When you lose a celebrity, that you didn't know personally, I know we all feel bad for the family and the talent that has left us for a higher place. But when I heard about Prince passing, it felt like I lost a person, a friend that was trusted that has been there in my life for many years.
I first learned of the greatness that was Prince, in 1978 with the song "I wanna be your lover", oh how I loved that tune and would play it constantly. My father's dance studio also had the record because turns out it was quite danceable even in ballroom format. A nice swing if you will. Since this was pre-video days and internet, I had to rush out to see what this angel looked like. I was not disappointed. He was a beautiful looking man with a sexy bad boy glint in his eye. I was hooked. Sounds good and looks good? Sold!
Then when I got into a college, my dorm mate had a huge poster of Prince on her wall. It was him in the shower and it was brilliant! I remember walking into her room and just standing there in a trance. All his music rushed back and I felt like he was there with us in that room. Obviously, this was not the case, but you get my drift. Prince was all over Atlanta in the early 80's and he would come to venues and bring other talented folks like The Time and Appolonia it was just a great time to be a young adult. Other musicians who have passed this year like Bowie and Glenn Frey they were around earlier than I recall and I considered them another generation of music back then, but Prince was my generation much like MJ. I feel like Prince and I went through these last years together on the journey we call life with it's ups and downs but we were still having fun and doing our thing. Prince was a few years older than me, but his loss feels greater to me because he was there when I was young and he's always been there, for all of us Im sure, until yesterday. April 21, 2016 was the day the world lost an icon, a legend, a peacemaker, a man who made us think, who showed us where love is and how to sprinkle love, kindness, good thoughts and how to strive to be better people as a whole.
He will always be missed by the masses, but thankfully, we will always have his music. May we never forget the messages he wove so well in his many amazing soungs. Rest in Peace Prince Rogers Nelson.
