Goodbye, Beautiful One: Prince Rogers Nelson, 1958-2016

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…..Before the release of his best-known behemoth of an album/movie/Academy Award winner, Purple Rain, Prince amassed an enviable body of work that encompassed his own shining gems (“Controversy,” “Little Red Corvette,” “I Wanna Be Your Lover” and countless other well-beloved jams) and the mentoring musicianship that he applied to some of the most enduring talents in music history, including his own band, The Revolution, Morris Day and The Time, Sheila E., the late Vanity (Denise Matthews), and prolific producers and former Revolution band members-turned-megaproducers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who just recently praised their former boss for his visionary methods and insistence on melody and organic approaches to warm up computerized and synthesized track work.

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For nearly 20 years since his debut, no artist was more prolific or as consistently popular as Prince. Known for many romantic liaisons yet notoriously private off-stage, Prince released dozens of albums, worked with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Mint Condition and Janelle Monae, to name a few, and toured constantly—–his last performance was in Atlanta last week before falling ill—-but always remained outspoken about the shadiness of the music industry (remember the ‘slave’ inscription he wore on his face after warring with his record label over ownership of his work and his yanking of videos off of youtube?) as well as the importance of independence and profit to musicians and respect for their individuality and art……

See more at: http://www.soultracks.com/story-prince-dies#sthash.jgRxO24m.dpuf

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6 Comments

  • Reply BrownMark: Prince, The Revolution, The Past & The Future - Mother of Color : Mother of Color

    […] When Prince passed away unexpectedly in 2016, few felt the loss as keenly as his original, and most famous, band; amid mourning him, all of the remaining members of The Revolution decided to, with their one-time leader in mind, reunite and share the music with their heartbroken fans. What many once took as a nostalgia run has, instead, become a critically-acclaimed must-see live event. […]

    June 13, 2017 at 3:58 pm
  • Reply Dijourian Irby

    legend physically gone but legacy always present love the written piece

    July 27, 2016 at 1:10 pm
  • Reply Chris Irby

    Your article was very heartwrenching and touching. I am still reeling from the news about Prince’s passing. He was indeed an icon. He will be missed.

    May 4, 2016 at 8:44 pm
    • Reply Lorrie Irby Jackson

      Thanks Momma. ?? Prince simultaneously forged a path and left a void no one could ever fill, it will be years before those of us who loved him can fully accept the loss.

      May 4, 2016 at 10:25 pm
  • Reply Chad Womack

    I’m still reeling from the sucker punch that this news dished out. There is a huge hole in my life that will never be refilled without the magic this man made 2 constantly replenish it. We r brother and sister in grief and mourning my dear friend. Thank u 4 ur beautiful words Lorrie.

    April 28, 2016 at 10:21 pm
    • Reply Lorrie Irby Jackson

      You couldn’t have put it better Chad: I was just on the phone with a musician earlier this week and told her that this was one assignment that I absolutely abhored doing, but I did my best because that’s all Prince strove to give his loving and loyal fans. We are seeing the greats of our generation slip away and I am so thankful that our children could bask in just a bit of the greatness we enjoyed at their age with the likes of Prince Rogers Nelson. Glad you felt what I was saying about His Royal Badness….I meant every single word.

      April 29, 2016 at 12:18 pm

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