'A Kid From Minneapolis': Prince's Home State Pays Tribute
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Fans flooded downtown Minneapolis for an all night dance party at First Avenue, a tribute Prince himself would have loved. Similar parties popped up across the country.
The celebration of life is far from over for Prince fans. First Avenue is holding two more nights of outdoor celebrations. On Thursday night, thousands of people flooded the streets for an all-night party that wasn't nearly enough to celebrate a home-grown creative genius.
"Even before this happened, you'd listen to certain songs and remember a certain point in time," Tami Zachman said.
People kept showing up, showered in purple -- another tie to a public figure who lived privately.
"He was a great a person," Adonaea Chatman said. "He was kind-hearted, did a lot for the community, always came back and represented for Minnesota."
From fans he never met to other artists he inspired, the connection is real. One fan shared a Prince story he would never forget.
"I'm like, 'I want to work with you,' and he says, 'As long as its without them.' And I'm like, 'Who?' And he's like, 'The labels,' then he dirves off," he said. 'Then two days later I got an invite to Paisley Park for a private jam session. So it's crazy."
The tattoo shop Brass Knuckles in Uptown says they're seeing more requests for Prince tattoos. Many shops in the area are taking walk-ins all day.
"It's kind of weird and I guess sentimental, but I moved to Minnesota when I was 9 and Prince was the first thing I was introduced to," one fan said while getting a tattoo. "I feel like he's the symbol for music."
Big crowds can make people a little nervous, but the Minneapolis police department and city are working with First Avenue to make sure things run smoothly. Police say there were no issues Thursday night.
