Prince: The Artist Formerly Known as 49

Rocker celebrates low-key 50th over the weekend in L.A.

By Matthew Donnelly Jun 09, 2008 3:35 AMTags
PrinceJohn Shearer/WireImage.com

Prince, who's noted for over-the-top parties and celeb-infested jam sessions, celebrated his 50th birthday with a whisper this weekend.

Starting on Friday evening, he hit his sometimes haunt Teddy's, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, with pals for drinks.

The artist must have been feeling uninhibited, as no security team was on hand to sweep him into a waiting car. Prince exited the hotel and strolled down Hollywood Boulevard among the regular folk.

On Saturday, his actual birthday, he stepped out with two young brunettes (pretty modest for the milestone day) for the Lo Hi Fi party at Hollywood spot Green Door.

Prince and his ladies kept to themselves, while just a table away Robert Downey Jr. held court with 10 pals, including comic Richard Lewis. (Downey was on his best behavior too, enjoying Coca-Cola with "a ton of limes," an eyewitness tells E! News.)

Here's hoping the Purple One doesn't make all this moderate fun a habit.