Which famous musician used the pseudonym "Alexander Nevermind"?

Last updated: October 22, 2024

Which famous musician used the pseudonym "Alexander Nevermind"?

Imagine trying to come up with a new name every time you made a career shift. I'm tired just thinking about it. But using a pseudonym in any part of the entertainment industry isn't really that uncommon. For most, it's their way of saying, "Look at me, world, this work is different than all my other work!" For one artist, coming up with pseudonyms was almost a game, and they were a pro. "Alexander Nevermind" might not be their most famous alternate name, but it was a treat for the artist who got a song out of it.

Which artist went by "Alexander Nevermind" for a single songwriting credit in the '80s?

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The answer is: Prince

When Sheena Easton's "Sugar Walls" climbed the charts in 1984, it was penned by one Alexander Nevermind. Spoiler alert: it was Prince, proving he could be just as sweet under any name. This was just the beginning of Prince's pseudonym game, which was so strong it could put a secret agent convention to shame.

Prince's go-to alter ego was Jamie Starr, sometimes known as The Starr Company. Under this cosmic guise, he masterminded The Time's four albums between 1981 and 1990. Imagine Morris Day's surprise if he'd known he was basically in a one-man band with a very busy drummer. But Starr didn't stop there – this pseudonym also graced productions for Sheila E and the girl groups Vanity 6 and Apollonia 6, spreading Prince's musical magic far and wide.

Not content with just one alternate identity, Prince also moonlighted as Joey Coco, venturing into different genres with the ease of a musical chameleon. As Coco, he even wrote Kenny Rogers' country track "You're My Love" in 1986. Yep, Prince went country – cowboy hats and purple suede boots, anyone? Coco also penned several pop hits, proving that this particular pseudonym had range.

As if that wasn't enough, Prince casually became "Christopher" to write The Bangles' "Manic Monday." Talk about a productive start to the week. This simple pseudonym, a nod to his character in "Under the Cherry Moon," showed that even with the most basic of disguises, Prince could still create chart-topping hits.

These aliases let Prince musical-chair his way through different styles without anyone yelling, "Hey, that sounds like Prince!" It was like a funky, musical version of "Guess Who?" where every card had Prince's face, but with different hairstyles and outfits. In the end, whether he was Alexander Nevermind, Jamie Starr, Joey Coco, or just a symbol that looked like it escaped from a math textbook, Prince proved he could rock any name. He was the artist formerly, currently, and always known for keeping us guessing – and grooving.