Carver County has been in the news quite a bit over the past few days since the passing of Prince, who was found dead at Paisley Park in Chanhassen Thursday morning. Paisley Park Studios was built in 1988 and looks like nothing more than a big white building that somewhat resembles a prison or large manufacturing site. Since living so close to Paisley Park for the past year, I have quickly learned quite a bit about Prince. Interestingly, Prince often times hosted pop-up concerts at Paisley Park that went unannounced until just moments before the start. The dome on top of Paisley Park would turn purple and the first people to arrive at the studios would be let into the concert.
(Photo of Paisley Park courtesy of The Star Tribune)
Chaska is the only city in Carver County with a police force, so the Carver County Sheriff's Office has been in charge of the investigation. A press conference was held at the Carver County Government Center, my place of work, on Friday; news stations from the nation and across the metro filled the parking lot.
I am taken aback by how many coworkers and fellow Minnesotans are mourning the death of a local hero who took the world by storm in the early 80s, using his unique musical gifts to tell stories of love, politics and life. The city has paid tribute to Prince since his death. The I-35W and Lowry Avenue bridges, Target Field and Target headquarters have been lit purple...
(Photo of the I-35W bridge courtesy of The Star Tribune)
...First Avenue, a downtown music venue where Prince played regularly early in his career and occasionally made surprise appearances throughout his career, has hosted block parties every night since Thursday...
(Photo courtesy of MPRNews)
I must admit that I am quickly becoming more of a Prince fan than I ever was and find myself constantly humming Purple Rain...Purple Rain...Purple Rain...(are there really any other words to that song???).
Rest in peace and purple, Prince.