Today, April 21st 2020 marks the four year anniversary of the death of the greatest musician to ever walk the face of this earth, Prince Rogers Nelson.
For those who don’t know, he is also the inspiration for the name of this website. His song “Computer Blue” off the Purple Rain soundtrack is one of my favorite Prince songs. If you’ve never listened to it, do so today in his honor because it features one of his best guitar solos & ahead of its time drum programming. Purple also was Prince’s color, and it’s also my favorite as well (It doesn’t hurt that I’m also a Lakers fan!). So that’s how the name Computer Purple came to be!
Prince’s music has always been a shining light through any sort of darkness that life has brought me. When my mom passed away, Prince was there. If I needed to cry, I put on “Sometimes It Snows in April”. If I wanted to laugh I’d put on “Batdance”. Prince’s music has always been there to help with any sort of emotion that I was feeling or needed. From sad, gut-wrenching lyrics to happy pop records, his genre-less discography truly has something for everyone and every mood.
About a year before Prince passed away, he announced he was holding a Rally 4 Peace in Baltimore, Maryland to benefit Baltimore-based youth charities in the wake of the controversial death of Freddie Gray. I knew that I had to get down there to see this show, so I got a ticket and spent the day alone in Baltimore preparing for what would wind up being the best concert that I’ve ever been to.
Prince played for what seemed like forever (he had four encores) and brought out special guests including Miguel, Estelle, and Doug E. Fresh. If you’ve ever attended a Prince show, you know that going to one was like attending spiritual service with strangers who would quickly become friends. I spoke with easily 50-100 people that night that just wanted to share their stories about what Prince and his music meant to them, how many times they’ve seen him, and more.
I never would have guessed that was the last time I would be able to see him live. Prince had a very strict “No Camera” policy which was being enforced throughout the show, but I did manage to get one very quick/blurry photo (see below). While I selfishly would have loved to have more photos/videos of the show, I do understand the experience that Prince was hoping everyone would get to enjoy without their phones. I remember it like it was yesterday, and I’m sad that he’s not around to experience it again.
“We have lost our greatest living musician. But his music will never die” – Justin Timberlake
“When I saw Prince do the Super Bowl, and how he conducted not just the people but the rain. I thought to myself that’s God’s child” – Cindy Lauper
“Prince is king to me” – Robyn
“He was and is our #1 idol. Without him we would have never picked up instruments, started writing songs, or become a band. He is and will always be the most inspiring musician in our lives.” – Haim
“He was singular in his music. He was his own genre ” – Questlove
“I was watching the greatest living performer known to man sing my song to 100 million people as if it were his own (and, it goes without saying, much better than I ever could)….. It is my life’s greatest compliment.” – Dave Grohl
Nothing Compares to Prince and tonight CBS is honoring him with a tribute concert that I highly suggest checking out. The Foo Fighters, Beck, John Legend, Gary Clark Jr, Chris Martin & more will all be paying tribute to the most talented musician that we’ve ever seen.
Rest in Peace Prince – U R Missed!
