Springsteen and Prince started their careers in the ’70s, but became pop superstars in the ’80s; in the summer of 1984, both artists had hugely successful albums: Springsteen with Born in the U.S.A. and Prince with Purple Rain. The respect was mutual between the two artists: in a 1990 Rolling Stone article (via Backstreets), Prince said, “I’m not real into Bruce Springsteen’s music, but I have a lot of respect for his talent.”
The article went on to say that the two artists occasionally exchange notes; in recalling a Springsteen concert he saw from backstage, Prince said, “I admire the way he holds his audience – there’s one man whose fans I could never take away.” He also noted a respect for Springsteen as a bandleader: “At one point, his band started going off somewhere. Springsteen turned around and shot the band one terrifying look. You know they got right back on it!”
And tonight Bruce paid tribute to the late (and great) Prince with one of his most popular songs “Purple Rain.” It was a song that became extremely popular from the movie of the same name that also starred Prince. Purple Rain is one of the most famous ballads of all time and to hear Springsteen give his rendition will definitely bring a tear or two to your eyes. If Prince were still alive even he would appreciate how great a move this was. Of all the tributes to Prince going on in the last few days and all the ones we’ll likely see, this one ranks right up there.
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