Purple Reign

Students reflect on which superstar they’d bring back from the dead, one last time.

More stories from Hannah Pitzl

Prince+listened+to+an+audience+roar+while+jamming+on+a+purple+guitar.

Photo by SUBMITTED

Prince listened to an audience roar while jamming on a purple guitar.

After Prince’s death was confirmed on April 21, fans mourned the loss of the 57-year-old pop star. Students at UW-Eau Claire were among those left behind by the “The Purple One” to reminisce with hit songs such as “Kiss” and “I Wanna Be Your Lover.”

Madison Given, freshman nursing student, and Keilan Mehls, sophomore undecided student, said if Prince were to rise from the dead and perform one last song, they would want him to sing his song “Purple Rain.”

Prince has been one of the more recent celebrity deaths, but many famous artists have been lost before their time throughout the years, including musical luminaries such as Jimi Hendrix, Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain and Michael Jackson.

The Spectator went out and asked Eau Claire students to tell us other artists that they wish they could bring back from the dead for one last concert. Students also told us what song they wanted their favorite artist to sing for them as a final farewell:

 

“‘Little Red Corvette’ by Prince.” —  Nils Mowlem, sophomore business administration student.

“‘Thriller’ by Michael Jackson.” — Olivia Asta, freshman business law student, and Andrew Cotter, freshman undecided student.

“‘Billie Jean’ by Michael Jackson.”  — Caitlin Monsoon, freshman legal studies student.

“‘Rock and Roll High School,’ by The Ramones.”  —  Derek Fritz, freshman music education student.

“‘I Will Always Love you,’ by Whitney Houston.” —  Pierce Moriarty, sophomore communications student.

“‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ by Freddie Mercury.” — Connor Demchuck, freshman computer science student.

“‘Hound Dog,’ by Elvis.” — Rachel Pulkinen, freshman biology student.

“Any song by David Bowie.” —  Nathan Hopp, freshman english student.

”’Starman’ by David Bowie.” — Blake Enerson, junior accounting student.

”I’ve Got a Name’ by Jim Croce.” — Max Harding, junior geography and journalism student.

“‘Back to Black’ by Amy Winehouse.” — Caroline Saksefski, freshman history student..

“‘Smells Like Team Spirit,’ by Kurt Cobain.” — Jared Stone, junior english RSTC student.

“‘Lil’ Homies’ by Tupac.” — Samuel Phillips, freshman economics student.

“‘Sesame Street Theme Song.’ by Frank Sinatra.” — Samuel Lee, freshman biology student.

“‘Imagine’ by John Lennon.” — Kailin Schumacher, freshman journalism student.