Albert Magnoli, the writer and director of Prince’s debut feature film “Purple Rain” says the news of the music legend’s death “is very difficult to process.”
In a statement on his website, Magnoli writes that Prince was not only his creative partner, but a friend.
“We shared tremendous times together during and after the making of Purple Rain,” Magnoli says. “He was a good man, complicated and diligent, and like men of his caliber, he always demanded from himself and others the very best.”
Magnoli ends his tribute with a heartbreaking sendoff, “Travel well, friend, wherever your next journey takes you.”
“Purple Rain” grossed more than $80 million at the box office in 1984 and became a cult classic. The film won an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score. It was also nominated for two Razzie Awards: Worst New Star for Apollonia Kotero and Worst Original Song for “Sex Shooter.”
The singer’s body was discovered at his Paisley Park compound in Carver County, Minnesota, on Thursday morning, the local sheriff’s office confirmed in a tweet.
“Prince Rogers Nelson (57) found dead at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, MN,” the tweet read. “We are investigating the circumstances of his death.”
Carver County officials reported “a medical, Paisley Park … for a male down not breathing,” per the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
While the cause of death has not been confirmed, Prince’s private plane made an emergency landing at Quad City International Airport in Moline, Illinois, last Friday morning as the singer was en route home from a concert in Atlanta.
“The news of Prince’s sudden and unexpected passing is very difficult to process. He was my creative partner and friend. We shared tremendous times together during and after the making of Purple Rain. I know his fans are devastated. I know his music meant so very much to so many people. He was a good man, complicated and diligent, and like men of his caliber, he always demanded from himself and others the very best. Travel well, friend, wherever your next journey takes you.”
Watch the trailer for “Purple Rain” below:
Prince's Fashion: 23 Most Outrageous Outfits Through the Years (Photos)
June 25, 1984 - Whether Prince wore low-cut blouse-like shirts, lace, or crazy patterns, his outfits were unmistakable. And he’s one of the rare people who could mix and match all colors, patterns and styles and actually get away with it. His “Purple Rain” album is one of his most famous, ranked as one of the best albums in music history.
Warner Bros.
June 15, 1991 - Prince got a little cheeky when he performed "Gett Off" at the MTV Video Music Awards. This was the most appropriate image of it we could find. And yes, we suspect many people indeed heeded his song title.
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March 24, 1993 -- Prince sported his "chain-mail police officer" look at NYC's Radio City Music Hall.
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May 04, 1994 - Prince showed off his love symbol at The World Music Awards in Monaco. In 1993, Prince adopted the symbol as his name and referred to himself as "The Artist Formerly Known as Prince."
March 6, 2003 - Prince and his then-wife, Manuela Testolini, appear backstage at the 35th Annual NAACP Image Awards, Hollywood. He wore colors that many would say clash, but in typical Prince fashion, he made it work.
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February 8, 2004 - The legend showed up in a signature tailored suit with shoulder pads, and in one of his favorite colors, purple, at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
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July 2, 2004 - Every once in a while, Prince would show up in more tone-down attire -- just a shirt and a blazer. But even then, he added elements of his personal style. At the 10th Anniversary Essence Music Festival at the Superdome in New Orleans, he showed off some chest hair.
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January 9, 2005 - The singer stayed away from bold colors at the 31st Annual People's Choice Awards at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, but wore an outfit that stars like Justin Bieber would copy in later years.
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March 19 2005 - Prince anticipated the color block trend that swept the nation in 2011, wearing a black and white sports jacket at the 36th NAACP Image Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in in Los Angeles. Prince was honored with the Vanguard Award.
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June 27, 2006 - Prince performs the Chaka Khan tribute onstage at the BET Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles wearing his signature color, purple.
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February 11, 2007 - Even when Prince strayed away from fashion trends, he managed to look cool. At the 49th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on in Los Angeles, Prince wore a white blazer matched with a teal shirt and matching handkerchief.
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March 2, 2007 - Prince wore a black and white embroidered stiff-neck top at the 38th annual NAACP Image Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on in Los Angeles.
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February 4, 2007 -- During the Super Bowl XLI halftime show, Prince wore his trademark tailored suit. But true to Prince fashion, even his most simple ensembles had a pop of bold colors: turquoise and orange.
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June 1, 2007 - Sporting a monochromatic look at the 2007 NCLR ALMA Awards held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, this is one of his simpler looks -- but it still had that cool factor.
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March 28, 2009 - At the "One Night... Three Venues" hosted by Prince and Lotusflow3r.com at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, the singer wore a baggy turtle neck sweater in crazy black-and-white patterns. Once again, it works.
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June 27, 2010 - At the 2010 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Prince dons an Asian-inspired flared turtle neck with tight white pants -- a combination that fans came to know well.
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February 27, 2011 - At the 19th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards viewing party at the Pacific Design Center on in West Hollywood, Prince wore sparkles and purple, both perfectly tailored.
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September 22, 2012 - At the 2012 iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, Prince channeled a hippie vibe, wearing bright colors to match his guitar. Weirdly enough, he wore something looking like an eye mask.
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February 10, 2013 - A simple black outfit matched with sunglasses and a touch of cane impressed fans at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
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May 19, 2013 - There's a lot of things going on here, with fringes, embellishments and crazy patterns, but like everything Prince wore, it worked. One of his favorite styles, the turtle neck, made another cameo at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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January 11, 2015 - Prince made a rare appearance at the Golden Globes for present the Best Original Song award to John Legend and Common. Sporting a bronze metallic suit with the blazer embellished with a snake skin pattern and gold details, the legend came onto the stage with a sparkly cane.
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February 8, 2015 - Who doesn't remember Prince's outfit when he handed Beck the Album of the Year award for "Morning Phase" during The 57th Annual Grammy Awards? He had a strong flower-power, 70s vibe going on, featuring beads, round sunglasses and lots of flare.
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November 22, 2015 - At the American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on in Los Angeles, Prince donned a gold snake skin vest on top of a yellow flared shirt. And those glasses? That's exactly what Prince liked to do -- make people question his outfit choices, while constantly pushing the boundaries of fashion.
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Here are just a few of Prince’s most breathtaking looks
June 25, 1984 - Whether Prince wore low-cut blouse-like shirts, lace, or crazy patterns, his outfits were unmistakable. And he’s one of the rare people who could mix and match all colors, patterns and styles and actually get away with it. His “Purple Rain” album is one of his most famous, ranked as one of the best albums in music history.
Warner Bros.
MTV
