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World Mourns the Death of Music Legend Prince

HeadlineApr 22, 2016

The world is mourning the loss of the music legend Prince.

Prince: “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life. Oh, no, let’s go.”

That’s Prince performing “Let’s Go Crazy” at the 2007 Super Bowl. He died at his home in Minnesota at the age of 57. He became a global musical phenomenon in the 1980s, with albums such as “1999,” “Purple Rain” and “Sign O’ the Times.” His inventive music spanned funk, rock and jazz—while his gender-bending performances shattered expectations of gender and sexuality. On Thursday, President Obama released a statement saying, “Today, the world lost a creative icon. … Few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory of popular music more distinctly, or touched quite so many people with their talent.”

Across the country, fans and fellow artists celebrated Prince’s legacy, including Stevie Wonder, who spoke with CNN’s Anderson Cooper.

Stevie Wonder: “He just passionately loved music. It’s like when musicians can jam, there’s nothing like it in the whole world.”

Anderson Cooper: “I don’t want to put you on the spot. Is there any song you want to sing a little of or play a little of? Or, again, I don’t want to put you on the spot if you’re not up for it.”

Stevie Wonder: “Yeah, I think I would probably break down if I do a song right now. But, you know, he was incredible. And I’m just glad that I was able to say to him 'I love you' the last time I saw him.”

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