Prince's Death.

On April 21, 2016, a true musical icon passed away. 

In the days that followed, there were many posts on Facebook that were something like "Prince Dies And Everyone is Mourning. (___) many (____) die a day and no one pays attention." 

There's a reason why that is. Every death matters, even those that have no one to mourn for them. But when a person dies, it affects their circle - family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances, and possibly the public in the area where that person died. When a celebrity dies, it not only affects those people, but it affects their fans as well. It automatically triggers memories, and takes us back to where we first heard that song, saw that movie, etc. Celebrities imprint us and share their talent and it is something that we will never forget. Of course, you feel that when you are dealing with the death of someone close to you who passes away, however, a celebrity's death becomes public

When Prince died, I was needless to say, upset. I only had maybe four of his albums back in my early teens.  But he was very much a part of my life. The parts of my childhood that I remember fondly. "Purple Rain" was my first "R" rated movie. And I was totally in love with him. He is probably why you are reading this in purple text right now. How many celebrities own a color?? I remember summer days listening to "Purple Rain", and when "Raspberry Beret" came out. And, of course, "1999." In my early teen mind, back in those days, I had no idea what some of the lyrics meant, I just knew I loved his music. When I moved onto the heavier stuff, I would only listen to the heavier stuff, but Prince passed the "This guy is too cool to stop listening too." test. In fact, when I was following Slaughter, we were in Minneapolis and the Target Center was across the street from "First Avenue" - the club that was featured in the movie. I believe somewhere I have pictures. I remember being in awe of seeing it. In 1999, on New Year's Eve, guess what I was playing? Yup - "2000 zero zero; Party Over; Oops, out of time; Tonight we're going to party like it's 1999." I remember thinking that it was hard to believe it was the end of 1999, and that when the song came out, I never believed I would be around to see 1999 come around.

I knew Prince was talented. After all, I listened to him, right?  I knew he played all the instruments, composed, and produced all his music. I never understood how much talent that was until he passed. It never crossed my mind in my 14-year old brain. I was shocked the night he passed. MSNBC cancelled a regular political show to air a show on him. There were shows everywhere. Saturday Night Live dedicated a show even. I heard of all of his talents, his intelligence, his quest to own his own music and his battle with Warner Brothers. He wrote not only music for himself, but for other artists as well. He also helped his friends from Minnesota. In the movie "Purple Rain" there are 3 main bands performing...The Revolution, The Time and Apollonia 6. Prince did not include the other bands on the soundtrack. Instead, they released their own albums with the songs from the movie on them. I can only assume that this was done because The Time and Apollonia 6 would get more money and more exposure by having their own independent releases. It worked for me. I had to have those two other albums, and I loved listening to them. I even remember calling the record store and asking if they had The Time, and the guy gave me the time. 

He had an amazing ability to create the perfect image. He dripped of sexuality, yet lyrics left his sexuality ambiguous. He knew what to do to cause controversy, and of course, controversy sells. He didn't care what people thought of him. He not only pushed boundaries, he broke them. There was a meme on Facebook that had a picture of him that said that he was the only guy wearing make-up and high heels that could steal a guy's girlfriend, and it's true. He always left us wanting more. Toure, author of "I Would Die For You. Why Prince Became an Icon" said that Michael Jackson was the "good" one to like, and Prince was the "bad" one. But they both were unspeakably talented. 

Does anyone remember the PMRC's "Filthy Fifteen?" His song, "Darling Nikki" (rightfully so) was number 1 on the list. I'm sure he was quite proud of that achievement. It should also be noted that Vanity, Prince's girlfriend/protege was also on that list. After that fiasco, there were a lot of bands and/or record companies that would change album covers, or lyrics so that they wouldn't get that warning sticker. Prince just kept on releasing material, despite them, and continued pushing that boundary that they had set. He stood up for his beliefs, and his work. 

It is interesting, for all the boundaries he pushed, he himself came off as being shy and was very private. It came out after he passed that he was quite a philanthropist. He also loved his fans. I've never heard of other artists having parties at what was essentially his home at Paisley Park. He had one a few days before his passing. I heard that these parties had rules too - no alcohol, drugs, or swearing, and definitely no cell phone pictures.

I guess this is my tribute to him. It's something I felt I had to write, and it might be a bit rambling. I think this can only be the proper ending to this piece...

"Dearly beloved
We are gathered here today
To get through this thing called life

Electric word life
It means forever and that's a mighty long time
But I'm here to tell you
There's something else
The after world

A world of never ending happiness
You can always see the sun, day or night

So when you call up that shrink in Beverly Hills
You know the one, Dr. Everything'll Be Alright
Instead of asking him how much of your time is left
Ask him how much of your mind, baby

'Cause in this life
Things are much harder than in the after world
In this life
You're on your own

And if the elevator tries to bring you down
Go crazy, punch a higher floor4"

Goodbye Prince. Thanks for sharing your talent and for all of the memories. I hope that the doves are singing joyously for you up in heaven.