5 years after Prince’s death, fans pay respects at pop legend’s Paisley Park studio

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Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. memento / məˈmɛn toʊ / (n.) – something kept as a reminder of a person, event, place, etc.
    Example:

    My company gave me a watch as a memento of my 25 years of service.


  2. late / leɪt / (adj.) – describing someone who has died, especially someone who has died recently
    Example:

    The author wrote the book in honor of his late grandfather, who died last year.


  3. snag / snæg / (v.) – to get something from acting quickly or being lucky
    Example:

    I was able to snag two VIP tickets to the concert!


  4. sprawling / ˈsprɔl ɪŋ / (adj.) – extending across a large area
    Example:

    The sprawling resort has several big pools, a spa, a restaurant, and other facilities.


  5. overdose / ˈoʊ vərˌdoʊs / (n.) – an overly large, dangerous amount of a drug or another substance taken or given at one time
    Example:

    An overdose of sleeping pills can cause death.


Article

Read the text below.

Prince fans marked the fifth anniversary of his death from inside Paisley Park studio, where the pop superstar lived and worked in the small city of Chanhassen, Minnesota, on April 21.


Some of the fans wore custom Prince clothes and shoes and left flowers and other mementos as tributes to the late musician.


Around 1,400 people snagged free reservations to the event inside the studio’s atrium. Other fans paid their respects in front of a statue outside the front doors. The statue was in the shape of Prince’s famous purple Love Symbol.


“He reached me through his music and through his words and everything. My daughters, I raised them with the love of Prince,” said Raquel Ponce of Mason City, Iowa.


The sprawling studio was turned into a museum in October 2016, around six months after Prince died of an accidental fentanyl overdose at age 57. (AP)


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Prince fans marked the fifth anniversary of his death from inside Paisley Park studio. Has the death of a musician or other celebrity ever affected you strongly? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • One fan said that Prince reached her “through his music and through his words and everything.” Have you ever felt a strong connection with someone’s music, writing, or art? If so, how did his/her work influence you? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Prince died at age 57. In your opinion, why do so many famous musicians and artists seem to die young? Discuss.
  • Prince died of an accidental fentanyl overdose. Are overdoses common in your country? Do you think anything can be done to prevent them? Why or why not? Discuss.