Tonight I felt a sudden burst of sadness that Prince is dead.

[byronius]

Strange. Purple Rain popped up on the iPod. I know he's a weirdo; but damn, dude's got such skill.

It's more than that. He meant something hard to describe; artistic bravery, a finality, a perfection -- his public performances were dangerous, goddamned edgy, freaked out -- like the peak flower of reborn Hendrix cooked in the eighties, I don't know -- it felt like anything could happen.

I once tried not to like Prince. And old friend and I had a ritual, sitting down and smoking after work, and she would always put on his first album. It took time, but finally I got hooked.

I went to see every film; I think they were almost better than the music. I fell out somewhere after the Batman phase, but I never fell out of awe for the skill.

What is it about Prince? Dude's just beaming out. Beaming. Sizzling. Crazy Insecure masked by No Fear. Insistent. Dedicated.

He did the work.

I miss him, suddenly. Thought I had done my grieving for Prince, but no. That song is part of America, he's part of America, a part of history, and gone too soon.

[dchill]

1. A huge talent, gone too soon...

Eric Clapton, when asked what it felt like to be the world's best guitar player, said, "I don't know - ask Prince."

[montana_hazeleyes]

3. I was just thinking of this exact quote!

Prince was so talented. He mastered it all. It's hard to even think that one person could be so exceptional at everything he did.

I love Prince and feel fortunate to have been to two of his concerts.

[stopwastingmymoney]

2. No fear is key I think

That and a confidence in his own enormous musical talent.

He was simply the best, and he knew it.

My friends and I were obsessed with the first five albums as young teens before Purple Rain. If you haven't listened to it lately, 1999 is a masterpiece. Listen to the whole album, seriously.

He was my favorite, I cried when he died, there will never be another like him, RIP.

[Leighbythesea]

4. A epic loss

I was voted mostly likely to still be a rabid Prince fan 20 years after graduation. Well duh. He was in a class by himself.

[Kittycow]

5. His death was such a personal blow to me...

I can't say that I am the kind of fan that knows all his work, but his music was woven into some of the happiest days of my life.

RIP, my friend.

[Sunlei]

6. "Can you make it rain harder?" said one of the greatest performers ever to live.

Prince's iconic Super Bowl XLI Halftime Show through a rain and wind storm. commentary by producer.

Prince - Super Bowl XLI - Halftime Show - Full Set

[Exotica]

7. my favourite song ever by him

vimeo.com/167434944