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Prince Memoriam: Darcy cartoon

CLEVELAND,Ohio -- 'Purple Rain' became the signature anthem for Prince.  From age 19 to his sudden passing, his musical genius rained down on millions who joyfully danced and grooved in it.

In his 57 years swaggering on the planet, Prince Rogers Nelson fused  R & B, Funk, Hip Hop, Pop, Rock and Jazz, to produce a portfolio of unforgettable recording, theatrical and live performance masterpieces.
Prince's performances generated a following that was marked by its diversity of gender, race, ages and ethnicity.   Mick Jagger, Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Paul McCartney are just a few of the musical giants who were in awe of his talent.
That Prince was a virtuoso musician, songwriter, singer,producer and performer was plain to see and hear.   According to close associates, what is less known is that privately, he had great sense of humor with comic chops said to be on par with Eddie Murphy.  
Prince was also said to be a news junkie, who took active interest in social,cultural,civic and charitable causes, which he often donated to anonymously.
In far more public displays, Prince was a crusader for the rights of creative artists.  When music executives threatened his right to continue using  the name he was born with, he wrote 'slave' on his cheek and began identifying himself with a symbol.
One national music critic claimed this week that was the point where Prince's music took a back seat.    In fact, it was an example of the lengths Prince would go to fight for his music that never left the front seat of his little red corvette.    In 2000 he returned to using his name, and eventually gained ownership of all his music.
Prince was just one cool dude.  And one of the coolest things about him is that he could have lived anywhere but his stayed in his hometown.  While his talent was in the stratosphere, he was in his Minneapolis residence and studio 'Paisley Park'.
As can be seen from recent news footage, the compound is right on a public road and near a freeway.   He would open his home/studio for impromptu concerts and different groups like a visiting association of young minority journalists.   When he wasn't performing at local clubs himself, he was in the audience listening to the other performers.   He was seen at a local jazz club and out riding his bike, just days before his passing.
An autopsy has been performed but the results won't be known for at least a week. TMZ  reported Prince had been taking pain medication for hip problems.  He reportedly had hip surgery at some point.   Friday it was also reported that he was battling walking pneumonia.
Prince was known for being extremely health conscious and looked far younger than his 57 years.   However, no matter how fit and slight of build you are, constant jumping off risers on stage into spins and splits, thrills  audiences but not hips.   It's tragic that the stage moves that are part of what made fans love him, also may have played a part in his passing.
While the music God proved to be mortal, his music may prove to be immortal.  Prince was so prolific one of his beefs with his record company was that they wouldn't release albums as often as he wanted.  The result is a vault filled with tons of previously unreleased music.
When I went into my own music vault to look for the several Prince CD's in it, the first one I found was 'Rave un2 the Joy fantastic'.   I think that's what Prince would like all his fans like me to do in memory of him.