Prince See you at the after-party

By Richie DeMaria

PURPLE ROYALTY: Goodnight, sweet Prince — a
king and a prince, and a queen in his ways, too. So all-encompassing and
wide-reaching was the Minneapolis-born megastar in his influence and
impact that he can lay reasonable claim to all titles of rock royalty.
As of last week, we can now count him among the stars, along with David
Bowie and Merle Haggard, whose earthly glint the passage of 2016 has
snuffed out but who will burn brightly forever in the minds and skies of
listeners and lovers into eternity.

For a man like Prince simply
doesn’t die — even in his death, he will continue to do more and
influence more than many still living. I was lucky to see the Artist
twice in 2011, when he played a 21-show residency at Los Angeles Forum
in Inglewood. Those shows were legendary. Just about everyone in L.A.
had a different story of their show, recounting with awe their night’s
15-minute rendition of “Purple Rain” or a dramatic “Darling Nikki,” or
Sheila E.’s incredible drum solo, or what guest star showed up, with
artists such as Stevie Wonder or Gwen Stefani or Janelle Monáe joining
in on the fun.

What’s more, Prince, like
Bowie, stood for self-expression. He was flexible in scope and style, a
beautiful shape-shifter who showed a kind of compassionately trans-human
perspective on the world — see “If I Was Your Girlfriend.” He inspired
us all in his colorful individuality and encouraged us all to live with a
little more flavor and passion.

With immense gratitude and love, we bid you farewell, Prince. See you at the after-party.

Tracklist

1	The most Beautiful Girl In The World by Prince
2	Delirious by Prince
3	The Song Of The Heart by Prince
4	Musicology by Prince
5	Black Sweat by Prince
6	Kiss by Prince
7	Purple Rain by Prince
8	Cream by Prince
9	My Name Is Prince by Prince
10	Raspberry Beret by Prince
11	I Wanna Ber Your lover by Prince
12	U Got The look by Prince
13	1999 by Prince
14	When Doves Cry by Prince