As soon as we heard the news that Prince had died at the age of 57, everyone in our newsroom began telling their stories of seeing him play live.
For many people, getting to see Prince play was essentially a religious experience.
Here are some of his most famous performances. He’ll definitely be missed.
2007 Super Bowl halftime show
In 2007, Prince played a 12-minute Super Bowl halftime show — in the pouring rain. His covers of Bob Dylan and Creedence Clearwater Revival, as well as his own hits, are widely regarded as one of the best halftime shows of all time.
Fittingly, he closed with “Purple Rain”
It’ll send shivers down your spine.
Michael Jackson, James Brown, and Prince at the Beverly Center, 1983
This clip is everything.
James Brown introduces Michael Jackson, who looks straight out of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and everyone loses their mind.
But then he brings on Prince, who comes in getting a piggy-back ride from what looks like an actual giant. It’s so fun and ridiculous that you might have trouble believing that it’s actually happening.
Prince and Lenny Kravitz, “American Woman” from Rave un2 the Year 2000
So. Much. Hair.
It’s really cool to see Prince, who was typically so high-energy on stage, paired up here with Lenny Kravitz, who is normally more laid back.
Welcome 2 Tour, 2010-2012
This clip is from Prince’s two-year and three-continent tour. It’s often regarded as one of the best worldwide tours of all time.
“Are ya hot?” “No.” “Do you know why?” “Why?” “Because you’re cool.”
^Say this 3 times to yourself in the mirror every morning and maybe you’ll be on Prince’s level one day. Maybe.
We’re really heartbroken, and we’re sure we’re missing a ton of his other performances. What’s your favorite?
Every morning when I wake up now my first thought is, Prince is dead.
I think my mind is trying to adjust to living in a world where my favourite musician in the world no longer inhabits it.
One of the things that has surprised me is how deeply and personally people connected to his music. I thought it was only me, who celebrated and danced wildly to his music in public while privately finding deep solace and meaning in his lyrics and melodies.
What a rare talent it is to have been able to write songs that were so popular on such a massive scale, yet that were so profound that they touched people in the deepest recesses of their souls.
Knowing that there are so many others who share my feelings brings me great solace. I am not alone. I don’t have to explain with words I cannot find what he, and his music, brought to my life.
You all understand. You were there.
And it was amazing.
I hope @soulsistrin doesn’t mind me reblogging this. I had to because this is literally the thought process that happens in my head every time I wake up now smh. I’m thankful to have Tumblr as a space to air out my grieving soul, but.. The feels, omg all of the feelsss
It’s 6 years today since Prince died…
I still miss him. It still breaks my heart.
RIP to the Purple One.
Thanks for providing the soundtrack to my adolescent and young adult life.
