ten years ago today

prince passed away

in paisley park

his minnesota home and recording studio

gone way too soon

at 57  years old

this multi – genre virtuosic musician

created more than 30 albums

 won seven Grammy Awards over a 40-year career

As a teenager, Prince played in bands with his friends, when he was 20, he signed his first record contract with Warner Bros.,  that same year released his debut album, For You. Nearly every year after that he released a new album.

—

‘ few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory

of popular music more distinctly,

or touched quite so many people with their talent.’

 –  President Obama

—

my personal prince story – fifteen minutes 

years ago

I finally had a chance 

to get tickets to see him in concert

 he was coming to the detroit area on tour

as long time fans 

 my friend and I got in line early to try to get tickets

after waiting  for a very long time

we  finally got close to the front 

just as they announced 

‘it is totally sold out!’

we were so disappointed to say the least

but as we were about to walk away

they said ‘good news- don’t get out of line..’

‘he’s decided to add a second show the next night!’

what perfect luck,

 we hurriedly bought two tickets 

 nabbed incredible seats very close to the stage

it was a dream come true

 outside, we told everyone what happened

drove back to my house and were celebrating our luck 

when the realization hit me

because the additional show would be on a different night 

it would be a night when I’d be out of town in Dallas for my job

hadn’t even thought about this when I bought the tickets

no possible way to get out of the trip

no way to see prince 

but I did have fifteen minutes

where I was sure I was going to see him live

and what a wonderful fifteen minutes those were.

—

“the truth is, you are either here to enlighten or to discourage.” 

― prince

 

 

 

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photo credit: michael ochs