The tortured artist known as Prince turns 50 years old today ... in human years. On his home planet, he's a spritely 23.

I still remember the first time I saw him on MTV. The first thought running through my head? "Man, I really love Lisa and Wendy." (Setting myself up for a lifetime of disappointment with women I develop crushes on.)

Most 80s fans will never forget or forgive him -- depending on your taste in movies -- for 1984's "Purple Rain," in which he starred with his band, Morris Day and Apollonia Kotero . (I'm unabashed in my love for this flick, thanks mainly to some tongue hockey going on with the girl who went with me. Click here to hear our very old Purple Rain podcast.)

Speaking of his band, I really miss the Revolution -- his backing band for the early years. I burn a candle every night in hopes that he'll reunite with the original lineup just in time for a Vegas gig in early August, thereby completing the 80s trifecta experience for our Stuck in the 80s convention.

In the meantime, Prince is being social again, playing the Coachella Music Festival in late April and popping up at the Montreux Jazz Festival last year. And when it's not feuding with his fans and his music peers over the downloading of his music and images, I'm sure he's a nice guy.