Rockers React to Prince’s Death
The shocking news of Prince's death reverberated throughout the music world today, with scores of the acclaimed artist's peers taking to social media to share their grief in the wake of his sudden passing at the age of 57.
As previously reported, Prince was found in his Minnesota home, days after he was briefly hospitalized with what a representative later dismissed as a case of the flu. Initially broken by TMZ, the news has since been confirmed by the Associated Press via one of Prince's publicists.
Early reactions to the news came from across the musical spectrum, with everyone from Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood to pop singer Katy Perry rushing to pay their respects. It's a testament to Prince's stature and influence that Wood could call him a friend while scores of others, including Guns N' Roses vets Slash and Duff McKagan, would feel his absence so keenly in the hours after his passing.
Others who paid tribute included Kiss co-founders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, who called the death "a profound loss" while lauding Prince a "giant," respectively, as well as former Mötley Crüe member Nikki Sixx, who called him "the true definition of a real artist." Peter Frampton confessed disbelief upon hearing the news, adding, "Sad isn't the word." Check out the reactions (including one from the president) below.