Purple Tears from Heaven

I was incredibly sad to learn about the death of Prince last Thursday. I grew up listening to his iconic music and it is hard to comprehend he is really gone. He was a legend who transformed the music industry during the 1980s. He was an original, he had a style all his own and his work will forever live on. He made statements with his music, both in writing and performing. However, more than just music, Prince was a social and animal rights activist and a committed vegan. He was taken too soon, at the age of 57, and millions are mourning him around the world.

I was just a kid when his hit song, 1999, was released in 1982. I remember thinking that 1999 was a long way away and I wondered what the world would be like in 1999. I danced to that song on New Year's 1999 into 2000, thinking back to 1982 when it was released. His music spanned decades, in 2016 now, the song 1999 is still well loved. I can't even speak about Purple Rain and some of his other big hits like Let's Go Crazy, Little Red Corvette and Raspberry Beret. Purple Rain has so much emotion that just listening to that song, I feel like I personally knew Prince. He connected with his fans through his music.

Since his tragic death, all I have wanted to do is listen to his music. I watched the Super Bowl Halftime Show from 2007 again. I watched his videos on Youtube. I listened to song after song on various radio stations. I followed the posts on Instagram and Facebook.

There is something about the death of an iconic person during our lifetime. It reminds us of our own mortality and that no amount of fame, fortune, talent or love can stop death from happening. No one is immortal.

Prince was a one of a kind, he pushed the boundaries of music and created his own unique style of rock, soul and funk. He was also a very talented song writer and wrote many popular hits for other artists. He will be missed by millions of fans but his music will forever live on. I can only hope that Prince, Michael Jackson and David Bowie are rocking in Heaven now. They were all taken too soon from this Earth.

Do you have any memories you want to share of Prince, growing up with his music or maybe attending one of his concerts? Please share with me at suekrawitz@outlook.com.

Rest in peace, Prince. #Prince