Prince R.I.P.

1. It’s been 7 hours and 14 days since the shocking announcement on the 21st April 2016 shook
the world about Prince’s sudden premature death. Since this fateful day, I have been
functioning daily in what seems to be an emotional ‘fog’. After reading so many wonderful
tributes and messages from around the world, I know I am not alone.
NOBODY could have been prepared for this tragic news! Despite the fact, it hasn’t been the
best year for unexpected deaths in the entertainment world, Prince was the last person I
would have predicted to join that list! He had stunned us all again - only this time, it wasn’t
due to one of his usual ‘blow the roof off the venue’ performances - this time, it was
devastating headlines about his demise and I couldn’t quite comprehend what I was hearing.
The outpouring of grief/love and incredible Tributes for him, as well as the lovely
flowers/balloons and artwork emanating at Paisley Park and at various familiar buildings
around the world and some of those, all glowing in his honour, just goes to prove how truly
loved and respected this unique musician was. Since this dreadful day, I can’t get enough of
watching more of him in numerous clips/footage and rare interviews that have been
circulating on the internet. They are equally tearful and joyful to view as they all highlight
facets of him that only increases my love and admiration giving us a far larger picture of what
he was like on a more personal level. The celebrity stories are precious too. I love the
‘Prankster’ in him and his sense of humour is hilarious.
U – Log – Eye 2 Prince – by Julie Mc Namara

2. He was ‘magical’ in every sense. Yet he made everything he did look effortless. His
extraordinary ability to play as many as 27 instruments astounded me. He excelled with them
all as well as with his extensive range of tones his vocal chords would allow. He could touch
you in ways you never thought possible. I’ve attended shows where I’ve gone through every
emotion I’ve ever experienced - sometimes in the space of seconds. Exhilarated one minute
with his superb guitar playing and an emotional wreck the next, when listening to his dulcet
pipes belting out a sentimental ballad. He could flip in seconds from playing a moving ‘blues’
number to any category of music and sometimes, this would happen whilst playing the same
song!! He could also take the lyrics or change the arrangement of a well known song and
deliver it as though it had just been born. Sheer perfection whenever that occurred and I
usually loved the differences! He was truly gifted. His animatic expressions and comments
just added fun to every performance, not to mention he could dance his ass off. What with his
striking beautiful face - he had the perfect ingredients for a dynamic recipe! As well as being
able to ‘fuse’ any genre of music from every pigeon hole, this Legend had to be witnessed. If
you didn’t enter the building a ‘fan’ before you saw him, you definitely exited a changed
person - even the reluctant ones were converted! You could see ‘up close and personal’ just
how multi-talented he was. It was a life changing experience for so many.
From the moment he stepped on the stage, he was intoxicating. He had me smitten and
hooked the very first time I saw him play and I never looked back. I was awestruck from Day 1
and my perception never changed. I ‘melted’ every time I saw him. Incredibly cute on every
occasion and his unique dress sense was ‘head turning’! (What I’d give for some of his
jackets!)

3. I was lucky enough to see him perform several times in concert and even attended one of his
famous Oscar Parties in LA in 2009. I was rendered “speechless” that memorable night, when
during the evening, he came and stood beside me for several minutes, whilst mingling
amongst the guests. I have ‘kicked’ myself ever since for being so ‘overwhelmed’ by the fact
he was right in front of me and not breathing a word to him (I could barely breathe at all - my
heart was pounding so hard)! He later played for 2 hours to 800 of us. I was on Cloud 9. It
will always be one of the highlights of my life!
His colourful private life has always been intriguing - there was always a ‘beauty’ never too far
away! Whatever you perceived Prince to be, you can’t deny that he was a ‘Creative Genius’
and his capabilities were endless. He was outstanding to say the least. I applaud him for doing
what he ‘loved’ throughout his life. He excelled on so many levels. His amazing ability to
change his image and impress us with an extensive range of what he could produce musically
was exceptional!
The impact he has had on the music world has been an incredible asset. He was an
astonishing force of nature who graced our lives and demonstrated exactly what could be
achieved if you worked hard at your ‘craft’. Nobody else I have ever seen has EVER had the
same effect that Prince had on me. I feel blessed for being ‘alive’ at the same time he was! I
envy those who knew him personally and professionally. I’m sure he taught them many
superb ‘tips’ on their journey. I remember him saying at a London show once “Schools in and
I’m the Teacher”. What an honour to attend a Prince class!

4. I’m sure all of the younger proteges he educated/helped in his lifetime will appreciate the
valuable time he gave them. What a privilege to have been ‘under this wing’.
I love the way he always managed to successfully remain mysterious and private from the
outside world. Not easy when you’re an ‘Icon’ and loved and admired internationally.
Prince was a Class Act and in my book, superior to any other Entertainer I’ve ever
encountered. It will be difficult not to feel cheated and deprived now knowing he is no longer
going to ‘lift our spirits’ in the future with any surprise concerts.
It breaks my heart to think that he will never ‘generate’ the magnitude of excitement on
Twitter again that he always ‘teased’ us with whenever he planned an imminent show in a City
near you! My heart used to skip a beat at the sheer thrill that you could see him as fast as the
‘next day’ if the fancy took him to play! Part of me would panic just at the idea that I may not
get to see him if I wasn’t quick enough to grab tickets or be able to escape from work to go! It
was a unique strategy, but one I’m sure he got a ‘kick’ out of and so did his fans. I don’t know
any other ‘Artist’ who also enjoyed inviting and entertaining his ‘admirers’ to his home to
‘party’. The ‘Paisley Park After Dark’ nights must have been incredible! Sadly, my Bucket List
will never be fulfilled the way I planned. One of my dreams was to attend a party there. I am
distraught at the fact this will never happen as well as the unimaginable thought that I will
never see him ‘play’ again!

5. I am struggling with the concept of him no longer being here. However, I am also aware that
he did mention a few times in interviews that he looked forward to “going home”. I get ‘chills’
when I listen to Way Back Home/Clouds and Affirmations I,II and III - all are intensely spiritual.
It is as though he was trying to tell us something! Let’s face it, he came across at times as being
‘Superhuman’, so it doesn’t surprise me that a wonderful ‘Rainbow’ appeared on the day he
died above his home. I had also been sent a photo elsewhere the following day, of a glorious
‘purple’ sky that seemed to indicate that he had safely made it to his destination. We all know
that his ‘special’ number was ‘7’. Strangely noticeable then, that he passed on 21/4 (=7). The
year is ’16’ (=7). He was 57 and pronounced dead at 10.07am. I may be over analysing or
perhaps it’s just a coincidence? Nevertheless, these facts gave me ‘goosebumps’.
I can’t imagine what the music world will now be like without him? The man was made of
‘steel’ when it came to what he believed in. I had total admiration at the sheer inner strength
he possessed when confronting the Record Companies and his Contract issues, in order to
encourage them to change their outworn laws. I loved the fact he changed his name to the
‘Love Symbol’ we got to know and cherish, as pure means to releasing his music much faster
than they would permit. He paved the way for so many forthcoming artists in terms of
‘changing the rules’ and their ‘rights’, resulting in a fairer financial outcome.

6. It warms my heart to hear about all the secret donations he made to various charities, who
under his strict rule, were not permitted to declare his generosity. It speaks volumes to me
that even the local Sheriff in Minnesota, was clearly ‘choked up’ when delivering the sad news
that he had died. It seemed imperative (and rightly so) to the community in Princes
hometown, that they keep his privacy and dignity under wraps. To hear him say that “Prince
was a good neighbour, a very Private man who never caused us any problems and will be
sorely missed around here” was very touching.
Prince was an impressive ‘Dude’. He overflowed with sensational talent. He stole a piece of
my heart and I will always reserve a place for him there.
He ‘conquered with no fear’ and will go down in history as one of the ‘All time Greats’. So
let’s not “let the Elevator break us down”! “Oh no, let’s go” and continue to ‘party’ in his
honour, dance until dawn and continue to play his amazing music and watch him in anything
visual he was involved in. Let’s remember him for what he brought to the Musical/Movie
table. He has left us with an abundance of material that we can always treasure!
THANK YOU PRINCE and God Bless U for all the unforgettable funky music/moments and
unbelievable memories.
RIP - You were a Purple Gem who will forever be truly ‘Adored’.
Julie McNamara

7. Tears go here
Julie’s poems follow

8. Been glued to the news since yesterday
cos they suddenly announced you had passed away!
I sat here and gasped in disbelief
“you can’t be dead” I screamed at the tv.
So many have died this year so far
never thought your name would join this list of ‘stars’
I’m numb to the core, it can’t be you?
in a ‘state of shock’ - what do I do?
My phone starts to ring as my friends start to call
I’m trembling now and I’m losing control
I struggle to talk, there are too many tears
they’re all telling me that my speech isn’t clear.
I hang up the phone, I’m now a complete mess
I can’t seem to focus, but I answer my texts

9. “it’s true” I type, I don’t know what to say
this has got to be one of my worst days.
It’s all too much, it’s all too tragic
this world has lost the one who was magic
I can’t comprehend what is going on?
this can’t happen to you - you’re the Purple one!
The grief and the tributes are now pouring in
the ‘reporter’ is saying “it’s definitely him”!
my heart breaks to hear this, was there no one to help?
I can’t bear to think you were there by yourself.
So as we digest this dreadful news
we now have to learn to live without you
that won’t be easy, my god you’ll be missed
‘Dearly Beloved’ - Rest In Peace Prince!

10. Peter Cook’s personal tribute – Click on the symbol