RIP: PRINCE

He is not really someone in the era of classic Hollywood that I usually spotlight, but his music was a big part of my childhood growing up in the 1980s and 1990s. I never really collected Prince's music but he was a pop icon. Prince, who pioneered "the Minneapolis sound" and took on the music industry in his fight for creative freedom, died Thursday at age 57.

"It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson, has died at his Paisley Park residence this morning at the age of 57," said his publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure.

Earlier Thursday, police said they were investigating a death at the Paisley Park studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota.

A massive outpouring of grief followed on social media. Some are saying the icon's death "is what it sounds like when doves cry," a reference to his monster hit from 1984.

The singer's fame never waned through the decades, but he was considered synonymous with the 1980s. His fame reached a fever pitch with the 1984 film "Purple Rain," about an aspiring musician, his troubled home life and a budding romance.

Just this month, Prince made news, but it wasn't for his music. He said he wasn't feeling well, according toThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and canceled a concert date in that city. Some days later, he took the stage in Atlanta to perform. After that concert on April 14, the singer's plane made an emergency landing, Noel-Schure told CNN. At the time she said, "He is fine and at home."
Prince won seven Grammy Awards and earned 30 nominations. Five of his singles topped the charts and 14 other songs hit the Top 10. He won an Oscar for best original song score for "Purple Rain."

The singer's predilection for lavishly kinky story-songs earned him the nickname, His Royal Badness. He was also known as the "Purple One" because of his colorful fashions.

His sound was as unique and transfixing as he was. He created what became known as Minneapolis sound, which was a funky blend of pop, synth and new wave.

Prince left his imprint on so many aspects of popular culture from movies to sports to politics. As the Minnesota Vikings prepped to take on the New Orleans Saints in the 2010 NFC championship game, Prince wrote a fight song, "Purple and Gold," to inspire his home team. The Vikings lost. He was the halftime performer at the Super Bowl in 2007.

Last year, while addressing the unrest in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray in police custody, Prince released the song "Baltimore." He performed at a benefit concert in the city and gave a portion of the proceeds to youth groups there...