Brokenhearted. Stevie Wonder opened up to CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Thursday, April 21, as he spoke about his devastation at the death of his friend, the musical icon Prince.
During an interview on Anderson Cooper 360, an emotional Wonder spoke about the “Purple Rain” superstar, describing their jam sessions together and Prince’s amazing ability to combine cultures.
“He was a great musician. He loved music. He loved playing his instrument,” Wonder explained. “He could play classical music if he wanted to. He could play jazz if he wanted to, he could play country if he wanted to. He played rock, you know, he played blues. He played pop. He played everything.”
Wonder, who performed with Prince at a secret White House show in 2015, spoke about his personal sadness at the news that his friend had passed away.
“It’s a heartbreak and I was shocked,” the 65-year-old singer revealed. “I didn’t believe it, as I find it so hard to believe. It’s a heartbreak to lose a member of that army of love.”
Wonder was asked by Cooper to sing one of Prince’s classic hits, but the musician declined the offer.
“I think I would probably break down if I do a song right now, but he was incredible, and I am just glad that I was able to say to him, ‘I love you,'” he said. “The last time I saw him, his commitment was in the action of what he did, not with the satisfaction of letting people know that he did it. A great musician, a great producer, a great songwriter, someone that allowed himself to be himself and encouraged others to be themselves. It’s always great when we don’t allow fear to put our dreams to sleep, and he didn’t.”
Watch Wonder’s emotional tribute in the video above.
