Prince - We've Lost a Musical Genius

PRINCE

We’ve lost a musical genius

by Dendy Jarrett

As the reports started popping up on Harmony Central, Facebook and other social media, I kept hoping it was a stupid internet hoax, and we’d find out tomorrow that Prince was very much alive and well.

I’m afraid that won’t be the case. The artist known as Prince (Prince Rogers Nelson) has died.

Back in 1984, in the song "Let’s Go Crazy" from the soundtrack to Prince's hit movie Purple Rain, he said: “Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life.” And that he did. If you're a musician, you could not help  being  touched by his music. Period.

As we move through our lives as musicians, those who have such a major impact on music are few and far between. These are the musicians who aren't afraid to break barriers…or stand against the status quo. Prince was truly one of those few.

He was born in 1958 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and stayed true to his town. He was found dead in his Minnesota studio early on Thursday, April 21st, 2016. I would like to think that maybe he was making music when his time was up on this earth...

He and his backing band, The Revolution (and later the New Power Generation), catapulted him into the status of a music icon in his day with the likes of Michael Jackson and Madonna. And like many of the great artists, his music remains timeless.

The full extent of Prince’s contribution to contemporary music is difficult to quantify, given that his influence ranged far and wide. However one thing's for sure: Prince influenced an entire generation of musicians not only to make better music, but to explore the outer limits of the musical experience. Prince is no longer with us, but he left us a musical legacy for which we are eternally grateful.

Leave your thoughts or post your memories here:  R.I.P Prince

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Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.