CLOSE friend Sheena Easton has led a parade of star tributes to Prince, the legendary, enigmatic and influential pop star who has died at the age of 57.
The 80s pop queen from Glasgow, once famously romantically linked with the global superstar, said: "It is impossible to imagine him not being here."
The pioneer of American music died at his Paisley Park studio in Minnesota, the state where he was born and raised.
Medics found the seven-time Grammy award winning singer unresponsive in an elevator at his Paisley Park studios and were unable to revive him, a local sheriff said.
The death of the singer, comes days after he was rushed to hospital on April 15 with a severe bout of flu, after taking a turn for the worse on his private jet after several weeks fighting the virus.
But the following day, he is said to have wanted to give fans "living proof" he was OK and made an appearance at a $10 dance party in Minnesota.
He didn't sing, but he did tell the crowd: 'Wait a few days before you waste any prayers.'
It is understood two shows in Atlanta were cancelled because of the illness.
The cause of his death is not known, but in a call to paramedics on the way to Prince's home, a 911 dispatcher said: 'Male down, not breathing.'
The prolific singer, songwriter, arranger and instrumentalist was widely acclaimed as one of the most inventive and creative musicians of his era, drawing upon influences ranging from James Brown to the Beatles to Jimi Hendrix with innovative albums such as Purple Rain and Sign O' The Times and enduring hits such as When Doves Cry, Kiss and Let's Go Crazy.
He created what became known as the Minneapolis sound, a funky blend of pop, soul, synth and new wave, laying a template that the likes of Pharrell Williams and Beyoncé would follow.
Rumours of a romance between Sheena Easton and Prince persisted when they collaborated on hits such as U Got The Look, Sugar Walls and 101 in the 1980s and the Bellshill-born singer has always been coy when asked about it.
But the 56-year-old Bellshill-born singer, who got her break in one of Britain's first reality shows, the Esther Rantzen-led The Big Time in 1981 was not bashful about expressing her sadness at the passing of her friend and colleague.
She said: "The world of music was forever changed the day he picked up his guitar. His talent was breathtaking, his heart was kind, and all of us have been blessed to have had a glimpse into this sweet and magical soul."
Other famous names in the world of Scottish pop culture have added their voices to the many grieving over Prince Rogers Nelson death.
Even First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was compelled to post a video on Twitter of Prince playing the classic Purple Rain live and said: "RIP #Prince - another legend gone too soon."
Jim Kerr of Simple Minds said he had seen Prince perform more than 10 times adding: "Mostly he was mesmerising."
He added: "Like so many others I will certainly miss seeing him - but I will never stop listening to his huge body of work - his music! That is the gift that the greats leave behind."
Ricky Ross of Deacon Blue said: "When Prince played (the) Brits I sat my family down and said, 'Listen and watch.' We've lost the biggest talent I ever saw perform live."
Scots rockers Biffy Clyro used just one word: "Legend!"
Glasgow electropop band Chvrches tweeted: "RIP His Purple Majesty. Thank you for everything."
Even executives at Scotland's most famous venues had to doff their hats to the performer.
The diminutive purple one was reportedly set to return to Scotland as part of a stripped-back tour of the UK and Europe in November, last year, but the shows never materialised.
The news came a year and a half after Prince fans turned the SSE Hydro purple when as he wowed the Glasgow audience in a sell-out show, the first in the city since 1995.
And executives at the SSE Hydro, saw fit to doff their hats to the performer, tweeting a picture of the day the venue turned purple in his honour and adding: "One of the true greats, a purple legend. RIP Prince."
Prince made what is thought to have been his final public appearance on Saturday at a dance party in Minnesota.
An intensely private person, he sold more than 100 million records during his career, won seven Grammy awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
Madonna added her voice to the host of celebrity tributes, sharing a photo of herself and the Little Red Corvette singer both wearing matching yellow jackets.
He Changed The World!! A True Visionary. What a loss. I'm Devastated. This is Not A Love Song. pic.twitter.com/x4JaSxRraC
— Madonna (@Madonna) April 21, 2016
Mariah Carey, who joined Prince on stage at the Apollo Theatre to pay tribute to Patti LaBelle in June 2009, described him as a "genius, legend, inspiration and friend" and added that she would 'never get over' his death.
Justin Timberlake tweeted: "Numb. Stunned. This can't be real."
Katy Perry added: "And just like that... the world lost a lot of magic. Rest in peace Prince! Thanks for giving us so much..."
Director Spike Lee tweeted: 'I Miss My Brother. Prince Was A Funny Cat. Great Sense Of Humor.'
Boy George said: "Today is the worst day ever. Prince R.I.P I am crying!"
When Doves Cry
Let's Go Crazy Live
Purple Rain Live
Sign O' The Times
Little Red Corvette
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