Hard Rock Hotel San Diego Goes Purple For Prince

SAN DIEGO, CA: The lobby of the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter was lit in purple Thursday in memory of musical icon Prince, who died at the age of 57 at his Paisley Park estate in Minnesota.

The last San Diego performances by Prince — born Prince Rogers Nelson — took place at the hotel in 2013, giving fans an intimate view of the master showman.

"The energy was palpable, we were so excited when he got on stage and when he performed his set," Rana Kay, the hotel's public relations director, told NBC7/39.

"If you've ever seen Prince, he's a very energetic performer — he's spectacular at playing the guitar and he has this magnetism," Kay said. "You hear about it, but seeing it live, he's just commanding the room — truly amazing."

The hotel piped Prince's music into the lobby and will light up the outside in purple tonight, the station reported.

Another area music venue, the House of Blues, wrote "Prince - A legend. You will be missed."

There was no immediate word on a cause of death, although he had recently been hospitalized with the flu, prompting him to cancel a pair of performances.

Prince created a musical style of his own, making him one of the best- selling artists of all time, thanks to hits including "When Doves Cry," "1999," "Raspberry Beret," "Kiss" and "Little Red Corvette." His talent was on full display in the 1984 film "Purple Rain," which became a cult sensation and propelled him to super stardom.

Prince won an Oscar for best original song for "Purple Rain." He also won seven Grammys.

"Never one to conform, he redefined and forever changed our musical landscape," said Neil Portnow, president/CEO of The Recording Academy. "Prince was an original who influenced so many, and his legacy will live on forever. We have lost a true innovator and our sincerest condolences go out to his family, friends, collaborators and all who have been impacted by his incredible work."

Prince performed one of the Super Bowl's most memorable half-time shows — in a driving rainstorm in Miami in 2007, bringing the crowd to its feet with his opening number, "Let's Go Crazy."

"I loved this man. Too soon. Can't comprehend it but it's unfortunately true," MC Hammer said via Twitter. "Heaven is yours."

Justin Timberlake said he was "numb" and "stunned" at the news, while Ariana Grande called him "an artist who showed true creative freedom and challenged all barriers."

City News Service

Photo: Prince in 2009 (Micahmedia via Wikimedia)