Viv Prince, the noted drummer for the British rock group The Pretty Things in the 1960s, has died at the age of 84. Jack White, frontman of the White Stripes, confirmed the news in an Instagram post on September 12, 2025. The cause of death has not been revealed.
Born as Vivian Martin Prince in Loughborough, England, in 1941, Prince started his professional music career in the early 1960s as a jazz drummer. He performed with several groups, including The Jazz Cardinals, before moving to session work in London. His unique drumming style attracted the attention of The Pretty Things’ management, who invited him to join the band in 1964, replacing their original drummer, Peter Kitley.
Prince’s time with The Pretty Things was brief but significant. He recorded two albums with them in 1965: “The Pretty Things” and “Get the Picture?” The band found moderate success in the UK with tracks like “Don’t Bring Me Down,” “Honey I Need,” and “Cry To Me.” Prince became known for his energetic stage presence and unpredictable behavior, which became a hallmark of the band’s live shows.
Prince’s drumming style influenced many, notably Keith Moon of The Who. Moon attended Pretty Things concerts to observe Prince’s technique and considered him an inspiration. Their mutual admiration led to Prince performing with The Who after his stint with The Pretty Things.
Prince’s time with The Pretty Things ended due to his erratic behavior on and off the stage. Guitarist Dick Taylor recounted in Classic Rock magazine in 2021 that the decision to part ways with Prince followed repeated conduct issues. The final incident occurred at The Twisted Wheel in Manchester, England, when Prince refused to perform because a nearby pub declined to serve him, following disturbances he caused the previous night involving members of The Kinks. Vocalist Phil May ultimately asked Prince to leave the band.
White called Prince “one of the real ones” in his tribute, mentioning that he met Prince in recent years while Prince was residing on a farm in Portugal. White expressed interest in creating a documentary about Prince’s life, citing him as an inspired and eccentric figure in rock music.
After leaving The Pretty Things in 1965, Prince continued to perform with various groups such as the Honeycombs and Hawkwind, and he worked on sessions with artists like Chris Barber. He released a solo single in 1966 but largely left the music scene by the 1970s. Later reports suggest he joined the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club but was eventually expelled.
Despite recording only two albums with The Pretty Things, Prince’s influence on the band persisted. In 1999, the band paid tribute to him with a song titled “Vivian Prince” on their album “Rage Before Beauty,” recognizing his impact on their early sound and image.
Prince’s passing signifies another loss from the British Invasion era. The Pretty Things’ frontman Phil May died in 2020, leaving Prince as one of the last members of the classic lineup. Following White’s announcement, tributes from musicians and fans have acknowledged Prince’s role in shaping the rebellious spirit of 1960s British rock.
