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Prince dies at 57

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Illinois

* This is just so shocking…

The artist known as Prince has died … TMZ has learned. He was 57.

Prince’s body was discovered at his Paisley Park compound in Minnesota early Thursday morning.

Multiple sources connected to the singer confirmed he had passed.

The singer — full name Prince Rogers Nelson — had a medical emergency on April 15th that forced his private jet to make an emergency landing in Illinois. But he appeared at a concert the next day to assure his fans he was okay. His people told TMZ he was battling the flu.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 12:37 pm

Comments

I saw him at the Rio Casino in Las Vegas in 2007, small venue, fantastic performer. RIP.

Comment by Amtrak Fan Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 12:39 pm
(Begin Sarcasm) OMG you were almost 1 hour behind on this news…. Check your sources faster!!!!… (end sarcasm)

Sad day for music that is for sure.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 12:40 pm
2016 has not been a good year for iconic musicians. Perhaps someone should put a 24 hour guard on Willie Nelson and Eric Clapton.

Comment by Bronco Bahma Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 12:43 pm
This is turning out to be a really bad year for losing celebrated and groundbreaking musicians…and it’s only April.

Comment by John Gregory (ex-IRN) Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 12:43 pm
One of the best live shows I’ve ever seen and that was back in his late 40s. He lost nothing on his live show fastball over that career. Gone too soon.

Comment by Chicago Bars Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 12:48 pm
Big loss, not just for the music that has lasted and still stand the test of time. Prince represented the music and pop culture of his time.

For me, a rite of passage included working ridiculously late in a campaign office and sometime during the night… play Prince music.

Prince wrote music for many, introduced the world to artists with “humbled silence” and a flamboyant persona that wanted us all to watch and be enthralled by him, while keeping us at an arms length while not alienating us as a consequence. That speaks to his “entertainer” genius.

Prince embraced the video culture of his time, setting a standard of video entertainment that artist realized they needed to keep pace to his far reaching vision.

Lots of memories…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 12:48 pm
His halftime show at Superbowl XLI might be the best of them all.

:-(

Comment by thunderspirit Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 12:51 pm
- Bronco Bahma - Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 12:43 pm:
2016 has not been a good year for iconic musicians. Perhaps someone should put a 24 hour guard on Willie Nelson and Eric Clapton.

I’d also check on Sting and Bono too–in case the “deaths in threes” thing affects those celebrities best known by one name. First it was Chyna (’90s/early ’00s WWF star) whose death was announced this morning, now Prince.

Comment by Leatherneck Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 12:52 pm
We all gently weep.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 12:54 pm
Nooooo. Amazing talent.

Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 12:56 pm
Very shocking.

I remember working one late night, like a Sunday or Monday, and I saw this line forming at the Metro in Chicago. The line just kept getting longer and longer until it was huge. What were all these people doing in line at 1 a.m. on a Monday morning?

They were waiting in line for an impromptu Prince concert, previously unannounced.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 12:59 pm
Another connection between Prince and Illinois: Prince wrote the songs for and produced Chicagoan Mavis Staple’s 1989 album, featuring the beautiful and now appropriate single, “Time Waits For No One” Here is the video, with Prince at 3:43:

https://youtu.be/58dovnV5fYY

RIP, Prince - and thank you.

Comment by Scott Fawell's Cellmate Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 12:59 pm
Crushed. A true talent who will be missed.

Comment by Robert Montgomery Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 1:00 pm
Kevin Smith on working with Prince

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LhcParuzpc

Comment by Newsclown Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 1:06 pm
Flu is something that no one takes very seriously, but it can still be a killer. My aunt had a long bout with the 2015 flu last winter and then found that it had effectively destroyed her heart. She died within a month.

Comment by Skirmisher Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 1:06 pm
I was just going to post the link Anonymous did.

If you are a fan of Prince, the guitarist, he comes in at the 3:30/6:15 mark and plays an unbelievable track for the lead of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Truly a genius. Crank it up.

One of my favs. RIP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y

Comment by cdog Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 1:09 pm
Fantastic performer and genius song writer he will be missed….reports are that he died of complications from aids.

Comment by NorthsideNoMore Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 1:26 pm
In my humble opinion, the most talented entertainer of my generation after Michael Jackson. I’m not a huge fan of his music but he was an incredible musician, singer, dancer, and song writer. RIP your Purpleness

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 1:35 pm
I was having lunch with friends when I saw a special news report announcing his death. It actually brought tears to eyes. I even named my dog after this guy.

Comment by Waldi Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 1:49 pm
A few months ago, you posted a Friday video compilation of “As My Guitar Gently Weeps” with Prince, Steve Winwood, Tom Petty and others. He was phenomenal in that. What a tremendous loss.

Comment by Stones Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 1:58 pm
Are we gonna let De-elevator
Bring us down?
Oh, no! Let’s go!
Let’s go crazy.
Let’s get nuts.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 2:04 pm
what?!?!? (me yelling as I hear the news on the radio in my car) the guy was a genius. saw him at the rubbish Rosemont arena which was absolutely rocking as we never sat down because the music was so vibrant. the guitar work was just about the best. an amazing mix of Hendrix meets James Brown. edgy, raw, his own unique and very interesting person. I am so very sad.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 2:44 pm
Saw him at the United Center three and a half years ago. Never danced so hard in my life.

Comment by Ace Laredo Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 2:51 pm
Prince must have been the 80’s-est thing about the 80’s. Another one of a kind talent gone too soon.

Comment by SAP Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 2:53 pm
From President Obama, true words:

Today, the world lost a creative icon. Michelle and I join millions of fans from around the world in mourning the sudden death of Prince. Few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory of popular music more distinctly, or touched quite so many people with their talent. As one of the most gifted and prolific musicians of our time, Prince did it all. Funk. R&B. Rock and roll. He was a virtuoso instrumentalist, a brilliant bandleader, and an electrifying performer.

“A strong spirit transcends rules,” Prince once said — and nobody’s spirit was stronger, bolder, or more creative. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his band, and all who loved him.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 3:44 pm
He was a lot like David Bowie. A musical genius who was successful at constantly recreating himself. RIP.

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 4:56 pm
The artist formerly known as Prince had talent galore. “Purple Rain” was a terrific movie too.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 5:29 pm
Thunder, I saw Prince at Super Bowl XLI, too. His performance was the highlight of the night for my group.

POTUS +1

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 6:36 pm
When you talk about all-around, multi instrumental talent, I’m not sure he had an equal. Very sad loss.

Comment by BigDoggie Thursday, Apr 21, 16 @ 7:43 pm