President Obama: Prince Was 'Creative Icon'

President Barack Obama joined in the mourning of pop icon Prince Thursday.

"Today, the world lost a creative icon," the President said. "Michelle and I join millions of fans from around the world in mourning the sudden death of Prince. Few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory of popular music more distinctly, or touched quite so many people with their talent. As one of the most gifted and prolific musicians of our time, Prince did it all. Funk. R&B. Rock and roll. He was a virtuoso instrumentalist, a brilliant bandleader, and an electrifying performer."

"'A strong spirit transcends rules,' Prince once said – and nobody's spirit was stronger, bolder, or more creative. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his band, and all who loved him.”

"An iconic Minnesotan, Prince got his start in Mpls & shared his talent w/ the world. Take a moment to remember him: http://bit.ly/1WfK229," tweeted Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.).

John Eggerton

Contributing editor John Eggerton has been an editor and/or writer on media regulation, legislation and policy for over four decades, including covering the FCC, FTC, Congress, the major media trade associations, and the federal courts. In addition to Multichannel News and Broadcasting + Cable, his work has appeared in Radio World, TV Technology, TV Fax, This Week in Consumer Electronics, Variety and the Encyclopedia Britannica.