Music Legend Prince Has Died At The Age Of 57

April 21, 2016 by Masterclass Lady 4 Comments


 Prince, R.I.P.

I am – like all of you – shocked by the death of iconic music legend, Prince.  By all reports, he seemed vital and active, working on musical projects and staging shows. 

However, behind the scenes, it has also been reported that he had been struggling with some flu-like symptoms.  However, that is all anyone in the mainstream media feel comfortable confirming. We have to wait for a compete autopsy and, even then, Dr. Sanjay Gupta just mentioned on CNN that, oftentimes, the true cause of death is not determined. 

This was an artist who transcended genres and styles and, more important, embraced spirituality within his musical life, incorporating his faith in God as being instrumental to his success. He was guided by this mantra and attributes his artistry as a reflection of his deep faith. 

“Prince’s faith fulfills a yearning that his songs expressed long before he became devout: a need for some kind of ruling theory to explain the sorrow and violence that intertwines with life’s joy. Songs as early as 1981’s “Controversy” focus on a quest for God, and his catalog overflows with complex number and color systems, prophetic statements and disquiet about the fallen state ” Source: LA TIMES

His album, Purple Rain, catapulted him to international success. He once said to Larry King that he knew this song would be a success because it was different than anything ever heard before within the music industry. 

My favorite Purple Rain moment will bring a smile to your face. I am a Golden Girls fan and one of the characters,  the 80- something Sophia Petrillo played brilliantly by Estelle Getty, was rocking out while listening to Purple Rain on the lanai. It was hilarious and spoke to the amazing reach Prince had with his fans. Transcending fan base as well as genres. 

I could go on and on. This is another heartbreaking loss for the music world but, man, that must be one jam session in Heaven.  

To all the family members, friends and fans of this beloved artist, I send deepest condolences and prayers during this very difficult time.

R.I.P. Prince. You will never be forgotten. 

Prince Perfoming Purple Rain


Sophia Sings Purple Rain On The Golden Girls

Prince
, ,

About Masterclass Lady

Rosanne (Giallonardo) Simunovic began her musical career in Timmins, Ontario. She studied piano with Anne Pizzale and later, at an advanced level, with Soeur Anita Vaugeois (Sister Cecile of Les Soeurs De L’Assomption in Timmins). Her vocal and accompaniment skills were nurtured by her aunt, the late Dorothea Mascioli. When Rosanne graduated from O’Gorman High School, she moved on to the University of Toronto where she continued her piano and vocal studies while attaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was hired as a piano accompanist for several musical companies, most notably, the National Ballet Of Canada. She presently holds an A.R.C.T. Teacher’s Diploma in Voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Rosanne has studied choral conducting with numerous well known Canadian Conductors, including Wayne Riddell of Montreal, Quebec and the internationally renowned Dr. Elmer Iseler. She has been a founding member of numerous community-based arts organizations: the Timmins Arts Council, later known as Arts & Culture Timmins, the Timmins Symphony Orchestra, and, the Timmins Youth Singers…as well as the TYS Alumnus choir, the Timmins Concert Singers. In 1987, she was also selected to be the conductor of the Timmins Board Of Education Choir, comprised of talented students from Grades 5 to 8. In 1988, she was elected to the Board Of Directors of the Ontario Choral Federation (now known as Choirs Ontario), where she served as Chair of the Festivals Committee for six consecutive seasons. In 1996, in honour of the Ontario Choral Federation’s 25th Anniversary, Rosanne was selected as one of 25 recipients of the OCF’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to the choral art. The ceremony was presided by Lieutenant Governor, Hal Jackman. In November 1997, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Rotary Club Of Timmins to receive the prestigious Paul Harris Award for her years of dedication to the artistic development of young musical talent in Timmins. In August of 2002, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Board Of Directors of Choirs Ontario to serve as Conductor of both the Provincial Junior and Teen Choir Camps, now renamed in honour of the Camp Benefactors, Don and Lillian Wright. In November 2002, Rosanne was the one of the recipients of the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, honouring her work in the development of the arts in Timmins. Under Rosanne Simunovic’s direction, the Timmins Youth Singers and the Timmins Concert Singers have been featured in numerous choral festivals and performing opportunities outside of Timmins. In 1985, they were selected to partici
View all posts by Masterclass Lady →

4 Responses to “Music Legend Prince Has Died At The Age Of 57”

  1. jrzgrl1 April 21, 2016 at 5:33 pm

    I am stunned & saddened. Prince’s death is an enormous loss to the music and artistic world. I had the pleasure of seeing him in concert here in Charleston. I’m not sure exactly what year it was. but it had to havebeen less than seven years ago because I know he was at least 50 when I saw him. The concert was sheer genius. He had so much energy and so much connection with the audience. It’s hard for me to find the right words or in fact any words to describe how sad this is. Rest in peace Prince. I hope you & Bowie are jamming right now.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. rereader April 21, 2016 at 6:18 pm

    ” man, that must be one jam session in Heaven. ”

    My thought was that Someone must be organizing one amazing concert in the afterlife…

    Liked by 2 people

  3. Vonnie April 21, 2016 at 9:58 pm

    I had the privilege to see Prince for his Purple Rain Tour in the 80’s…it was amazing! He headlined the show, two and a half hours of just Prince! He drove out on stage in a little red corvette! The stadium was electric, everyone stayed on their feet the entire concert. He had more outfit changes than I could even count! A memory that I will forever have! 😢

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Masterclass Lady April 21, 2016 at 10:01 pm

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts. What a heartbreaking loss for all of us but I am taking solace in the wonderful coverage on CNN. Great interviews. Such memories. He was a wonderful person AND musical genius.

    Liked by 1 person

%d bloggers like this: