TRIBUTE
Purple city: Minneapolis mourns Prince Prince was an international superstar, a prolific recording artist, a virtuoso on multiple instruments, an actor, a trend-setter, a rule-breaker. And to the city of Minneapolis, he was ours. Words by RITA FARMER
He told Oprah in an interview in 1996: “I will always live
of stories and memories, the way the city reacted.
in Minneapolis...it’s so cold it keeps the bad people out.”
It was amazing...heartfelt, and so real...sad at times,
He loved this city and, this weekend, residents came out
but mostly celebratory, and such a testament to the
in droves to show just how much we loved him back.
incredible impact that Prince had on people.”
The moment news of his death spread, people flocked
From public outdoor screenings of Purple Rain that
to honor Prince at First Avenue, the club which was
drew thousands of people, to the bells at Minneapolis
famously featured in his 1984 movie, Purple Rain. The
City Hall playing Prince songs, to spontaneous murals
club and nearby intersection became a memorial for
and works of public art in his honor, to Prince’s signature
Prince for the rest of the weekend with impromptu
color purple being displayed absolutely everywhere,
concerts, all nightdance parties, and a shrine next to
residents of Minneapolis came together in a way I don’t
Prince’s star on the wall.
recall ever seeing in my lifetime. Growing up in North Minneapolis, there was a sense
Local photographer Jayme Halbritter arrived at First
among people in my neighborhood that they could do
Avenue the afternoon of Prince’s death to document
anything because they were from the same place as
the crowds and he didn’t leave until the next day. Jayme
Prince. The world lost a music legend last week, but
describes the scene: “I have never experienced such
Minneapolis lost its hero.
a phenomenon, the outpouring of people, the flood
May he rest in peace. May he rest in power.
MINNEAPOLIS
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