Jubilation infusing opening day of the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is tempered for some by sadness over the death of pop music icon Prince.
Rocker Grace Potter included Prince songs in her Jazz Fest set, telling fans: “Don’t party for yourselves. Party for Prince.”
Cowboy Mouth lead singer Fred Leblanc, mentioned the passing before launching into the band’s popular “l Believe,” a song about the power of love and rock ‘n’ roll.
The Southern Rock band Gov’t Mule, one of Friday evening’s closing acts, tweeted praise for Prince on Thursday and was expected to pay homage during its performance on the festival’s Gentilly stage.
The second day of the Festival kicked off with tributes to the late Prince by Pearl Jam and others. Eddie Vedder took a moment to acknowledge what’s really on the crowd’s mind. “It’s been such a crazy few days,” he says. Vedder dedicated their performance to Prince.
Maxwell had some kind words for Prince. “We just lost the greatest musician in the world,” He followed with a musical tribute to the late singer, with “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life,” a line from Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy” and the titular lyric of “When Doves Cry.” It was a fitting tribute to an icon gone too soon.
Zydeco scion Corey Ledet in tribute to Prince, a faithful-sounding cover of “Purple Rain” with horns and guitars but – in an unheard of move for most zydeco bands – free of accordion. “We love you, Prince!” Ledet says, as he concludes the song.
As a Prince tribute, rapper J Cole wore a custom athletic jersey of Prince’s The Artist Formerly Known As symbol: a symbol of rebellion worn by a rapper known for speaking his truth.
(Billboard)
(Image:Billboard )
(ABC)