http://www.startribune.co...508966712/

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His lifelong fascination with lighting started when, as a student in Minneapolis, he was picked to run the movie projector. Back then, the projectors used carbon arc lamps to illuminate the images thrown onto the screen.

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Bourn was still in his 20s when he bought his first war-surplus searchlight, a 5-foot-diameter, 800-million-candlepower light that could be seen up to 30 miles away. He went into business in 1964 as Hollywood Premiere Searchlight Advertising.

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Bourn also owned, operated and rented out theatrical spotlights like the Super Trouper models immortalized in an ABBA song. He put the spotlight on rock acts, professional wrestlers, ice skating shows, circuses and monster truck competitions at venues ranging from the Minnesota State Fair grandstand to the Metrodome.

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When scenes from the 1984 film “Purple Rain” were shot at First Avenue, two of Bourn’s spotlights were used to shine on Prince. Bourn operated one, his son Brian ran the other.

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