Prince had a special connection to Canada
Heartbroken musicians, actors and celebrities mourn pop icon
Pop superstar Prince, who died Thursday, had a special relationship with Canada, and particularly to Toronto, the city where he once lived.
The notoriously private ’80s icon married Toronto native Manuela Testolini in the early-to-mid 2000s and settled in the tony Bridle Path neighbourhood. The pair divorced in July 2006, but the Purple Rain singer apparently never lost his affection for the city.
Among his final public appearances were back-to-back shows at Toronto’s Sony Centre last month, surprise concerts announced just 48 hours earlier.
The performances were followed by an impromptu after-show at a downtown club.
“I love Toronto,” he told The Canadian Press in 2004.
“It’s cosmopolitan. There’s all sorts of different kinds of people everywhere you go in Toronto. There’s all sorts of great music, great restaurants, great night spots that don’t respond to a lot of American playlists and have playlists which I really dig.
“It’s a real melting pot in every sense of the word.”
Prince recorded his critically acclaimed Musicology album during his time in Toronto. The CD jacket features the funk master in front of the gleaming Toronto skyline at night, and includes at least one veiled reference to the street where he lived.
One of Prince’s earliest proteges was Niagara Falls, Ont.-born Vanity, who fronted the ’80s girl group Vanity 6. He wrote the band’s hit Nasty Girl.
The former model, whose legal name was Denise Matthews, was also originally cast as Prince’s love interest in the film Purple Rain before it went to Apollonia Kotero.
Matthews died in February at 57 while Prince was touring Australia. He dedicated several songs to her during a show.
One of his guitarists also hailed from Toronto: Donna Grantis of his backing band 3rdEyeGirl, who also played with New Power Generation.
Meanwhile, celebrities reacted to Prince’s death Wednesday via Twitter or media release:
“This is what it sounds like when doves cry … Prince R.I.P. Condolences to his family & 2 us all.” — Whoopi Goldberg
“And just like that … the world lost a lot of magic Rest in peace Prince! Thanks for giving us so much.” — Katy Perry
“What a sad day today! Terribly sorry to hear that #Prince has passed! What an incredible talent.” — La Toya Jackson
“The Prince is dead. Long live the Prince.” — Kathy Bates
“A shock to read #Prince has died. He was so magnificent at the Super Bowl that I was privileged to perform the National Anthem in sign. RIP.” — Marlee Matlin
“No matter what he asked us to call him, Prince was a force. Genius in the studio. Brilliant onstage. And a 4-star movie. #PurpleRain.” — Richard Roeper
“I am stunned to hear about #Prince, a huge part of my record collection and the sound of my 20s. A rare kinda brilliance. RIP.” — Eric McCormack
“MTV is heartbroken and in utter disbelief at the news that the world has lost Prince Rogers Nelson so suddenly and so before his time. Prince was a once-in-a-lifetime artist who transcended every medium and genre he touched and created music with a passion and individuality that inspired multiple generations.” — Statement from MTV
“I can’t. I just can not. #Prince” — Shonda Rhimes
“PRINCE, sad to say, has passed on!!! He was a Giant. My deep condolences go out to his family, friends and fans.” — Gene Simmons
“This (expletive) sucks. Prince on repeat all day. Just like I did with Michael and Whitney.” — Demi Lovato
“Now Prince? No no no.. RIP You genius x.” — Robbie Williams
“I Miss My Brother. Prince Was A Funny Cat. Great Sense Of Humor.” — Spike Lee
“Prince was brilliant and larger than life. What a sad day.” — Ellen DeGeneres
“Heartbroken to hear about the sudden passing of Prince. RIP.” — Lori Loughlin
“RIP to one the greatest to ever hit the stage #Prince. We are all going to cry purple tears today. #Legend.” — Tito Jackson