Over that time, Prince played in Cleveland numerous times. When he performed in 2004 at the Q (then called Gund Arena), he retired his incredible “hits” for what he said would be the last time. It was one of the best concerts we’ve ever seen.
A masterful performer, he worked every inch of the in-the-round stage during the show. That he was able to dance and play the heck out of the guitar while wearing white silver-heeled stiletto boots was all the more remarkable. His material from the 1990s — “Let’s Go Crazy,” “I Would Die 4 U,” “When Doves Cry” — really resonated, and he even revisited “Nothing Compares 2 U,” a tune that Sinead O’Connor turned into a chart-topping hit before he concluded the concert with an extended “Purple Rain” jam that served as an exclamation point of sorts as confetti fell from the rafters during its final notes.
Since 2014, he recorded with 3rd Eye Girl, a psychedelic rock and funk act that showed just how much he continued to experiment and blend various musical styles.
The Rock Hall has a few of his items in its collection, but none of them are currently on display.
This article appears in Apr 20-26, 2016.
– A Wizard, a True Star –