But back in Minnesota, where Prince called home, there has been an unprecedented sense of community. From his Paisley Park estate to a block party hosted by The Current outside First Avenue, the venue that transformed Prince from a musician to a legend, tens of thousands of fans gathered to mourn the loss of one of Minnesota's greatest artists.
Prince's influence and legacy was truly realized around the world in a day. These photos capture what words cannot.
The Current's Andrea Swensson live on the phone with Jade from Paisley Park in Chanhassen, Minn. April 21, 2016.
Law enforcement outside Paisley Park in Chanhassen, Minn. April 21, 2016 (Nate Ryan/MPR)
News media waiting for confirmation of Prince's death outside Paisley Park in Chanhassen, Minn. April 21, 2016.
Fans begin to bring purple flowers to Paisley Park in after confirmation of Prince's death. Chanhassen, Minn. April 21, 2016.
Fans pay tribute to Prince outside Paisley Park in Chanhassen, Minn. April 21, 2016.
Steve Rognoud of Maple Grove drove to Paisley Park upon hearing the news of Prince's passing. It has been a hard spring for Rognoud, with the recent deaths of his many musical idols including Bowie and Merle Haggard. Chanhassen, Minn. April 21, 2016.
Rachel Hager of South Minneapolis heard the news and drove to Paisley Park not sure where else to go. Rachel said her first musical love was Prince, having first seen Purple Rain at age eight. Chanhassen, Minn. April 21, 2016.
Sherry Staat, a longtime fan from Eden Prairie, said she drives past Paisley Park every day. Her grandson texted her the news from high school. Chanhassen, Minn. April 21, 2016.
Bill Pomerenke drove from his office in Edina to pay respect to Prince outside of Paisley Park in Chanhassen, Minn. April 21, 2016.
After hearing of Prince's passing, Jack Straux biked from Chaska to Paisley Park to respects to Prince. Chanhassen, Minn. April 21, 2016.
Cederic Riley takes a photo with Prince's star outside of First Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. April 21, 2016.
Fans of Prince gather outside of First Avenue at Prince's star in downtown Minneapolis. April 21, 2016.
A bouquet of purple flowers outside of First Avenue bellow Prince's star in downtown Minneapolis. April 21, 2016.
A fan takes a photo of a flower for the impromptu Prince memorial outside of First Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. April 21, 2016.
Sarah Lee brought her 13-month-old son to the impromptu Prince memorial that formed outside of First Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. April 21, 2016.
MPR photos / Nate Ryan
DJ Shannon Blotorch at the block party outside First Avenue. April 21, 2016.
The Current's Jade on stage at The Current's Prince memorial block party outside First Avenue. April 21, 2016.
Slug of Atmosphere
Cameron Kinghorn of Nooky Jones
Heather Deatrick: "It was a crappy day." April 21, 2016.
deM atlaS
Claire de Lune
Sarah White
PaviElle French
Chastity Brown
Sarah White
Cameron Kinghorn
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman
Jade of The Current
Lizzo, who flew in from Los Angeles to perform at the block party honoring Prince. April 21, 2016.
Lizzo
All artists on stage to perform "Purple Rain." April 21, 2016.
Fans try to get photos of Prince's star painted on the side of First Avenue. April 21, 2016.
Purple Rain on the big screen inside First Avenue. April 21, 2016.
Emmet Kowler for MPR
Emmet Kowler for MPR
Emmet Kowler for MPR
The I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis, lit purple for Prince on April 22, 2016 (Emmet Kowler for MPR)
