Singer-songwriter Prince passed away today. (Photo property of Getty Images’ Frank Micelotta)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
The world has lost another music icon.
According to numerous media outlets such as Billboard, CNN, PopWrapped and Rolling Stone, the artist known as Prince has passed away at age 57-year-old.
TMZ reported that Prince’s body was discovered at his Paisley Park compound earlier Thursday morning and also noted that the Carver County Sheriff Office stated that at this time, there were so signs of foul play.
Since he first released his album, For You, in 1978, the Purple One recorded nearly 40 studio albums, formed three bands (The Revolution, The New Power Generation and 3rdeyegirl), released 104 singles, won seven Grammys, four MTV Video Music Awards, a Golden Globe and an Oscar over his nearly 40 years in music.
Prince’s passing marks an end of the multi-instrumentalist era. His uniqueness was that he was able to play the guitar, the bass guitar, drums, keyboards and the Linn Drum. He could capture fans’ imagination and transport them to alternative universes through his out-of-this-world songs that combined elements of many musical genres such as pop, rock, soul and most of all: funk.
From the epic battle for Gotham City in Batman (1989) to Minneapolis in the mid-1980s in Purple Rain, Prince’s music brought us closer together. He also had the superb ability to reach across generations of fans and musicians.
I will always remember watching the Purple One’s unforgettable collaboration with Beyoncé at the 2004 Grammy Awards that beautifully blended “Purple Rain,” “Baby, I’m A Star,” “Let’s Go Crazy” and “Crazy in Love.” Another favorite Prince memory was watching the 2006 American Idol with my mother, Gloria, and how we both shouted “PRINCE?!” at the television when he walked onto the Kodak Theatre stage for an exclusive performance. Finally, he delivered “the performance of a lifetime” at the Super Bowl XLI, where he defied Mother Nature and inspired millions of people around the world to pursue their dreams.
He also brilliantly worked with legends. Whether it was surprising Stevie Wonder on stage at his 2010 concert in Paris as they performed “Superstition,” or form the ultimate soul supergroup with Wonder, Chaka Khan, India.Aire and Yolanda Adams at the 2011 BET Awards. Prince was able to take any performance to the next level of excellence. Also, let’s not forget how he schooled rock royalty such as Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Dhani Harrison and Steve Winwood when they performed “When My Guitar Gently Weeps” at the 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Thank you, Prince, for the music and setting a high standard for future entertainers.
We will miss you, Prince!
I do not own any of the clips that are featured in this article. They belong to the National Football League & the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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