CHICAGO — The musician Prince has died at 57, leaving a lasting legacy in Chicago and beyond.
The musician famous for "Purple Rain," "Kiss" and other hits made his Chicago debut at the Uptown Theatre in February 1980, returning and playing at the UIC Pavilion, United Center, Chicago Theatre and other spots throughout the years.
Prince last played for Chicagoans in June 2013 at the City Winery while in town to play at George Lucas and Mellody Hobson's wedding.
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Prince’s most recent large-scale tour to stop in Chicago was in 2012, when he performed a multinight run at the United Center for his "Welcome 2 Chicago" performances. The United Center shows were accompanied by late-night jam sessions at the House of Blues.
Prince was born in Minneapolis, and the Purple One was known for his provocative lyrics, wide vocal range and flamboyant stage presence over his three-decade career as a funk, R&B and pop pioneer. He also helped pioneer the Minneapolis sound and bring to the spotlight artists like Morris Day, The Time and Vanity 6. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, won numerous Grammy awards as well as an Oscar and is consistently ranked as one of the top artist of all time.
A few months ago his fans in the city dubbed themselves "Merry Princemas" carolers and sang his songs for the holidays, swapping out "White Christmas" for "When Doves Cry."
Prince had been battling a flu the weeks before his death, even making an emergency landing at the Quad Cities International Airport last week where he was taken to the hospital and treated.
Chicagoans, including Chance the Rapper, weighed in on the legendary musician's death:
Listen to tangerine by Prince or his cover of A case of you
— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) April 21, 2016
I always assumed that it'd be discovered that we were all just a figment inside Prince's head before it'd be discovered that he was *mortal*
— dan sinker (@dansinker) April 21, 2016
I assumed Prince would live forever and then one day float off into outerspace. If there is such a thing as "too cool to die", that's Prince
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) April 21, 2016
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