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Prince Tributes Continue On After Entertainer's Death

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- Before fans crowded Xcel Energy Center Sunday afternoon, we caught a glimpse of a special tribute.

Prince's logo spread across the seats in the arena. A moment of silence was also held before Game 6 between the Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars.

The team says the world lost one of the greatest musical legends of all time, adding that Prince reached the entire globe and his music transcended generations and cultures.

Earlier in the afternoon in downtown Minneapolis, the tower bells at City Hall rang in a way we haven't heard before. Starting at 1 p.m., the bell ringers played a few of Prince's hit songs.

He died on Thursday morning at his Paisley Park complex in Chanhassen. He was 57.

Saturday, the singer's family and close friends gathered there to celebrate his life in a private ceremony. His publicist says Prince's body was cremated and the location of the final storage of his remains will be private.

A mega superstar who commanded the spotlight on stage -- but when the lights dimmed --- Prince was mysterious and private -- in life, and now in death.

The singer's family and close friends arrived at Paisley Park Saturday afternoon for a private memorial service to say goodbye. Larry Graham, a Jehovah's Witness, is credited with introducing Prince to the faith.

As a musician and songwriter himself, he collaborated with Prince many times over the years.

"He was a very spiritual man. He pushed us. He made us," Graham said.

"Everyone fell in love with his music. They didn't know him like we did. Keep it at that, writing songs for us," Sheila E. said.

His family even handed out purple gift boxes to fans to say thank you. Just as with Paisley Park, a sea of purple surrounds First Avenue. Prince filmed Purple Rain at the music venue in the 80s.

As a tribute, First Avenue has held all night dance parties every night since the singer's death.

Even when the club reached capacity, fans waited outside to get their feet through the same door Prince put on the map more than three decades ago.

When the party ended around 7 a.m. Sunday morning, they said it was worth the wait.

"Oh my God. They played all the new school cuts. Everyone was vibing. This is his life, his legacy," fan Leonard Taylor said.

The Carver County Sheriff reports Prince was last seen Wednesday night, when an acquaintance dropped him off at Paisley Park. After a 911 call on Thursday morning, paramedics found Prince unresponsive in an elevator.

Medics performed CPR, but were unsuccessful. Authorities say there were no obvious signs of trauma and Prince was alone when he died.

In the coming days and weeks, fans are expected to continue honoring the music legend  who made who an impact on and off the stage. As Prince fans continue to leave flowers and gifts at Paisley Park and First Avenue, we've learned that this coming Saturday, a celebration of his life is taking place.

It will be held at the Sabathani Community Center in south Minneapolis, the location where Prince attended Bryant Junior High.

Organizers say DJs will be playing Prince songs, and musicians will perform as well. The family-friendly event is from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 30th, and it's free and open to the public. You are asked to wear purple, and to bring a lawn chair.

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