Prince was (that past tense feels so wrong) unquestionably one of the greatest live performers of all-time. His concerts were life-changing events, even when they were in the middle of otherwise boring football games and award shows. In an Instagram tribute, former California Breed guitarist Andrew Watt called the Purple One, his “guitar idol,” the “last of the greatest living performers.” That’s probably a little emotionally hyperbolic — Bruce Springsteen and The Roots are pretty great live — but still, point taken.
Prince clearly meant a lot to Watt (and everyone).
This past Tuesday night before my show I was picking out an outfit…I was so tired from the past week of endless traveling and gigging that I grabbed my Prince shirt and said f*ck it I’m gonna channel the purple one tonight…I didn’t shower after the gig out of pure exhaustion…I went to sleep in that shirt and then I wore it again all day yesterday…today waking up to this news I am truly beside myself…devastated…the last of the greatest living performers…my guitar idol…his connection to ALL his instruments yielded a sexual transcending aura and the world is just less f*cking cool without him walking on it (Via)
You know who’s not one of the “greatest living performers”? Justin Bieber, who impressively managed to make Prince’s passing about himself.
Oh, Justin. No.
Now, there’s a chance Bieber (who’s jammed with Watt in the studio) wasn’t referring to himself here, but considering his history, and the fact that he recorded a song called “Sorry” to apologize for being such a twat, would you believe that? Even Kanye West hasn’t said anything this confounding (yet?).
