasses a lot of different styles... Prince could bring it on the guitar.... I'd rank others ahead of him..... but he does his thing.