The singer-songwriter Prince is reported to have been found dead at his Minnesota estate. He was 57.
Prince Rogers Nelson was born on June 7, 1958, the son of a Minnesota jazz pianist.
He was signed by Warner Brothers Records while still a teen, releasing his debut album “For You” in 1978.
From my monthly essay in the new issue…
Our attention has been drawn to this incident…
Meet Speranza Scappucci, who becomes principal guest at…
We have been reminded of the BBC’s 1983…
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It’s not the generation I expected to see vanish — MJ, Whitney, now this…while the Rolling Stones and so many of their much older contemporaries play on.
I was never a fan of that 80s stuff, but Prince had many admirers among serious musicians as well as his legion of fans.
RIP another artist gone too young.
I was not a big fan myself, but Prince’s incredible Super Bowl performance — wind, rain and all, won me over…everyone is still in shock here…a rainbow yesterday afternoon over Paisley Park after a day of rain seems especially poignant…
I never cared much for his music, but Prince was one hell of a guitarist.
My, My!! What a year this is turning out to be, with so many talents and icons in the music and theatre world leaving us so early.
I have been a Prince fan ever since the early 80s when I saw “Purple Rain” on the big screen, and became absolutely convinced of his fantastic musicianship and his extraordinary performing abilities when I saw him live in his show “Sign of the Times” in Germany back in the late 80s.
He was a truly great and gifted musician, lyricist, songwriter and performer, and an enormous influence musically and artistically in the real world of Pop & Rock & Indie music. His shows were often truly theatrical in scope and concept, and his musical versatility just breath-taking. Amazing that many of the big stars who influenced him in his early years have outlived him.
He was 57. A real loss to the music world. “016 really is turning in to a bummer of a year 🙁
If he had only ever picked up a guitar, he would be judged as one of the most naturally talented musicians ever to done so; but he was rather more than that.
Music owes him an immense debt of gratitude. His tremendous artistry, phenomenal work ethic and willingness to open himself to ridicule in order to defend the right of artists less important than him to retain control of their creations are to be admired. His commitment to live performance of the highest standard, his fusion of numerous genres, his complete disregard for the racial barriers erected in much of popular music set an example to the generations that follow him.
If you doubt why his career is important, listen to a record like Rainbow Bridge or, amongst his later output, 3121 to see just how magical he can be.
Or even Graffiti Bridge [sigh]…
I used to go out of my way to travel under Graffiti Bridge, on Valley View Road. It was utterly charming. Then it was replaced with a very ordinary bridge…