PHOTOS: Prince Takes New York, Final Madison Square Garden Show a Glittery Musical Spectacle

Prince's critically acclaimed "Welcome 2 America Tour" played a sold-out audience at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 7. Grammy Award-winning alternative hip-hop/soul crooner Cee Lo Green served as the opening act, kicking off a punctual 7:30 p.m. start time, which played out well into the midnight hour. Green, who already joined an impressive list of opening guests that included Janelle Monáe, Esperanza Spalding, Maceo Parker, Mint Condition, Sinbad, Lalah Hathaway, Cassandra Wilson, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings and Larry Graham, belted out a litany of songs, including a censored version of his chart-topping pop anthem, 'F**k You.'

Meanwhile, his royal majesty, who turns 53 in June, dazzled that audience with a career-spanning set that never seemed to end.

The stage was shaped like Prince's trademark glyph, and it was there that he seemed to hold royal court -- whipping the audience into a fevered frenzy with classics such as 'Controversy,' '1999,' 'When Doves Cry,' 'Purple Rain,' 'Kiss' and 'Sign of the Times.' While the days of yore are long gone -- when he used to do countless splits throughout his concerts -- Prince proved to be an ultimate showman, even taking on ferocious power ballads such as 'The Beautiful Ones,' 'Nothing Compares 2 U' (with background singer Shelby J) and 'Adore.' He teased and titillated with shortened versions of rare faves like 'If I was Your Girlfriend,' 'Pop Life,' 'Raspberry Beret' and Sheila E's 'Love Bizarre.'

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Prince Takes New York, February 7, 2011

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 07: (Exclusive Coverage) Misty Copeland and Prince perform during his "Welcome 2 America" tour at Madison Square Garden on February 7, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Prince Takes New York, February 7, 2011

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 07: (Exclusive Coverage) Prince performs during his "Welcome 2 America" tour at Madison Square Garden on February 7, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Prince Takes New York, February 7, 2011

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 07: (Exclusive Coverage) Prince performs during his "Welcome 2 America" tour at Madison Square Garden on February 7, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Prince Takes New York, February 7, 2011

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 07: (Exclusive Coverage) Prince performs during his "Welcome 2 America" tour at Madison Square Garden on February 7, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Prince Takes New York, February 7, 2011

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 07: (Exclusive Coverage) Cee Lo Green opens for Prince during his "Welcome 2 America" tour at Madison Square Garden on February 7, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Prince Takes New York, February 7, 2011

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 07: (Exclusive Coverage) Chris Rock on stage during Prince's "Welcome 2 America" tour at Madison Square Garden on February 7, 2011 in New York City. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage for NPG Records 2011)

Prince Takes New York, February 7, 2011

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 07: (Exclusive Coverage) Reverend Al Sharpton watches Prince perform during his "Welcome 2 America" tour at Madison Square Garden on February 7, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Prince Takes New York, February 7, 2011

(EXCLUSIVE, Premium Rates Apply) (Exclusive Coverage) Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian watch Prince perform during his "Welcome 2 America" tour at Madison Square Garden on February 7, 2011 in New York City. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage for NPG Records 2011)

Prince Takes New York, February 7, 2011

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