The other day I heard “Raspberry Beret” on the radio and was trying to remember Prince’s real name. I thought it was Victor something because I thought the the pieces of the symbol that Prince changed his name to during his “The Artist Formerly Known as Prince” days could be broken up and reformed to spell out V-I-C-T-O-R. Rather than asking “Siri” I chose to text my brother and ask him; Steve’s the biggest Prince fan I know.
Of course he knew the answer — Prince’s real name is Prince Rogers Nelson. “Victor” is a character in the symbol album songs. This text chain lead to a series of messages from my brother detailing the real names of various other rock and rollers.
Elvis Costello’s real name is Declan MacManus.
David Bowie’s was David Robert Jones.
Iggy Pop’s is Jimmy Osterberg.
Bono’s is Paul Hewson while The Edge is David Evans.
And my favorite text from my brother on this topic?
Mick Jagger’s is Mick Jagger.
Today the world lost Prince Rogers Nelson the man. But the Artist? The artist lives on, here, now and always.
I can recall hearing a great bar band play “Purple Rain” when Steve and I visited Memphis my senior year of college.
I caught a few Prince concerts with Steve over the years and he put on an incredible show. His catalog of hits and jams is deep and powerful.
And so the loss of the man is sad but I have some wonderful memories of the artist that are brought back each time I hear a track played.
Prince Rogers Nelson was only 57. But his legacy is assured, not just for me but for millions of fans the world over.
A lot of people have posted thoughts and lyrics on social media. I’m no different and so I close this post with the lyrics to “Let’s Go Crazy” (1984). They mean something today as perhaps they’ve meant something every day since I first heard them.
Dearly beloved
We are gathered here today
To get through this thing called lifeElectric word life
It means forever and that’s a mighty long time
But I’m here to tell you
There’s something else
The after worldA world of never ending happiness
You can always see the sun, day or nightSo when you call up that shrink in Beverly Hills
You know the one, Dr. Everything’ll Be Alright
Instead of asking him how much of your time is left
Ask him how much of your mind, baby‘Cause in this life
Things are much harder than in the after world
In this life
You’re on your ownAnd if the elevator tries to bring you down
Go crazy, punch a higher floorIf you don’t like the world you’re living in
Take a look around you
At least you got friendsYou see I called my old lady
For a friendly word
She picked up the phone
Dropped it on the floor
(Ah, ah) is all I heardAre we gonna let the elevator
Bring us down
Oh, no let’s go!Let’s go crazy
Let’s get nuts
Let’s look for the purple banana
‘Til they put us in the truck, let’s go!We’re all excited
But we don’t know why
Maybe it’s ’cause
We’re all gonna dieAnd when we do (When we do)
What’s it all for (What’s it all for)
You better live now
Before the grim reaper come knocking on your doorTell me, are we gonna let the elevator bring us down
Oh, no let’s go!Let’s go crazy
Let’s get nuts
Look for the purple banana
‘Til they put us in the truck, let’s go!C’mon baby
Let’s get nuts
Yeah
CrazyLet’s go crazy
Are we gonna let the elevator bring us down
Oh, no let’s go!
Go crazyI said let’s go crazy (Go crazy)
Let’s go, let’s go
Go
Let’s goDr. Everything’ll be alright
Will make everything go wrong
Pills and thrills and daffodils will kill
Hang tough childrenHe’s coming
He’s coming
ComingTake me away!