I'm glad this was done. Though I don't know who was close or not, Prince was admired by lots of people and clearly many wanted to honor him. The family had the right to do whatever they wanted, particularly if they followed his wishes however, the rushed cremation and ceremony seemed to exclude so many people that I could see wanting to grieve and reflect. While I don't know why it was a "secret" memorial, it is nice to see that The Revotion members and other older collaborators were allowed to attend. The lack of a memorial/ceremony is off putting and feel uncomfortable and some people need the closure. If my memory serves me correctly even Alfred and Omarr had not been at the one at PP and were later allowed in to privately grieve on there own a few days after Prince's passing.

Last night we celebrated Prince's extraordinary life. I just want to say, "good night, sweet Prince, may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest." Thank you for inviting me into your world and inspiring me to be the best that I could be. With love and admiration,
Dr. Fink

removed

[Edited 5/12/16 12:31pm]

http://www.eonline.com/ne...-beautiful

Prince's ex-wives Manuela Testolini and Mayte Garcia gave close friends an opportunity to honor the legendary singer at a private memorial held Wednesday.

Celebrity guests, who began arriving around 6:30 pm PT, included Spike Lee, Eric Benet, Gwen Stefani, The Revolution, Tavis Smiley, Herbie Hancock, Dita Von Teese and other musicians, artists and band members, E! News has learned. The men wore black suits with a single white rose pinned to their jackets while many other guests dressed in black and purple, a source tells E! News. About 80-90 people eventually arrived at The Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater, where Lee and Prince's ex-wives gave heartfelt speeches.

"Seeing his two ex-wives on stage was a really moving moment," the source tells E! News.

Monae and Esperanza Spalding performed throughout the evening, as well as members of The Revolution. Each musician performed Prince's songs to pay tribute to him. The source also tells us that several "moving and telling" video presentations played during the ceremony, including when Prince won an Oscar for "Purple Rain."

"It was all about the life and times of Prince," a source added.

...

Cat Glover, a choreographer and singer who worked with Prince, opened up to E! News exclusively about the "emotional" event. "Tonight is so beautiful to see all these great celebrities and speakers and professors and musicians come together. And they're so humble," she shared. "And what they did tonight was amazing. As a matter of fact that's why I'm out here cause I was crying. It's just too emotional. Everything was so beautiful."

Glover also said people inside the event experienced a whirlwind of emotions. "Happy, heavenly, beautiful, somber. It is a celebration," she explained. "Although people may cry, we cry and we laugh but, yeah. It's a celebration."

The serviced ended around 10:30 pm PT, when guests were spotted saying their goodbyes and hugging. Each guest left the service with a program full of Prince and his closest friends.

"He would laugh, knowing his personality. He would laugh because he had a great personality," Glover said when asked how Prince would feel about the memorial service. "He would just giggle. He'd love it."

setfire2the3rdbar said:

Elitest horrible people, I am really starting to dislike famous people...they are just out of control, without you and me they would what, sing for themselves, dance for theselves, write for themselves and act for themselves.

That is all

WTF
So U feel that way about Prince too?

should have been telivised so we all could say goodbye. like they did michael. fans loved him to and would like to have seen this for a little grief relief.

jimmy3121 said:

Hope they invited Mr. Hayes....he spent more time with the man than many that attended.

He spoke.

MissMarySharon said:

Ahmir is a beautiful name.

I think all this shows the regard Prince's ladies had for him - sometimes relationships don't work out but love and respect can live on in many forms.

According to Google, Ahmir means "Prince or Charming" in Arabic.

mscru28 said:

IMO. Maybe this was good for his celebrity friends (it provides them with a place to grieve together). This memorial was for Prince's celebrity friends (old and new) the Beverly Hills way. It was so private that TMZ knew about and annouced it (really).

Tyke's memorial was for Prince Roger Nelson (the brother/family member/person who grew up and lived in Minneapolis). It was handled the way Mr. Nelson would have preferred (IMO). As you all know, when someone in the family passes away, people start coming around (out the swamps and forest) and the decedent wouldn't have given them time of day in the present. They are so mournful and sad, and forgetful about the fake ass snake in the grass they really are. But as family members, we shake their hands, give hugs, feed them and can't wait for their ass to leave.

Nelson Family stay strong because the fireworks are beginning, the snakes are surfacing, and don't trust anyone but yourself. Stick together.

More of his real friends attended this one.

keenly said:

mscru28 said:

IMO. Maybe this was good for his celebrity friends (it provides them with a place to grieve together). This memorial was for Prince's celebrity friends (old and new) the Beverly Hills way. It was so private that TMZ knew about and annouced it (really).

Tyke's memorial was for Prince Roger Nelson (the brother/family member/person who grew up and lived in Minneapolis). It was handled the way Mr. Nelson would have preferred (IMO). As you all know, when someone in the family passes away, people start coming around (out the swamps and forest) and the decedent wouldn't have given them time of day in the present. They are so mournful and sad, and forgetful about the fake ass snake in the grass they really are. But as family members, we shake their hands, give hugs, feed them and can't wait for their ass to leave.

Nelson Family stay strong because the fireworks are beginning, the snakes are surfacing, and don't trust anyone but yourself. Stick together.

More of his real friends attended this one.

That's not my impression. Mostly celebrities. With a few exceptions like Morris Hayes. Did Kirk Johnson attend?

OldFriends4Sale said:

setfire2the3rdbar said:

Elitest horrible people, I am really starting to dislike famous people...they are just out of control, without you and me they would what, sing for themselves, dance for theselves, write for themselves and act for themselves.

That is all

WTF
So U feel that way about Prince too?

No

[Edited 5/12/16 12:33pm]

removed

[Edited 5/12/16 13:40pm]

setfire2the3rdbar said:

Elitest horrible people, I am really starting to dislike famous people...they are just out of control, without you and me they would what, sing for themselves, dance for theselves, write for themselves and act for themselves.

That is all

please tell me you are joking and not the jealous type of person you are apperaing to be...You know what i hate; fans with a sense of entitlement like you

beatz01 said:

Looking at the program this seems to have been the kind of classy, respectful memorial service Prince deserved (contrary to the rushed cremation and service by Tyka&"family" within 36 hours after his death..smh).

Also i guess very neccessary for some of his longtime associates (like Andre Cymone) that couldn't make it/weren't invited to the first memorial to be able to grief, mourn and honor.

Seems like a lot of thought and care was put into this. Very nice and respectable.

This sounds like a really big deal, and incredible. This was a world he interacted with, that we as fans don't know much about (since most of us are unconnected). I feel that Prince's circles of professional colleagues and VIP's were not publicly visible just as his amount of recordings and videos weren't.

This must have been quite emotional and intense. I mean, this included serious ex girlfriends and the two ex wives too. I got sad again reading that Mavis Staples words were so emotional. And Dr. Fink's words.

Again, Prince's world that he chose to publish as part of his act is one thing, and then his world of true relationships and colleagues is another.

How cool is it that the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science was involved in this memorial!? He was a secretive giant in the industry.

The man was so loved. There have been so many different types of gatherings and tributes from other respected filmmakers, musicians, politicians, friends, bandmates; some formal, some private. Just an outpouring. What a monumental person he was! To have been some unknown kid in the suburbs to these glorious heights. Truly great.

setfire2the3rdbar said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

WTF
So U feel that way about Prince too?

Actuallly no I don't, he was of a dying breed who actually appreciated the people who bought his music, throwing an EXCLUSIVE memorial just for elistests in my opinion is in poor tatse....way to exclude all the world, his family and put yourself (ex wives) in the SPOT light. It just rubbed me the WRONG way. Prince grieved his losses in private, I liked that about him, he threw parties at his home for what like 10 bucks...he was a class act.

[Edited 5/12/16 12:12pm]

Prince has private release parties for the elite too and had shows where he charged amounts no average person could afford.

These people who are at this show were not Elitist

You ideal rubs me the wrong way.

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[Edited 5/12/16 15:26pm]

setfire2the3rdbar said:

Elitest horrible people, I am really starting to dislike famous people...they are just out of control, without you and me they would what, sing for themselves, dance for theselves, write for themselves and act for themselves.

That is all

Wow. I guess you wanted it public so you and a few others can do the 'awhoowa' yell during the moments of silence.

CMSantos71 said:

avajane said:

Apparently Mayte, in her speech, stated that her and Prince's son was named Ahmir. https://mobile.twitter.co...7293136896 If this is the case, where did the name Boy Gregory come from?

Nice to have a name so he can stop being referred to as Boy Gregory. Ahmir Nelson.

Yes, I agree. Ahmir is an awesome name.

RollingStone gives a detailed account of the very touching service here:

http://www.rollingstone.c...l-20160512

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

RollingStone gives a detailed account of the very touching service here:

http://www.rollingstone.c...l-20160512

Now, this is the kind of memorial we all wanted Prince to have and what he deserved. And it was private.

Iamtheorg said:

Wow. I guess you wanted it public so you and a few others can do the 'awhoowa' yell during the moments of silence.

I have no idea what that means, not being sarcastic I really don't.

The backlash is my own fault for being blunt, I have always just personally disliked awards shows, celebrity funerals, etc etc, that by no means makes me right or wrong, this is a forum after all.....and it was just my opinion, just like every one else has one.

Prince died, it is sad...people should and can greive their own way.

I guess I just give up, sometimes people and places just don't mesh....I am not so sensitive that I cannot debate or handle criticism, I'd rather just spend the small amounts of time we have on earth not arguing. I am a grown woman after all

Love and peace everyone

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

RollingStone gives a detailed account of the very touching service here:

http://www.rollingstone.c...l-20160512

Thanks. That's a little more closure for me. Just reading that alone.

joelmarable said:

should have been telivised so we all could say goodbye. like they did michael. fans loved him to and would like to have seen this for a little grief relief.

Nope! Prince's people, and friends and family have done it sooo right by him.

Miss you Prince.

Everybody from Mavis Staples, Prince's half brother and Revolution members to Andre Cymone and his ex wives were there...Sounds official to me...

[Edited 5/12/16 13:42pm]

OldFriends4Sale said:

setfire2the3rdbar said:

Elitest horrible people, I am really starting to dislike famous people...they are just out of control, without you and me they would what, sing for themselves, dance for theselves, write for themselves and act for themselves.

That is all

WTF
So U feel that way about Prince too?

She/he's just mad because she wasn't invited to the memorial.

murph said:

Everybody from Mavis Staples, Prince's step brother and Revolution members to Andre Cymone and his ex wives were there...Sounds official to me...

[Edited 5/12/16 13:33pm]

So I guess no "public" memorial then, like the Nelson family was saying...

AnnaSantana said:

murph said:

Everybody from Mavis Staples, Prince's step brother and Revolution members to Andre Cymone and his ex wives were there...Sounds official to me...

[Edited 5/12/16 13:33pm]

So I guess no "public" memorial then, like the Nelson family was saying...

Nah...THEY r def. planning something public....This was for Prince's close friends, bandmates, peers, ect...

I don't know, maybe I'm just very emotional raw right now, but this warms my heart. I'm getting mushy these days.