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Artists Pay Tribute To Prince
For more than 35 years Prince was a driving force in music, inspiring countless contemporaries and new generations of musicians, all of whom are now taking time to mourn his passing. Pollstar has compiled a collection of quotations and statements paying tribute to one of music’s most celebrated icons.
Photo: David Brewster/Star Tribune via AP
Prince performs at St. Paul Civic Center in St. Paul, Minn.
Justin Timberlake posted the following on his Instagram:
It was Raspberry Beret. I was 4 years old. Yes, 4. I remember that I instantly loved it. “Mommy, who is that singing?” Seems weird but it’s true.
More than a “once in a lifetime” artist… Just a ONCE IN FOREVER ARTIST. I’m still in shock as I write this and I feel this overwhelming grief. But, we should all turn away from that and HONOR this musician that changed all of our lives, our perspectives, our feeling, our whole being. From another planet? Probably. Royalty, for sure. Us worthy..? Laughable.
They say don’t meet your idols… That they let you down. But, some of my greatest, funniest (yes, he was hilarious), and most prolific encounters and conversations about music came from the moments that I spent with him. It would be silly to say that he has inspired our music… It’s beyond that. He’s somewhere within every song I’ve ever written.
I am sad, but I will smile when I think of every second that I had the fortune of being in his company. We have lost our greatest living musician. But his music will never die.
Prince, NOTHING COMPARES…
Photo: John Shearer
Accepting the Major Tour Of The Year award at the Pollstar Concert Industry Awards at The Wiltern LG in Los Angeles.
Frank Ocean penned a tribute on his Tumblr:
I’m not even gonna say rest in peace because it’s bigger than death. I never met the man (I was too nervous the one time I saw him) and I never him play live, regrettably. I only know the legends I’ve heard from folk and what I’ve heard and seen from his deep catalog of propellant, fearless, virtuosic work. My assessment is that he learned early on how little value to assign to someone else’s opinion of you. An infectious sentiment that seemed soaked into his clothes, his hair, his walk, his guitar and his primal scream. He wrote my favorite song of all time, “When You Were Mine”. It’s a simple song, with a simple melody that makes you wish you thought of it first, even though you never would have – a flirtatious brand of genius that feels approachable. He was a straight black man who played his first televised set in bikini bottoms and knee high heeled boots, epic. He made me feel more comfortable with how I identify sexually simply by his display of freedom from and irreverence for obviously archaic ideas like gender conformity etc. He moved me to be more daring and intuitive with my own work by his demonstration – his denial of the prevailing model… his fight for his intellectual property – “slave” written across the forehead, name changed to a symbol… An all out rebellion against exploitation. A vanguard genius by every metric I know of who affected many in a way that will outrun oblivion for a long while. I’m proud to be a Prince fan(stan) for life.
Elton John posted the following on his Instagram:
This is truly devastating news. The greatest performer I have ever seen. A true genius. Musically way ahead of any of us. Sang with him twice on stage. What an honour. Rest in peace you purple warrior. #Prince #RIP
Photo: David Brewster/Star Tribune via AP
Prince performs a benefit concert for the family of Charles (Big Chick) Huntsberry in Minneapolis.
A tidal wave of artists have paid homage to Prince via Twitter:
Still mind blown about Prince passing away today. I swear life is to short…. #RIPPrince #Legend … I thank god for waking me up this morning because I’m really started to see that life is not guaranteed & should not be take for granted! … I’m sending nothing but love & prayer to all of Princes family & friends!!!! #Gonebutneverforgotten
God bless this creative giant. Thanks Prince. Love X Paul
I can’t believe it, I’m in total shock. So many wonderful memories,
I will miss him. #Prince
RIP Prince. one of the absolute greatest. such an enormous loss for the world.
Damn. RIP to a true legend. The world won’t be the same without Prince’s crazy ass.
Photo: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello
Prince performs during the second day of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif.
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
?? about Prince, one of the greatest artists has left us today. I’ll miss my friend, his advice&great humor.Thank you for your magical music.
Having impact on one’s life without ever having 2meet them is a gift given 2 few. RIP 2 the great #Prince #thankyou
“a most brilliant and exotic bird has flown into the sky. enjoy the view my friend.” – from Ani
#RIPPrince
I’m a man of words I’m kinda speechless on losing #Prince it’s like the Earth is missing a note. Little to say-only thing to do is play ….
my SoulBrother FunkBrother BloodBrother jam in peace forever
Photo: AP Photo/Chris Carlson
Prince rocks the Super Bowl XLI’s halftime show at Dolphin Stadium in Miami.
Terribly saddened by the devastating news… He truly is a legend and a hero of mine. RIP #prince
This is a BLOW….a BLOW to music. To MUSIC…….Good God. #Prince
#RestInParadise to the man of so many talents and true icon of the arts, so sad to see you go ???? #Prince
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life.” – #Prince #RIP
I cant stop crying. #prince TOO. SOON.