2016 has been a hard year in the entertainment industry. We have lost many legendary talents this year and in the last decade. One of a kind entertainers that will never be replaced. But this one really hurts.

Prince Rogers Nelson was one of a kind. His rock/funk/pop infused music was simply magical. In looking at the current state of music, there is very little quality musicianship to choose from. And with that, it is getting more and more difficult to find music that really packs a punch much like Prince’s did.

My first experience with Prince was in the 90’s. Well after his highest sold record Purple Rain hit the shelves. I was watching MTV (yes, when they actually played music) and heard “Cream” Not only was the music catchy but the video was pretty easy on the eyes as well. I remember the vibrant colors, deep in the pocket drum track, and playful guitar along with his sultry voice as one of the most memorable tracks of all time. It had everything that a song should to move and groove a dancefloor. Not too over the top but very full and tasteful.

But more than just this song, I remember the image ingrained in my head of his anything but watered down style. His signature yellow guitar didn’t just hang between his knees as he strummed along. It was a part of his body and moved with him. Prince had such amazing soul when he rocked out a solo and embellished his vocal parts. His appearance in general was anything but ordinary. He was in a league of his own. A quirky, sexual, creative genius with a hair style that rivaled Little Richard.

It was after my shock and awe Cream experience that I went to a wedding with my family as a child and I remember at 10 years old what the DJ played to get people dancing. It was the time of Def Leppard, Billy Idol, and Stevie B. And even though all 3 of them got people dancing, it wasn’t until Let’s go Crazy came on that the floor erupted. It was the first time I experienced anything like it and one of the things that shed some light on what I wanted to do when I grew up. I enjoyed the reaction so much that I couldn’t help but dance along.

And who could ever forget the BEST Batman movie ever made with Jack Nicholson and Michael Keaton? And who better than Prince to provide the sound track. The erie and very torqued soundtrack was right up Prince’s alley and much different than his funk and pop music offerings. This proved once again just how diverse of a musician and producer he really was.

All in all, Prince was a gift to music. We will be honoring his music in the next few events that we do and I am sure that just like the wedding I went to at 10 years old, the floor will once again be moving to the groove of the purple one more time.