Local Current Blog
Watch: Minneapolis City Hall bell tower plays Prince tribute
by Jay Gabler
April 24, 2016
A crowd gathered at Minneapolis City Hall at 1:00 p.m. this afternoon to hear Prince songs played on the building's bell tower. From 1:00 to 1:30, bell player Tony Hill performed songs including “Kiss,” “1999,” “Nothing Compares 2 U” and “When You Were Mine" in tribute to the late music legend.
The bell tower has only 15 notes, which makes it challenging to adapt pop songs, but the several dozen onlookers — and the thousands more from around the world who listened via The Current's Facebook page — seemed to appreciate the spirit of the tribute.
"Prince was always loyal to Minneapolis and now our city is giving the love back," wrote Lisa Reiter Radwan in a Facebook comment. "Proud to be Minnesotan!"
The keyboard controller for the Minneapolis City Hall bell tower. The city had bell player Tony Hill perform several of Prince's songs on the bells Sunday at 1 p.m. Minneapolis, MN April 24th, 2016.
The keyboard controller for the Minneapolis City Hall bell tower. The city had bell player Tony Hill perform several of Prince's songs on the bells Sunday at 1 p.m. Minneapolis, MN April 24th, 2016.g
Bell player Tony Hill waits for 1 p.m. to perform several of Prince's songs on the bells of the Minneapolis City Hall clock tower. Minneapolis, MN April 24th, 2016.
Bell player Tony Hill performs several of Prince's songs on the bells of the Minneapolis City Hall clock tower. Minneapolis, MN April 24th, 2016.
Prince fans stand in the rain outside of Minneapolis City Hall to hear a tribute to Prince, with his songs played on the clock tower bells. Minneapolis, MN April 24th, 2016.
Minneapolis City Hall paid a tribute to Prince, by playing his songs on the clock tower bells. Minneapolis, MN April 24th, 2016.
Willow, of Minneapolis, stands in the rain with her eyes closed outside of Minneapolis City Hall listening to a tribute to Prince, as his songs were played on the clock tower bells. Minneapolis, MN April 24th, 2016.
Julie Schwebach of Plymoth, pulled her car to the side of the road to listenas his songs were played on the clock tower bells of Minneapolis City Hall. Minneapolis, MN April 24th, 2016.
Prince fans stand in the rain outside of Minneapolis City Hall to hear a tribute to Prince, with his songs played on the clock tower bells. Minneapolis, MN April 24th, 2016.
This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.