If you're talking multi-instrumentalists:
Todd Rundgren
Chuckii Booker
Bryan Loren
Paul McCartney
Richie Kotzen
Patrice Rushen
Marcus Miller
Nuno Bettencourt
Edward Van Halen
Yngwie Malmsteen
Charlie Singleton
Shawn Lane
Eric Johnson

Many, if not most musicians (and I am one meself) can and do play more than one instrument. I'm just listing some well-known musicians who've done it on record or live.
[Edited 11/24/06 22:22pm]

my favorite in the pop and soul genre is Stevie Wonder of course - pure genious

Meshell Ndegeocello- over the past twelve years, she has grown as a musician in ways that Prince, at this stage, likely never will. Her artistic rise has coincided with his demise into self-repetition and complacency. Every time I hear a new recording from her, and on those all-too-rare occassions that I've been lucky enough to attend one of her gigs, I find myself thinking "THIS is how Prince should be exploring his art..."

I'm kind of glad she hasn't blown up commercially- I think that's one reason she's retained her musical hunger, and kept her message and art pure.

ratt said:

ALIVE:
Stevie Wonder
James Brown
Sly Stone
Paul McCartney
Teena Marie
Jane Child
Jesse Johnson
Brian McKnight
Ernie Isley
Wendy Carlos
Lenny Kravitz

Resting In Peace:
Rick James
Barry White
[Edited 11/25/06 11:24am]

TonyVanDam said:

Re: Brian
Anyone who swipes entire songs from others and doesn't credit them should not be considered for this list.

Re: Lenny
WTF?

VoicesCarry said:

Oh now you're so surprise to see that I mention Lenny! The 5 album is still the best album he even done in his career. Lenny even use synths on a few tracks.

However, I don't blame you for hating on Brian McKnight. Too many smooth jazz-like downtempo R&B/Pop songs has hurt Brain's career a bit.

I'd say Jimi Hendrix, Sly Stone, Stevie Wonder and Ernie Isley. They're the 1s that come 2 my mind immediately

TonyVanDam said:

Lenny can play, but on the same level as PRINCE?

I don't hate on Brian because of the music he makes, I hate on him because Anytime was completely stolen from Me'Shell. I wouldn't hold his musical styles against him if we were just talking skills.

TonyVanDam said:

WHAAAT?
He had motown musicians play for him!

None of them are anywhere near prince; even stevie can't fuck with the evil purple midget!

mikek1 said:

1. Stevie would beat Prince in a keyboard battle.

2. Rick James composed his own music by ear (every guitar, bass, drum, keyboard, and horn notes). Beside The Stone City Band from time to time, Rick never use any member of Motown's house band.
[Edited 11/26/06 10:56am]

TonyVanDam said:

1; Yes but not on drums, bass or guitar and he's nowhere near as productive.
2; That's not what many on here have said.

jdcxc said:

agreed and the best

Brian Jones(The Rolling Stones):
sitar,tamboura,marimba,harmonica,keyboards,autoharp,mellotron,dulcimer,recorder,saxophone,slide guitar and possible pursuit of Moroccoan and other exotic music had he lived.
Did not play drums or bass and was not as great a guitar player as Prince but he also played many instruments that Prince has not and did it at a time(mid-late sixties) in which it was not that common for many in rock music to be multi-instrumentalists.

Bootsy he plays everything---drums, keyboards, bass, guitar, violin, horns etc.

Bootsy is multi-talented. From James Brown to P-Funk.

Rick James, Prince, etc. copied Bootsy.

Check out his Christmas lp it's out now it's very innovative and mindblowing. He's not suppose to be making music like this.

ratt said:

Prince is the total package. A phenomenal musicican and performer. I can't think of one artist who has him beat at both.

ThePunisher said:

I have to agree I can't think of any musician that can do it all like Prince as for as a complete package. He is the greatest in that arena. But I don't think he is the best in all the areas but he is one of the greatest entertainers to come along since Sammy Davis. Sammy could sing, dance , play drums, piano, act etc.

Anx said:

LOVE that song. when i was 10, it was Magic Dance. but since then, it's been Underground. uh, the video, though...

I've got to agree that Prince is top when it comes to the total package... He mixes his own music too... I guess mastering is the only thing he's not involved in.

Ryuichi Sakamoto , he tries all sorts...