Pop Culture –
Prince Leaves A Musical Legacy
We often hear the words genius, icon and legend thrown around loosely and without merit.  However, those terms and more are beyond fitting when describing the pop artist who was once known only by a symbol.
Pop Culture
Prince Rogers Nelson passed away Thursday morning after what appears to have been a brief illness. He played the final concert of his life last week in Atlanta.  However he felt so ill during his flight home that his private jet was forced to make an emergency landing in Moline, Illinois and the artist was rushed to a hospital. Confidants say he had been battling the flu for several weeks, however the actual cause of death is pending an autopsy and is yet to be announced.
When the world thinks of Prince, we think of songs like “Little Red Corvette,” “Do Me Baby,” “I Wanna Be Your Lover,” “When Doves Cry,” “Soft & Wet,” “I Feel For You,” “Purple Rain” and so many more.  We also think of a tiny man in high-heeled shoe boots who could light up a stage with his electric energy, play every instrument, then leave you drenched with sweat once he was done with you. His music and his performances were an absolute life changing experience.
Prince built a recording studio in his Paisley Park mansion just outside of Minneapolis, so that he could record at any time of the day or night — and indeed he did just that.  The body of work he’s already given the world is humongous, but the unreleased library of music that is yet to be heard is near infinite.
Celebrity reaction to the news was swift and heartfelt. “Prince was a gift and a genius. He showed us that we have no limits. His music left me forever changed,” tweeted Alicia Keys. “I Miss My Brother. Prince Was A Funny Cat. Great Sense Of Humor,” said Spike Lee. “This is what it sounds like when doves cry,” added Whoopi Goldberg.
Prince Rogers Nelson was 57. Â May he rest in power!
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We often hear the words genius, icon and legend thrown around loosely and without merit. However, those terms and more are beyond fitting when describing the pop artist who was once known only by a symbol. [….]
And let the Church say AAAMEN.
Like millions of people all over the world, I was absolutely shocked upon hearing this incredibly sad news yesteday. It really blew me away. And truth is, I'm still in a bit of shock over it.
Quite awhile ago, I had heard that he was having some serious health problems. I had even heard about his recent emergency stop during his private plane ride home last Friday (I believe it was). But never did it cross my mind that he might be near death! And so soon after the death of Maurice White (whose genius I also loved) and Natalie Cole (another music Master).
There are no words, IMO, to fully describe what this man shared with the world through nearly 40 yrs of sheer musical Genius..to say nothing of how he helped SO many people throughout those years -both in the music business and well beyond that.
My heart is truly broken right now and I don't even consider myself to be among his most passionate admirers. The depth and breadth of his vision and mastery and compassion are 2nd to None.
May he Rest now and forever…in Peace.
Btw- I'd also like to share…..
One bright and sunny Saturday morning, in the summer of 1977, my cousin and I made our weekly trip to the local music store downtown to purchase a few albums by well known (mostly Black) artists. As an added bonus, we always treated ourselves to an album by an "unknown" artist -someone whose music we had never heard before. Then we'd take that album home (to my grandparents home actually) and give it a listen and try to predict if we thought that "unknown" artist might someday become *Somebody* in the music world.
On this particular Saturday morning we chose an unknown artist named Prince. The album was "For You." And, as was customary, we raced home and gave it a listen. Suffice it to say, it was different….lol. So different that we had to keep the volume turned down low so that my grandmother wouldn't hear it….lol. Luckily my grandfather took her grocery shopping shortly after we returned from the music store.
Imagine the song "Soft and Wet" blasting through a great set of Pioneer speakers in my grandparent's basement -a room that we (my cousin and I) had claimed and decorated as our own private music space to entertain ourselves and our friends.
Incredible memories!
Good story Truth. This is such a big loss I can't even proceeds it yet. RIP