I hope this kind of posting isn't too late. I had to wait the 5 days after creating an account to do this.

I've been a Prince fan for 32 years. My father got me Purple Rain and 1999 on cassette from the Columbia House Music Club. The tapes arrived, and my mother had dad listen to one of them to make sure it was appropriate for me to listen to at 11 years old. Luckily, he decided that Purple Rain was the tape to check out, and said the only bad word on there was "funky". I always thought he was light on the lyrics because "funky" came from Darling Nikki, which also used the word "masturbating". Had he listened to 1999 first, though, I probably wouldn't have been able to call myself a Prince fan today.

Since then, I've been an avid listener to Prince's music. I grabbed any and all albums and singles I could get my hands on with what little money I had as a kid and teenager. As a teenager, I didn't have any friends. I was one who'd always keep to himself, and wasn't much of a talker. I did, however, have his music. When I was feeling lonely, bored, happy, sad, or just wanted to listen to music, his was always there. Prince sang songs about every emotion, feeling, or life experience I'd had, and wanted to have. His words expressed thoughts and feelings I always had, at some point in my life or another. He was- and I know this might sound weird- a friend to me when I didn't have any. In a sense he listened to me, and always knew what to say to let me know he knew how I felt and showed that in his lyrics.

In my adult life, I matured, and started to branch out and make friends, though I was still very introverted that I was extremely picky on whom I would call "friend". I had girlfriends. I began to come out of my shell and live life. Still, his music was there. He still produced songs that spoke to all those feelings and thoughts I'd always had. Prince was stilll a good friend to me.

Last Thursday, I was in a training meeting for work about IT Security. During the meeting, my phone began blowing up with Facebook messages, texts, Skype calls, phone calls. I finally looked at my phone and checked the messages my wife sent me. The first thing she texted was asking "do you need a hug?". I asked why, and she responded asking if I'd heard about Prince. The first thing I thought was that he finally announced his retirement and he was going to take it easy from here forward. I responded to her that I hadn't heard anything since I was in meetings all morning. When she responded back that he passed away that morning, I was floored. I looked at all the other texts and Facebook comments from friends who were trying to get hold of me. I checked Yahoo, and there it was. It was true. Prince had died, and my friend of 32 years was gone. From there, I couldn't concentrate on what was being talked about in the meeting.

When it was over, I walked out to my car and started it up, and the first thing I heard on the radio was "Purple Rain". I began to cry, because I couldn't believe it. He was actually gone. I called my wife while I was on my way back to work. She was upset as well, not so much that Prince had passed, but because she knew how it would affect me. Once back to work, my afternoon was spent poring over news articles, Facebook posts, and here on the Org.

These last 6 days have been difficult, but as each day passes, they get better. I'm at the point where I'm celebrating the man who brought us 38 years of great music, and yes, that includes HitnRun Phase II.

However, I'm still feeling like I lost a friend on April 21, 2016. There's still that emptiness in the pit of my stomach that causes tears to well up at times when certain songs play on the radio. A while back I was an Org member Purpleaxxe1972, and I'd declared then that I wasn't a fan anymore because of some abuse someone gave to someone else commenting online during what I believe was one of the livestreams they were having at the time. But, like friends do, they have disagreements, sometimes heated, but they're still friends.

I know alot- if not most- of this post probably comes across weird, or maybe even creepy, but it's the truth. I so desperately wanted to share this with you all. Sunny days are coming, and we'll all be "Playing In The Sunshine" soon enough.

-James

Not weird or creepy at all James. I've been a fan since '78, so it seems like I lost family - my brilliant, eccentric older brother or somesuch. It's hard, but because of my spiritual beliefs, I don't consider Prince dead, he just moved back home.

perfume said:

Not weird or creepy at all James. I've been a fan since '78, so it seems like I lost family - my brilliant, eccentric older brother or somesuch. It's hard, but because of my spiritual beliefs, I don't consider Prince dead, he just moved back home.

I've been trying to feel that as well. I've said he's in Heaven now doing command performances.

I was lucky enough to see him live more times than I can count and will always treasure the memories. I've been a fan for 35 years and there are no words to describe what I'm feeling right now and how he affected my life. I'm thankful for the Org as it's great to have such a wonderful support system during this difficult time. Love you 4ever Prince.