I remember that last April I felt a lot of grief about Prince. I was looking for ways to connect with others who could get my grief it due to their own appreciation of Prince. At the time, I was still engaging in the habit that I had developed after his death: Playing about one Prince CD a day for the entire year. This past Fall, I started feeling less preoccupied with Prince's death though I will always love his music. I started playing only 1 or 2 Prince CDs a week intermixed with all sorts of other music. As this April approached, I didn't notice any upsurge in my consciousness about Prince other than being aware of the upcoming anniversary of his death. However, this past week I have felt more drawn to Prince music again and have played it every day. Today I even had the urge to play disc 3 of the PR Deluxe set, which I never have done since hearing it one time and then culling a few songs off of it for a Prince play-list. This go around I was really getting into it. Hearing Let's Go Crazy single edit followed by Let's Go Crazy dance mix seemed fresh rather than redundant. All is good with Prince music. Reminiscent of last year, I feel a bit isolated in my reactions and grief. So, I was curious to see what others had to say about their own reactions to the upcoming 2nd anniversary of Prince's death.

..and still no releases (or even news about) to coincide.....

The grief is still there. I've just learned to hide it better.

I've been drawing a LOT of Prince inspired pieces since then. Showing my appreciation for his journey and the culture of purple music he inspired.
.
I get really frustrated when I hear people still talking about Prince being murdered or that he is still alive(faked his death). Makes me really

.

Having more music soothes the pain, but having more music also reminds me of the pain.
Being able to add 17 Days extended, Wednesday etc to my playlists is wonderfully painful.

OldFriends4Sale said:

gandorb said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

I've been drawing a LOT of Prince inspired pieces since then. Showing my appreciation for his journey and the culture of purple music he inspired.
.
I get really frustrated when I hear people still talking about Prince being murdered or that he is still alive(faked his death). Makes me really

.

Having more music soothes the pain, but having more music also reminds me of the pain.
Being able to add 17 Days extended, Wednesday etc to my playlists is wonderfully painful.

Hope you share some of your drawings here some day.

Thanks, I will. I have posted some in the Artist forum.

Stop ritualizing his death and celebrate his life, legacy, and music - that's my reaction.

TrivialPursuit said:

Stop ritualizing his death and celebrate his life, legacy, and music - that's my reaction.

Yes, we all deal with death differently. Interesting reaction given that in my post I never suggested that my reaction was planned or ritualized. Instead, my feelings and actions somewhat surprised me when they arose quite organically and unexpectedly. That said, I do feel a need to express my belief that people are way out of bounds when they judge someone else's feelings of grief or any other feelings for that matter. Feelings come and go and we all have them. As far as rituals, I have not been real involved with them but I do think they often help people. They are inherent part of our species.

missingprn said:

Nice posts gandorb. I feel like it’s been more than two years. I listen to his music a lot. Sometimes I celebrate it and think what a great life he had and it makes me smile. Other times I’m deeply sad that he’s gone and we’re not going to see him or hear any more of his genius. (I think I’ll be with Prince by the time anything gets released from the vault )

Thanks. I think you well illustrate how reactions can include all emotions, including our MUTUAL fear that we will never see the vault releases in this lifetime.

TrivialPursuit said:

Stop ritualizing his death and celebrate his life, legacy, and music - that's my reaction.

^THIS!...i dont understand the desire for people to celeberate the date of someone's death...

gandorb said:

TrivialPursuit said:

Stop ritualizing his death and celebrate his life, legacy, and music - that's my reaction.

Yes, we all deal with death differently...

And don't get me wrong. I grieve his absence, greatly. But it's about perspective and balance. When 'fans' get overdramatic with "crying still, can't talk, no words", I'm like "really, you just typed six words. Anything else you can't say?" lol No one loved Prince more than fans on the Org probably, although there are hardcore fans not on the Org. I get it.

I guess I'd rather not remember when he passed as much as I want to remember him through his music every day. It's like getting your lover flowers on Valentine's day. Try getting them something on May 7th, or August 11th, or November 22nd. Love is a verb that can be exercised at any time. That's all.

RJOrion said:

TrivialPursuit said:

Stop ritualizing his death and celebrate his life, legacy, and music - that's my reaction.

^THIS!...i dont understand the desire for people to celeberate the date of someone's death...

Celebrate is your interpretation of anniversary reactions. Anniversary reactions are normal and universal, even if you don't happen to be have one about Prince. They come up for people whether they like it or not. It's not like people decide that they are or aren't going to have one. It just happens. I get the opinion of people who don't want to talk about anniverary reactions but I don't get the judgement towards people who are having them.

I think of Prince on June 7th.

milesb said:

I think of Prince on June 7th.

There's no one single day without thinking about Prince. I listen to him everyday: his huge catalogue allows us to enjoy different stuff.

I'll always cherish him till my last day on earth...

My first video was "When Doves Cry" in the summer of 1984.

My first concert was on Monday August 25 th 1986 and was the beginning of lots of gigs.

My last concert was on Sunday June 1st 2014 (both at the same venue).

He was on top of his career, I would say between 82-86...

Beginning of May, I'lm flying to Minneapolis for the third time....To sum up: he's my life, my drug.

I listen to him constantly still...my reaction to the 2nd anniversary is sad the he is no longer with us making new music and won't be able to see him in concert. But always glad for what he left us and that keeps me happy.

I went last year. It was very needed and cathartic....as im sure was the case for everyone there. Not going this year. Its pretty costly with hotel, travel, etc... It will still be difficult for many, but the celebratory nature will increase with each year. I will be back next year for sure.

I do wish I had access to all of the exclusive merch though...other than through inflated 2nd hand sellers after the event.

gandorb said:

RJOrion said:

^THIS!...i dont understand the desire for people to celeberate the date of someone's death...

Celebrate is your interpretation of anniversary reactions. Anniversary reactions are normal and universal, even if you don't happen to be have one about Prince. They come up for people whether they like it or not. It's not like people decide that they are or aren't going to have one. It just happens. I get the opinion of people who don't want to talk about anniverary reactions but I don't get the judgement towards people who are having them.

Ummmm...you do realize that they are having a Celebration in Minneapolis next week to coincide with the anniversary of Prince's death...right? And the fact that it's the second one means that this is becoming ritualized.

That's what TrivialPursuit and RJOrion are talking about.

Frankly, you're in first class on the judgy train at the moment.

OldFriends4Sale said:

I've been drawing a LOT of Prince inspired pieces since then. Showing my appreciation for his journey and the culture of purple music he inspired.
.
I get really frustrated when I hear people still talking about Prince being murdered or that he is still alive(faked his death). Makes me really

.

Having more music soothes the pain, but having more music also reminds me of the pain.
Being able to add 17 Days extended, Wednesday etc to my playlists is wonderfully painful.

Unfortunately, this seems like a rite of passage when a famous artist tragically passes away...

just think of the people who werent there/here and never understood what we feel..

Genesia said:

I agree with many, in that I'd rather be celebrating and remembering him in June as opposed to April, when he died.
It would be nice if the estate would eventually move the festivities in future years to the first week in June.

jmfd said:

I agree with many, in that I'd rather be celebrating and remembering him in June as opposed to April, when he died.
It would be nice if the estate would eventually move the festivities in future years to the first week in June.

That would solve the snow problem, too...

purplethunder3121 said:

Mumio said:

The grief is still there. I've just learned to hide it better.

Empty Room

luv4u said:

Mumio said:

The grief is still there. I've just learned to hide it better.

Empty Room

Omg, yessssss.