John L. Nelson

John Lewis Nelson (June 29, 1916 – August 25, 2001), also known as Prince Rogers, was an American jazz musician. He is known for being the father of the musician Prince and a credited co-writer of some of his songs.

Life and career

John L. Nelson was born in Louisiana, the son of Carrie (Jenkins) and Clarence Nelson. He traveled to Minneapolis to become a musician in 1948. Playing the piano, he used Prince Rogers as a stage name and started The Prince Rogers Trio with local musicians.

John L. Nelson maintained an on-off relationship with Vivian Nelson. With her, he had four children: Sharon L. (born 1942), Lorna L. (1943—2006), Norrine (born 1947), and John R. (born 1948). John L. Nelson had another son, Duane, with Vivian in 1958.

In 1956, he met Mattie Della Shaw (1933—2002), at a show on the north side of Minneapolis. Shaw was an aspiring jazz musician who became the musical group's singer. John L. Nelson married Shaw and had two more children, musician Prince on June 7, 1958 (who was named after his father's stage name) and daughter Tika Evene (usually known as Tyka) in 1960. When John L. Nelson's career failed in late 1960, the couple became estranged and formally separated in 1966.