Photo by Tom Hintgen
Paisley Park, the home and recording studio of the late singer Prince, is located in Chanhassen southwest of the Twin Cities.

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

People who visit Paisley Park, the home and studio of the late musician Prince, see lots of purple throughout the facility and even an entire “Purple Rain” room. The hour and a half tour is $65 per person and is well worth it.

As noted on the Paisley Park website, the home of Prince is a place where art, music, fashion and culture are celebrated. Visitors prepurchase tickets on line and are inspired by the visionary and creative spirit of Prince. 

Paisley Park draws people from around the world.

Hit tunes by Prince over the past four decades, in addition to his 1984 hit “Purple Rain,” have included “Raspberry Beret,” “Little Red Corvette,” “When Doves Cry” and “1999.”

Prince was born in June 1958 and spent most of his life in Minnesota. He became interested in music at a young age and taught himself how to play the piano, guitar and drums.

With his band “The Revolution,” Prince went on to create the classic album “Purple Rain” in 1984 which also served as the soundtrack to the movie of the same name.

By the time he released his 11th studio album, the soundtrack to “Batman” in 1989, Prince had become one of America’s most successful pop artists. In the early 1990s he launched a blend of contemporary R&B, hip-hop, jazz and soul music.

In 2007 Prince performed during the Super Bowl XLI halftime show in Miami on a massive stage shaped as his famous symbol. The event was watched by 140 million fans.

Prince died at Paisley Park in April 2016 at the age of 57. Before his death he expressed wishes that his home and studio would one day be available for visitors. Prince would no doubt be pleased that people come to Paisley Park from all over the world, feeling his creative spirit.