Viv Prince, the significant drummer of the British rock group The Pretty Things during the 1960s, has passed away at 84. White Stripes lead vocalist Jack White confirmed the news through an Instagram post on September 12, 2025, though the cause of death remains undisclosed.
Born Vivian Martin Prince in Loughborough, England, in 1941, Prince began his music career in the early 1960s as a jazz drummer. His initial performances were with groups such as The Jazz Cardinals before he moved to session work in London. His unique and chaotic drumming style drew the attention of The Pretty Things’ management, leading to his recruitment in 1964, replacing original drummer Peter Kitley.
During his brief yet impactful period with The Pretty Things, Prince contributed to two albums released in 1965: “The Pretty Things” and “Get the Picture?” The band found moderate success in the UK with tracks such as “Don’t Bring Me Down,” “Honey I Need,” and “Cry To Me.” Prince’s energetic stage presence and unpredictable behavior became a hallmark of the band’s live shows, attracting both audiences and media.
Prince’s influence was notable beyond The Pretty Things, particularly impacting Keith Moon of The Who. Moon frequently attended The Pretty Things’ performances to observe Prince’s drumming and honored him as a drumming idol. Moon’s admiration was so great that he asked Prince to fill in at a Who concert in 1965. The respect was mutual, as Prince later performed with The Who after leaving The Pretty Things.
Nevertheless, Prince’s time with The Pretty Things was cut short due to erratic conduct on and off stage. Guitarist Dick Taylor explained to Classic Rock magazine in 2021 that Prince’s exit followed ongoing incidents of misconduct. Taylor mentioned the final incident took place at The Twisted Wheel in Manchester, England, where Prince refused to play because a nearby pub would not serve him. The pub was linked to a hotel where Prince had caused disturbances the previous evening involving The Kinks. Band vocalist Phil May eventually asked Prince to leave the band.
White described Prince as “one of the real ones” in his tribute, stating he had met Prince in recent years while he was residing on a farm in Portugal. White expressed interest in putting together a team to make a documentary about Prince’s life, calling him an inspired and eccentric rock performer.
After leaving The Pretty Things in 1965, Prince continued to perform with various groups, including the Honeycombs and Hawkwind, and participated in sessions with artists like Chris Barber. He released a solo single in 1966 but largely stepped away from the music scene by the 1970s. In later years, Prince reportedly joined the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club but was eventually expelled.
Even with only two albums recorded with The Pretty Things, Prince’s legacy remained with the band. In 1999, the group paid tribute to their former drummer with a song titled “Vivian Prince,” featured on their album “Rage Before Beauty.” The song acknowledged his significant impact on the band’s sound and image during their early years.
Prince’s death marks another loss from the British Invasion era of rock. The Pretty Things’ frontman Phil May passed away in 2020, leaving Prince as one of the last surviving members of the band’s classic lineup. Tributes from musicians and fans have flowed in since White’s announcement, with many recognizing Prince’s role in shaping the rebellious spirit of 1960s British rock.
