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Celebrities react to Prince’s shock death

EVERYONE from Barack Obama to Madonna and even NASA have reacted to Prince’s death, saying “the world just lost a lot of magic”.

Staff writers and wire
5 min read
April 22, 2016 - 1:49PM
News Corp Australia Network
The world reacts in disbelief to the news that Prince has died. Picture: AP.
The world reacts in disbelief to the news that Prince has died. Picture: AP.

MUSICIANS, actors and even politicians reacted to the death of music great Prince with shock and anguish.

News of the iconic artist’s death prompted a flood of tributes from Barack Obama to Mick Jagger, as well as ordinary fans - and even a tweet from NASA of a purple nebula, in Prince’s signature color.

US President Barack Obama paid tribute to Prince as a “one of the most gifted and prolific musicians of our time”.

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US President Barack Obama, who seldom comments on celebrity matters, lamented the loss of a “creative icon.”

“Michelle and I join millions of fans from around the world in mourning the sudden death of Prince,” he wrote on Facebook.

“Few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory of popular music more distinctly, or touched quite so many people with their talent.

“As one of the most gifted and prolific musicians of our time, Prince did it all. Funk. R&B. Rock and roll. He was a virtuoso instrumentalist, a brilliant bandleader, and an electrifying performer.”

Mr Obama also tweeted his respect for the iconic artist.

Obama last year invited Prince, along with Stevie Wonder, to perform a concert for friends at the White House, which generated a level of controversy as the event was listed as private.

Prince was famously reclusive but has occasionally taken up politics, last year writing the song Baltimore in support of African-American victims of perceived police brutality

Sheila E., a singer and percussionist who worked closely with Prince in the 1980s and briefly dated the star, said her “heart is broken”.

Madonna, who briefly dated Prince in the 1980s before a long feud that they had since resolved, mourned her fellow 1980s pop icon as a “true visionary”.

Prince, a legendary guitar player, performed on her 1989 Like a Prayer album, with the track Love Song recorded at his Paisley Park studio where he died.

Madonna included a lyric from the track in her post: “This is not a love song.”

NASA pushed a tweet of a purple nebula, in Prince’s signature color.

“I refuse to believe it.” Wally De Backer, aka Gotye, said.

De Backer was lost for words when he and his Somebody That I Used To Know collaborator Kimbra were presented with the Record of the Year Grammy by Prince in 2013.

“Many years listening to this man’s music growing up had a big reason I was inspired to make music, thank you,” De Backer told the Grammy audience.

Today, three years after standing on the same stage as his idol, the Melbourne-based artist is heartbroken.

His Kiwi collaborator Kimbra is in the same state of shock.

Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood wrote: “I will miss a good friend who was so talented. He was such a great performer/guitar player. Sleep well Prince.”

One tribute post was not enough for The Stones’ Mick Jagger.

Model Iman, who lost her husband David Bowie earlier this year, wrote: “So sad to hear of Prince’s passing; one of the greatest musical talents of my lifetime. Maybe of the 20th century. RIP.”

Here are some more reactions posted to social media or released in statements:

— “Rest in power, Prince.” - Russell Simmons.

— “The greatest live act I ever saw. Genius, poet, sexy mother f---er. RIP Prince.” - Russell Crowe.

Prince: Life in pictures
ONLINE ONLY 07 Aug 2013 --- The American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and actor Prince Rogers Nelson is better known just as Prince and is here pictured at a live concert at Skanderborg Festival 2013. Denmark 07/08 2013. --- Image by © Gonzales Photo/Christian Hjorth/The Hell Gate/Corbis
VIEW GALLERY

— “I will miss a good friend who was so talented. He was such a great performer/guitar player. Sleep well Prince.” - Ronnie Wood.

— “Today is the worst day ever. Prince R.I.P I am crying!” - Boy George.

— “I Miss My Brother. Prince Was A Funny Cat. Great Sense Of Humor.” - Spike Lee.



— “R.I.P. PRINCE, another icon gone to soon.” - Shaquille O’Neal.

— “Lots of guitars gently weeping today (hash) Prince (hash) RIP.” - Kevin Bacon.

— “Running out of living musical heroes, those we measure everything against, emulate, know we won’t surpass but inspire us to try. (hash) prince.” - Carrie Brownstein.

— The Rev Jesse Jackson praised Prince for fighting for the freedom of artists and for himself, calling him “a transformer”.

— Dang it ... Truly hate hearing we lost Prince. Sad day ...” - Blake Shelton.

— “Shocked that (at) prince has died at only 57. Such a talent to have died so young (hash) RIPPrince.” - Joan Collins.

— “So sad to hear about the loss of Prince today. (hash) RIP (hash) legend (hash) purplerain.” - Kris Jenner.

— “This is what it sounds like when doves cry ... Prince R.I.P. Condolences to his family & 2 us all.” - Whoopi Goldberg.

Mariah Carey, who covered Prince’s hit The Beautiful Ones for her 1997 album Butterfly, paid tribute to the artist at her show in Paris.

She sang One Sweet Day in tribute to her friend as she took to the stage at the AccorHotels Arena.

In a tweet, Carey said Prince was a “genius”.



— “And just like that ... the world lost a lot of magic Rest in peace Prince! Thanks for giving us so much.” - Katy Perry.

— “What a sad day today! Terribly sorry to hear that (hash) Prince has passed! What an incredible talent.” - La Toya Jackson.

— “A shock to read (hash) Prince has died. He was so magnificent at the Super Bowl that I was privileged to perform the National Anthem in sign. RIP. - Marlee Matlin.

— “PRINCE, sad to say, has passed on!!! He was a Giant. My deep condolences go out to his family, friends and fans. — Gene Simmons.

— “This (expletive) sucks. Prince on repeat all day. Just like I did with Michael and Whitney.” - Demi Lovato.

— “Rest in peace to a very beautiful soul, Prince you were an amazing artist and human being. I wish I had the honor of meeting you.” - Paris Jackson.



— “You were so special to me your presence the Music we created the dance-off’s we used to have the laughing we shared. The funk oozing out of you was uncontrollable. I’m not quite sure what to do with myself but I will miss you forever and always. I love you my dear kind friend. May all my prayers go to his family the whole band (you know who you all are, I love you all so much) anybody who felt even one little bit of what I was lucky enough to experience face to face ....” - Rita Ora.

— “MTV is heartbroken and in utter disbelief at the news that the world has lost Prince Rogers Nelson so suddenly and so before his time. Prince was a once-in-a-lifetime artist who transcended every medium and genre he touched and created music with a passion and individuality that inspired multiple generations.” - Statement from MTV.

— “I can’t. I just cannot. (hash) Prince” - Shonda Rhimes.



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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/celebrities-react-to-princes-shock-death/news-story/618f6625a4bc68a215c4e1decf4794cf