See Slipknot’s Corey Taylor Sing Powerful ‘Purple Rain’ Prince Tribute

Slipknot and Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor sang a moving, acoustic rendition of Prince’s “Purple Rain” Thursday night at Minneapolis’ First Avenue club, one of the settings in the Purple Rain movie. The singer, dressed casually in a white T-shirt, jeans and slicked-back hair, walked out solo and plugged in his guitar.

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When the music stopped, he motioned for the crowd to quiet down and strummed the song’s famous opening chords, and with that, the audience was rapt. His vocals throughout were passionate and raw, and rather than attempt the Purple One’s fiery guitar solo, he just kept strumming the chords until the song ended, a single spotlight shone on him and he looked up as though he were having a spiritual moment.

The singer gave a similar treatment to “Little Red Corvette.” It was a somber performance until about midway through when he shouted, “Give me some noise.” The audience sang along with him throughout.

Earlier in the day, news broke that Prince had been found dead at his home in Paisley Park Studios, located in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Musicians, celebrities and artists all over the world have since begun paying tribute. Mick Jagger released a statement saying Prince’s “talent was limitless.” Elton John and Paul McCartney both released statements, as did Frank Ocean, Deborah Allen, Michael Keaton and Pearl Jam. Stevie Wonder offered up a heartfelt reflection, Spike Lee hosted a block party and the cast of Hamilton simply went crazy.

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