One of the most iconic artists of our time and a favorite son of Minneapolis, Prince, was found dead in Chanhassen at his Paisley Park compound Thursday morning. He was 57.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The entire state of Minnesota seemed to be in shock and mourning once news of Prince\u2019s passing spread. Tributes began sprouting up almost immediately with fans heading to Paisley Park (his Chanhassen, MN recording studio) and First Avenue \u2013 the Downtown Minneapolis club Prince made famous in the classic movie, \u201cPurple Rain.\u201d That shock may have been felt hardest by those closest to the man who created what is now known as the \u201cMinneapolis Sound.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe reason I came to Minneapolis was because I heard Prince\u2019s music and I said I want to go there and be in a band,\u201d said Ricky Kinchen, bassist for the soul\/funk band Mint Condition. \u201cAs a kid I heard Prince play the bass and I was blown away. He\u2019s the reason I\u2019m funky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Mint Condition bass player said in many ways he and his bandmates owe their careers to Prince.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere probably is no Mint Condition without Prince. Prince signed The Time, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (of The Time) signed us, but that doesn\u2019t happen without Prince.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kinchen said a close friend called him from outside of Paisley Park and told him there was a death at the compound. Immediately Kinchen speculated it was Prince.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAt that point I just started tearing up. I was just hoping it wasn\u2019t him,\u201d said Kinchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mint Condition played multiple shows with Prince, including shows in Paris, Belgium and as part of the 21 straight shows in Los Angeles at the Forum in 2011. Kinchen said one of his biggest regrets is he never got a picture together with the icon. Of his fondest memories of Prince, Kinchen said it was watching and hearing him play guitar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen he hit the guitar \u2026 man. And he got better each time. Nobody<\/em> could play like that \u2026 nobody<\/em>,\u201d said Kinchen. \u201cHe was close to 60 and he was better than most in their prime.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paris Strother, producer and singer with the Grammy Award-winning band KING, said she was devastated to hear of the passing of Prince, who mentored the group for the past five years. Paris Strother, along with her twin sister Amber Strother and Anita Bias came under Prince\u2019s wing following the release of their 2011 EP, \u201cThe Story.\u201d Prince heard the three-song set and reached out to the group, inviting them to a show in Charlotte, N.C. The group would later work and record out of Prince\u2019s studio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTo work with him and knowing how he wanted the world to hear us was such an honor,\u201d said Paris Strother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She said KING remained in close contact with Prince and just two days prior to his passing they agreed to play a show at Paisley Park in August. The trio recently played an intimate sold out show at the Ice House and Prince came to hear the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe didn\u2019t know if he was coming our not but he came and had an area set up for him and a girl near him told us that he said, \u2018Wow, did you hear that? Did you hear that,\u2019 talking about something we did during our song \u2018Hey.\u2019 He seemed to be blown away and a fan saw him and started talking loud because she was so excited to see him and he told her, \u2018Shut up and listen.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paris Strother said her phone was deluged with text messages alerting her of Prince\u2019s death. She said Amber Strother was with her when she got the news and Bias came to join them so they could be together to comfort one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe affectionately called him Dad,\u201d said Paris Strother. \u201cWe\u2019re taking it as a family loss.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Obama on Prince<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The reaction to the passing of Prince Rogers Nelson; more commonly simply known as Prince, has come from all reaches of society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prince was found unresponsive at Paisley Park \u2013 his home and entertainment compound \u2013 early Thursday (April 21) morning. He was 57.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The death came as a shock to most, even after word spread that the prior week his plane had to make an emergency landing due to what was said to be flu-like symptoms. But Saturday before his death Prince hosted a party at Paisley and reportedly told fans he was in good health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Statements from around the globe flooded in, with dignitaries and celebrities expressing their condolences. Even President Obama issued a statement within hours of Prince\u2019s passing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe world lost a creative icon,\u201d said the president. \u201cMichelle 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 \u2013 funk \u2026 R&B \u2026 rock and roll. He was a virtuoso instrumentalist, a brilliant bandleader, and an electrifying performer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gov. Mark Dayton said in a statement that Prince made Minnesota a better place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPrince, and his music, defined an era,\u201d said Dayton in a statement. \u201cHis tremendous talent was matched only by his generosity and commitment to improving his community. Minnesotans and our nation mourn the loss of a great artist today; one who has left an unforgettable mark on music history, and whose contributions to the betterment of our state will be remembered for years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPrince, and his music, defined an era. His tremendous talent was matched only by his generosity and commitment to improving his community. Minnesotans and our nation mourn the loss of a great artist today; one who has left an unforgettable mark on music history, and whose contributions to the betterment of our state will be remembered for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges said Prince was a city treasure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor the residents of Minneapolis, the loss of Prince is too large to describe. His music brought untold joy to people all over the world. But in Minneapolis, it is different. It (his death) is harder here,\u201d said Hodges in her statement. \u201cPrince was a child of our city and his love of his hometown permeated many of his songs. Our pride in his accomplishments permeates our love of Minneapolis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFrom his youth in the Minneapolis Public Schools, to his graduation from Central High School, to his breakthrough performance at the Capri on Broadway Avenue, to his worldwide success, he was one of us. He gave us more opportunities to hear his music than anyone else. What a blessing. Only now may we realize how lucky we were.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rep. Keith Ellison said April 21 will be remembered as a dark day in history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy heart is heavy with the news of Prince\u2019s passing. To the people of Minnesota, Prince was a cultural ambassador. He inspired countless others around the world with his music and theatrics. Prince showed us it was okay to be different. He showed us that the best way to be cool was to be yourself,\u201d said Ellison. \u201cPrince wasn\u2019t merely a pop star \u2013 to many of us, he was much, much more. The world will be a little less bright without Prince in it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sen. Amy Klobuchar thanked Prince for being the state\u2019s top ambassador.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI grew up with Prince\u2019s music. He was a superstar composer, an amazing performer and a music innovator with a fierce belief in the independence of his art. He made \u2018Purple Rain\u2019 a household name, First Avenue a landmark, and brought international fame to Minnesota\u2019s music scene. I was always so proud to say \u2018Prince, he is from Minnesota.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" One of the most iconic artists of our time and a favorite son of Minneapolis, Prince, was found dead in Chanhassen at his Paisley Park compound Thursday morning. He was 57. The entire state of Minnesota seemed to be in shock and mourning once news of Prince\u2019s passing spread. 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