Good story Truth. This is such a big loss I can't even proceeds it yet. RIP

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!

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.