Tribute in Purple

Fans have been remembering the life of Prince with purple-coloured tributes, after the star died suddenly at the age of 57. Buildings, newspaper front pages and websites across the US and beyond have changed colour in his honour.

Prince was found dead in a lift at his Minnesota home last Thursday. Prince wrote hundreds of songs for himself and other artists. He was one of the most prolific artists in music, releasing 39 studio albums, including four in the last 18 months. Prince's innovative music spanned rock, funk and jazz. He sold more than 100 million records during his career. US President Barack Obama said the world had "lost a creative icon". Hundreds of people gathered for an all-night party at the First Avenue nightclub in Minneapolis, where Prince recorded his 1984 hit Purple Rain.

Born in 1958, Prince was a prolific writer and performer from a young age - reportedly writing his first song when he was seven. He was also an arranger and multi-instrumentalist, and recorded more than 30 albums. His best-known hits include “Let's Go Crazy” and “When Doves Cry.”

In 1984, he won an Oscar for the score to Purple Rain, a film in which he also starred. Throughout his career he had a reputation for secrecy and eccentricity, once changing his name to an unpronounceable symbol. He had a mercurial relationship with technology. In 2000, he released singles via the pioneering music-sharing service Napster, but he later declared the internet "completely over" and refused to allow his music on major streaming platforms.

Tributes have been pouring in from artists young and old, across the musical spectrum, and we at Star Showbiz wanted to pay our homage to the artist as well. May he rest in peace and continue his Purple Reign on the other side.