As with Bowie, I was never a huge fan, and don’t even own any of his records. But there was still a palpable sense of shock when I heard about his death in the queue outside the venue for The Heather Findlay Band at The Boston Music Rooms.
Prince, like Bowie, was one of the giants, and speaking to some band members after the gig made it clear he’s hugely respected by musicians regardless of the genres they work in. This quote from Chantel McGregor, who has frequently covered “Purple Rain” in her live shows says it all.
I never usually make comments like this but I'm in total shock about Prince. I'm not sure whether to cry. RIP you wonderful purple genius xx
— Chantel McGregor (@chantelmcgregor) April 21, 2016
2016 has been an awful year; it’s almost as if The Grim Reaper has traded in the traditional scythe for a combine harvester.
The heartening thing about all this is how even people who couldn’t call themselves “Prince fans” could still speak to how massively talented and influential he was. For a long time it was terribly unhip to like his music because it was popular, but
Don’t it always seem to go,
that you don’t know what you got ’till it’s gone?