In August of 2005, I picked up my first guitar.
In February of 2007, I watched one of the greatest guitar and vocal performances of my life. For 12 minutes, all of my senses became locked and numbed by one of the best on-television performances of my time.
I sat with my dad in front of the television on Super Bowl Sunday, watched the Colts and the Bears duke it out, and quite frankly, remember nothing about the football. But, what I do vividly remember was the remarkable halftime show, performed by none other than… Prince.
In front of the Miami crowd, the experienced and talented 5’2” man in a teal and orange suit opened up his performance by saying, “Dearly beloved, we gathered here today to get through this thing called life…"
He then proceeded to play the rest of “Let’s Go Crazy,” which is the opening track on the "Purple Rain" album. From there, he played “Baby, I’m a Star,” and ad-libbed the lyrics.
Then, in dramatic Prince-like action, it started to rain. For the first time at a Super Bowl, it rained. He reacted beautifully. "Somebody take my picture, with all this rain.”
After playing his first two songs, he created a medley of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Proud Mary," Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower," and the Foo Fighters' "Best of You.” With four minutes left on stage, he closed his performance with “Purple Rain.”
A large silk screen covered the front of the stage, and then the world sung along. “Purple rain, purple rain, I only want to see you, Only want to see you, In the purple rain.”
No other performances during the Super Bowl have compared to this one. As a third grader, I did not comprehend the true meaning behind his performance (such as the shape of the guitar), however, he did inspire me to play my guitar better, harder, and with more pizzazz.
Eric Clapton was once asked what it was like to be the greatest guitar player alive, and he responded, "I don't know. Ask Prince."
I played my guitar until high school, then had to stop because of my busy schedule. I wish I had never quit. I have recently been feeling a call to start playing again. With our Prince now gone, I find myself longing to play music again.
Listening to his performance again, I became numbed just like when I was a young child. I want to rediscover both his life, and the lives of other musicians similarly. To search for what was once my youthful passion.
Thank you, Prince, for filling our hearts with beautiful music, and for spending your life sharing your gift with us all.
