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Prince: Wolf Blitzer incorrectly remembers the artist's classic film... 'Purple Haze'

The 'Purple Rain' artist was found dead Wednesday morning

Feliks Garcia
New York
Thursday 21 April 2016 16:58 EDT
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Prince, 57, cancelled a series of shows and was reportedly hospitalised after an emergency plane landing in the weeks before his death
Prince, 57, cancelled a series of shows and was reportedly hospitalised after an emergency plane landing in the weeks before his death

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CNN’s Wolf Blitzer looked back fondly on the career of music legend Prince following news of his sudden passing - but, based on what he said, he must have been thinking about the 1960’s artist, Jimi Hendrix.

During a segment about the Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer - who was confirmed dead Thursday afternoon - Blitzer misattributed the song “Purple Haze” to Prince, when he clearly meant to reference the film (or record) Purple Rain.

“He's been so active over all of these years, writing music, performing, soundtracks for major motion pictures,” Blitzer said. “All of us, of course, remember ‘Purple Haze’ and what that did for the world of music.”

Prince released the soundtrack for Purple Rain, in which he also starred, in 1984 - 17 years after Hendrix recorded “Purple Haze.” The record earned Prince an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score.

Prince, 57, was found dead Thursday morning at his estate in Chanhassen, Minnesota. His publicist confirmed the news with The Independent, saying it was “devastatingly true.”

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