Erstellt am: 22. 4. 2016 - 11:17 Uhr

Today's Webtip: Good-night, sweet Prince

And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.

I'm not a religious man. But Prince Rogers Nelson was.

It was one of those things that a lot of people found very confusing about him. One of those many things.

Growing up in Minneapolis, it was hard not to be a fan. Even as part of the punk scene in the early 80's, his amazing mix of pop, rock, funk and jazz was required listening. We also got to know about him before he exploded on the international stage, and everyone I know has some kind of personal story involving him or his crew.

He was our David Bowie. Opening minds and expanding horizons and perspectives. Frequently forcing us to confront our own ignorance and predjudices, and blowing our minds with his almost unstoppable will to create.

He nourished a local music industry, providing a surprisingly large number of local artists, musicians and creative types with an alternative to Los Angeles or New York.

And providing more than a little glamour to a cold, grey city.

I found a clip from one of my home town TV stations that talked to a few people he had an impact on. It includes some things I hadn't known before, as well as a clip of one of his very first recordings. A guitar track made when he was 16 years old.

Prince had a reputation for being a bit difficult. He could seem arrogant, pretentious, and then astoundingly humble inside of a single situation. As with most things context was usually important. As was the case with his first acceptance speech at the American Music Awards in 1985.

But he wasn't always serious, or sexy, or super spiritual. Sometimes he just amazed me with his eye for details and situations that captured a moment or place. And sometimes he could even be silly. I was astounded to find that he had even been on The Muppet Show, and performed one of those songs that has always made me homesick for a very special time, place and person.

I never got to go to one of his legendary small club performances. When I was still in Minneapolis I was too young to get into the places he played, and over here I always found out about them much too late.

Actually, I don't think I have ever seen him live on stage. But his stadium shows could also be legendary. Like his performance at the Super Bowl in 2001. It was raining, hard, and he was on stage in an open stadium, in heels, on a pretty slick looking stage. Despite the torrential downpour, he hooked up his gear, and performed one of the most epic renditions of Purple Rain ever.

The copyright holder won't let me embed that though, so you will just have to see it here.