Just months after the loss of David Bowie, the world is, once again, reeling from the death of another world-renowned, much-loved and iconic music star — Prince.
The star, whose real name was Prince Rogers Nelson, was found at his Paisley Park, Minneapolis compound. Police were called to his home at around 9.30am yesterday, and his death was confirmed by his publicist a short time later via a statement which said:
“It is with profound sadness that I can confirm the legendary iconic performer Prince Rogers Nelson has died at his Paisley Park residence this morning at the age of 57.”
A short time later, Carver County sheriff Jim Olsen released a statement on the Prince’s death saying:
“When deputies and medical personnel arrived, they found an unresponsive adult male in the elevator. First responders attempted to provide lifesaving CPR, but were unable to revive the victim.”
News of his death was first reported by TMZ, and, within minutes, fans and fellow artists flooded social media with messages of condolence.
Prince’s ex-wife Mayte Garcia, the inspiration behind his hit song “The Most Beautiful Girl In The World” and with whom he had a son, Boy Gregory, who tragically died at just a week old, led the tributes with a statement which read:
“I can’t even think of the words of what I’m feeling. This man was my everything, we had a family. I am beyond deeply saddened and devastated. I loved him then, I love him now and will love him eternally. He’s with our son now.”
Prince was a musical genius, straight up. His loss is huge.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) April 22, 2016
Doves cry. Long Live Prince
Xo Rick— Rick Springfield (@rickspringfield) April 21, 2016
We lost another one… Can’t wait to hear what Prince and Bowie are working on. pic.twitter.com/nmegI7kf32
— GavinDeGraw (@GavinDeGraw) April 21, 2016
A great loss for all. Your music and legacy will live on forever #PurpleTears @prince
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) April 22, 2016
Stunned by Prince's passing. He was an incomparable, all-round musician with incredible talent. One of a kind.
— Jermaine Jackson (@jermjackson5) April 22, 2016
RIP to @prince…a true artist in every sense of the word. Gone way too soon.
— Quincy Jones (@QuincyDJones) April 21, 2016
You were supreme light, Prince. May you rest in perfect harmony. I have a feeling that's what heaven is to you…
💜
— Keri Hilson (@KeriHilson) April 22, 2016
I'm shocked to hear that Prince passed at such a young age. Musically, he could do it all: sing, play, arrange and produce. Love & Mercy
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) April 21, 2016
I can't believe the news about Prince. He was a true legend and had such an impact on the world. Wow. I'm just in shock.
— Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) April 22, 2016
In a statement, Aretha Franklin said Prince was:
“…a very, very unique musical individual who was so into his music — he was music to the max.”
“I think that he was a very explorative and as I said he was one of those artists that go into the studio and stayed in the studio — he would sleep in the studio.”
“Myself when I finish recording as an artist I go home and I am through with it until it’s time for me to go back in the studio but some artists just stay in the studio because they love music like that.”
Elton John took to Instagram:
President Obama posted his thoughts on Facebook:
MTV cancelled all its scheduled programming to run a Prince music video and movie marathon in his honor:
We're honoring the legendary Prince tonight on @MTV 💜 pic.twitter.com/xTxnvrk5T2
— MTV (@MTV) April 22, 2016
Elsewhere, venues and iconic locations around the world also paid tribute to the singer by displaying messages outside or turning purple.
Outside the Ritzy in Brixton. Rip #Prince. pic.twitter.com/xSXBYKJhwv
— Radio X (@RadioX) April 21, 2016
The Apollo Theater changes its marquee in honor of Prince https://t.co/xyLhXyzTJF pic.twitter.com/dH8pqFV7mO
— NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) April 22, 2016
A church honored Prince by putting his lyrics on their sign https://t.co/aCOCQPRR8p pic.twitter.com/WWfqE0tpJm
— BuzzFeed (@BuzzFeed) April 22, 2016
A beautiful tribute to #Prince seen at @DenversStation. pic.twitter.com/Mq5ZAosLJM
— @denverwestword (@DenverWestword) April 22, 2016
Los Angeles City Hall is decorated with purple lights in memory of the music legend #Prince #mydayinla pic.twitter.com/kf7aEWhPep
— Robert Lachman (@photoandmac) April 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/CurbedSF/status/723372214498684928
Paris.. R.I.P Prince 🙏 pic.twitter.com/NIxGBEp7CB
— WORLDSTARHIPHOP (@WORLDSTAR) April 22, 2016
Niagara Falls tonight in Memory of Prince. pic.twitter.com/kFdCKivhsH
— UncleDave's Mustache (@DaveJPrimo) April 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/HistoryInPix/status/723355762697760768
Google changed their doodle:
A #GoogleDoodle 4 Prince. pic.twitter.com/hcG0dTYkJ1
— Google Doodles (@GoogleDoodles) April 21, 2016
NASA also paid their own special tribute:
Image of the Day: NASA Honors Prince https://t.co/5zgHX31PAH pic.twitter.com/q5s5C8Ucpn
— Charles Johnson (@Green_Footballs) April 22, 2016
Even a flight dimmed its cabin lights to purple as a mark of respect:
Delta flight from L.A. to Minnesota shades their cabin purple to honor #Prince via @jtorigoe https://t.co/JEw3jkKowo pic.twitter.com/aAf5NRJHFi
— CNN International (@cnni) April 22, 2016
A number of street parties also took place last night and saw hundreds of people gather to play Prince’s music and celebrate him and his life.
.@SpikeLee on Prince: There's a big party in heaven tonight. https://t.co/Iw4kUAoRNA https://t.co/p0bry0Uwe4
— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) April 22, 2016
The scene @FirstAvenue in MN is insane. The whole city is jamming to Prince. #PurpleForPrince @KS95MorningShow pic.twitter.com/ez8GbECZUg
— Shannon Holly (@Shannononair) April 22, 2016
A guy pulled up a truck and is DJ-ing all Prince songs at 14th and U St. in DC from the bed of it. pic.twitter.com/CHndsOnIjE
— Darren Sands (@darrensands) April 22, 2016
Over on Broadway, the casts of The Color Purple and Hamilton remembered Prince the best way they knew how to — through song:
https://twitter.com/AmyKNelson/status/723353321172410368
Incredible tribute by @HamiltonMusical & @Lin_Manuel to @prince tonight. @stefmama you are so lucky u got to see it. https://t.co/nEgwXrUMJG
— Josh Felser (@Joshmedia) April 22, 2016
Within a matter of hours, Prince was dominating the itunes charts as fans flocked to download his songs.
19 of the top 20 songs and albums on iTunes tonight: Prince or Prince & The Revolution. pic.twitter.com/YNQVrrpyet
— Chris Geidner (@chrisgeidner) April 22, 2016
The cause of Prince’s death is yet to be confirmed and an autopsy is due to take place today. Meanwhile, fans continue to share their memories and thoughts on a star who was never afraid to stand up for his beliefs or what he felt was right.
Throughout his career, he sold more than 100 million records, released 30 studio albums, won 7 Grammys and a Best Original Score Oscar. The songs he created, either for himself or others — he wrote “Manic Monday” by The Bangles and “Nothing Compares 2U” by Sinead O’Connor, among others — means he leaves behind a musical legacy that will live on forever.
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