MINNEAPOLIS — It's hard to believe, but it's been nearly 40 years since 'Purple Rain,' the iconic Prince album, was released. In honor of that anniversary, hundreds of Prince fans descended on Minneapolis to celebrate his life and music.
"We're here to celebrate Prince!" Michelle Gonzalez from the Bay Area, said.
"We've made a lot of friends and family from all over the world, just to come and keep him alive," Regina Lopez of Fresno, California, said.
Fans came from all over the United States and even the world for this weekend's events.
"Here from Melbourne, Australia," Paul Curmi said. "This is like family, we don't have to explain to each other what Prince means to us."
The celebrations will last well into the weekend, with a concert from The Revolution Friday night, a block party Saturday and tours of Paisley Park on Sunday.
"Celebrating any of those milestones without him is always hurtful, painful feeling, this one in particular," Londell McMillan, Prince's manager and attorney of over a decade. "That's why we wanted to share with the community that he loved."
That community was easy to spot Friday night, with hundreds of passerby wearing shades of purple.
As fans come together, the rain Minnesota has been experiencing isn't slowing them down.
"No matter what, perfect rain for our Purple Rain celebration," Lopez said. "40 years, it's perfect. We love it!"
Even 40 years on, Prince's lyrics feel more true than ever – 'If you don't like the world you're living in, take a look around you, at least you got friends.'
"It's a family thing, I feel like we all know each other and I think that's being a Prince fan," Curmi said.
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