Prince fans applaud 'next closest thing' at tribute in St. Charles
The timing was perfect. The glow sticks - more than 900 of them - were purple like Prince's famous "Purple Rain."
Friday evening at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles was a tribute to the groundbreaking musician and entertainer known for blending rock with funk, and although the show by Prince tribute band The Purple Xperience was planned months ago, it took place one day after Prince Rogers Nelson's death Thursday at his home near Minneapolis.
"We've chosen this to be a celebration of his life and a way for people to get together to grieve as a fan base," said Ron Onesti, president and CEO of The Onesti Entertainment Corp. and the Arcada Theatre.
Some called for the show to be canceled, but after conversations with the band - which includes Matt "Doctor" Fink, who performed with Prince and The Revolution from 1978 to 1991 - Onesti decided the show should go on.
"I think people need it," he said.
Suburban Prince fans flocked in wearing purple and black, reflecting on the career of the 57-year-old singer and instrumentalist who wowed them with his versatile voice and gave the American culture the phrase "Tonight I'm gonna party like it's 1999."
"I'm 46; I grew up with Prince," said Mark Ellis of Wheaton. "Anytime you lose someone from your childhood, it's like a piece of you goes away, too."
Mona Strayve of Warrenville said she had to do a double-take when the news came through on her phone Thursday that Prince was dead. Strayve said she admired Prince for his "mysterious" personality, his breathtaking ability on multiple instruments and the joy he put into performing.
"It was really his true given talent and gift," she said.
Growing up on the West Side of Chicago, Walter Moore of Naperville said Prince's music was "house party music." Hearing of the Arcada show Friday morning, he quickly snagged tickets for him and his mom - grabbing two of the last 30 seats in the 900-seat house. Fans like Strayve and Ellis who acted later got standing room only.
A video memorial to Prince started the show, taking on a charitable focus - as well as a cathartic one.
"Are you ready to celebrate?" the band asked before launching into a rendition of "Uptown" for its first number.
Onesti said The Purple Xperience planned to donate a portion of its proceeds from the show to the Purple Foundation, which raises funds for people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. The theater, in turn, plans to donate to the LTM Heroin Awareness and Support Foundation in honor of the late Louie T. Miceli of Medinah, whom Onesti knew before the young man's heroin overdose death in 2012 at age 24.
As The Purple Xperience took the stage, fans roared with emotion and appreciation, glimpsing the essence of Prince - if not the artist himself.
"He was on my bucket list to see. Now I'll have the regret that I never got to," Ellis said. "This is the next closest thing."