Photo: Prince’s last show in Austin during SXSW 2013. Credit: Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
It’s only April, and we’ve lost yet another music legend. Here at KUTX, all eyes were on Minnesota this morning as reports came flooding in of a death at Prince’s Paisley Park compound. Prince’s publicist confirmed the news to the Associated Press this morning: Prince Rogers Nelson was dead at age 57.
Prince’s impact cannot be underestimated – from forging the unique “Minneapolis Sound” in the 1980’s, to launching the careers of artists from The Time to Janelle Monae, to inspiring bands and artists like Spoon, St. Vincent, Alabama Shakes, Tame Impala and countless others.
All day long on KUTX today, we’ll be honoring Prince by featuring some of our favorite tracks. Friday at 8 A.M., Adrian Quesada will join Jeff McCord to share stories about his experiences as a musician playing with Prince. Then later Friday night from 7-11 P.M., Rick McNulty will host a special all-Prince edition of Left of the Dial*. We’ll be collecting reactions from Austin artists here, too – keep checking back.
* In compliance with the Digital Millenium Copyright Act, the KUTX stream will be turned off during Left of the Dial Friday night. If you stream KUTX from afar, we encourage you to put your favorite Prince records on your turntable and play them unreasonably loud.
Below, Austin musicians remember Prince.
Seeing Prince play was like witnessing God’s love.
— SPOON (@spoontheband) April 21, 2016
at a loss for words. P was a genius, honored to have been a footnote in his story. RIP – there will never be another pic.twitter.com/pgG71NUWET — Adrian Quesada (@adrianmquesada) April 21, 2016
Didn’t cry until my lil bro sent me this pic. So lucky to have met the man. Can’t believe he’s gone. pic.twitter.com/5evMkJ6WTi
— Yogi Bari (@yogi_bari) April 21, 2016
A legend. An innovative powerhouse. The symbol. And one of our heroes. R.I.P. Prince
— Magna Carda (@MagnaCarda) April 21, 2016
Oh god no. ?? My heart is broken. In total shock. Prince is dead!?! https://t.co/qAfHJoKThG
— Nakia (@Nakia) April 21, 2016
Man, 2016 is losing some of the greatest of all time. RIP
— DeltaSpirit (@deltaspirit) April 21, 2016
Watch for Prince’s guitar solo at 3:24.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y
