Watch Prince Shred It on a Beatles Classic

As a rule, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction concerts have greatly improved over the years. While some still balk at the element of respectability that the actual existence of the Hall of Fame adds to what is by it's very nature an outlaw form of arts populi, other recognize the need for formal recognition of the practitioners of what is the dominant strain of post-World War II wesetrn culture.

At the center of that culture is the music of The Beates. When George Harrison was inducted as a standalone member of the Hall, some of his friends and usual-suspect-collaborators (Lynne, Petty, et al) were joined by Prince. Now most people don't "get" the extent of Prince's artistry. I won't go into why because the proof of this man's gift is in this clip. He shreds the hell out of the solo at the end of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" a solo originally recorded with the Beatles by Eric Clapton. At the end, knowing how much he smoked 'em, he simply tosses his guitar aside. He knew there wasn't any more he could get out of that ax than he just did!

See for yourself: