Yes. I went to the theater to see "Purple Rain" in 1984, and still watch it when it airs on TV.
Yes. I think"Rave Un2 the Year 2000" is one of the greatest music videos ever.
Yes. I have watched his interviews with Tavis Smiley, George Lopez, and Arsenio Hall several times.
Yes. The only time I ever watched 'New Girl" was because he was a guest star.
Yes. I've driven from DC to Bowie, Maryland and back only listening to "Musicology"---the song, not the whole album. (That song is good, happy driving music.)
Every time "Purple Rain" played yesterday and today on the news, I felt a lump in my throat.
No. I didn't know him.
I never met him.
The closest I got was meeting members of his amazing horn section in 2014.
I hated seeing his name trending on Twitter yesterday. (I'm beginning to dread seeing anyone's name trending on Twitter.
I still can't bring myself to tell my "Everybody Loves Raymond"-loving Dad that "Marie" has died. he thought she was "something else".)
Reading, "Prince Dead at 57" just doesn't seem real or right.
Someone only 2 years older than you are, dying suddenly, and alone? That's a bit unnerving, no matter who it is.
No. I am not entitled to any information or details, no matter how big a fan I am, but like fans everywhere, we always think we have a right to know stuff about our favorite celebrities, as if we're going to do something should anything be amiss.
We won't be comforting anyone.
We're not going to the wake or funeral.
We're not going to pay the mortician, or go to the burial.
We have no stake in anything.
We just know that we're not going to get any more new music, and if we do, it will be because someone found something, had the legal right to release it, and will profit off of it--whether the deceased wanted us to hear it or not.
Once again, an individual will garner more wealth in death than in life.
We won't know if his wishes will be honored or not.
Unlike family and true friends, we can go on watching our videos and listening to our music, and not feeling any real, deep loss because we had no real relationship.
Unlike family and true friends, we can go on watching our videos and listening to our music, and not feeling any real, deep loss because we had no real relationship.
It's all so sad.
What makes me sadder, is that no matter what your contribution to society may be, there are those who seem bent on tarnishing it, starting rumors, and digging for dirt.
It's not idol worship that we stranger-mourners are engaged in. It's just admiration for the phenomenal way someone chose to use their talent.
God knows, it takes a lot of guts to expose oneself and one's talent, to what can be a critical and cruel world.
No. He wasn't the only guitar player on Earth, but he sure was great--really great--and yeah, somewhere there's a little kid who is just as gifted (who isn't interested in becoming entangled in the business of music), but the little kid who became famous enough to be known by his first, royal name, has no rival.
There may be many imitators, but his mold has been forever broken. He fought for artist's rights, made the music he wanted, took his artistry seriously, mentored, helped, and inspired others, shared his platform (Liv Warfield is a the real deal, and should've won a new artist Grammy), and made an indelible mark on American music--music period-- and that you just cannot, can NOT ignore.
Thanks for the music...
the wonderfully
genius,
versatile,
thought-provoking,
intricate,
authentic,
funky,
outstanding music.
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