I don't even know where to begin about this latest passing of yet another musical icon. Prince is dead. Even now several days later it hasn't really sunk in. But I know it's true. It just seems so not real. Losing Bowie last month was bad enough. But this? Nobody saw this coming. I mean nobody. Bowie had cancer. Prince had boundless energy.

His only ailment being his hips. But at his age (57) and the amount of abuse his hips took during numerous shows where he would leap down onto the stage wearing high heels. That would take it's toll for sure. But to cause his death?
No way. Not a chance.

They said he had a flu days before. Ok, we all get flues. They suck, but they don't normally kill you. I'm afraid there's something else. And it might not be what we want to hear. So rather than speculate, I'll blog about what I know of this true musical genius.



I saw Prince three times. Each time I saw him I knew I was seeing a true superstar who could do it all. Sing, dance, perform, and play that guitar as good as anybody. It's all true. The first time I saw him was in the early 80's. My friend David Robinson from the CARS and I drove to Rhode Island to see him and his opening act Morris Day and the Time. David and I were the only white guys in the section we were sitting. And we were sitting in great seats.

Hell we never sat. It was such a high energy show from both bands that we were up and dancing along with everyone else. We had a blast. And we both knew right then and there, that we were witnessing something special. We became instant fans. I was so impressed by what we saw, that I changed the whole concept of my band that David was producing at the time.

I knew I had to Funk It Up. And I did.

I was instantly influenced by Prince and Morris Day. Those were such exciting times for the music scene. The late 70's and into the 80's was a great time to be a fan and to be making music. But watching Prince live and on MTV and other live music shows, I could see his influences. And the more I watched and studied him, the more evident it became. Prince borrowed from the greatest artists of our time. James Brown, Little Richard, Stevie Wonder, and Jimi Hendrix. He was a mixture of all of them rolled up into one amazing ball of energy and talent.



During his interview on The Larry King Show he named Stevie Wonder as one of his main influences. Hearing Stevie speak the other day about his friend was very touching. It was obvious they had a mutual respect for each other.



And with me being a guitar player, and a fan of the greatest guitarists of the world, it is no secret that I look at Jimi Hendrix as the best guitar player of all time. Apparently so did Prince. You can hear the direct influences of his playing as he would channel Hendrix. I can't tell you how many times I would comment about his guitar playing that most people would overlook. He was that good.



Oh and if you have never seen the Dave Chappelle bit narrated by Charlie Murphy about the time Prince challenged Murphy and his crew to a game of Basketball at his compound, you need to see it. Google it. It is hilarious.



Prince was a good basketball player in High School and college.

The last time I saw him live was at the Centrum in Worcester, MA. Cory and I along with Whitey and his wife Deb had great seats, and we watched the 5'2" giant go through all the paces of a typical Prince Show. Dancing, singing, playing solo on his grand piano, and of course, his blistering guitar solos.

And I've said this before, and I'll say it again right here and now. The halftime show that Prince put on during the Superbowl in 2007 was by far the BEST halftime show I had ever seen during a superbowl. Not before and not since. Prince set the bar way up and quite possibly out of reach of all others. Don't even try to get to that level all you Beyonces, and Justin Timberlakes, out there. Forget about it.



And the most amazing thing of all was it was pouring rain. If you saw this performance you know of which I speak. Playing that guitar solo on Purple Rain in the pouring rain? My friends, you can't script that. That was an amazing performance under such dire conditions, and yet it all seemed totally planned and natural.



That's right in the pouring rain. A blistering guitar solo, that would now end up being one for the ages. I remember turning to my friend Tony Berardini and my son Max and saying "That was the BEST Superbowl show I have ever seen!" And I've seen my share of them believe me. The only one that comes close is the U2 show in 2002. The year the Patriots won their first superbowl.

But other than that? No one could top Prince. Not then. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever. He was one of a kind.

If you're thinking Bruno Mars is the next Prince, he had better learn how to play guitar, and piano, and drums, and every other instrument that Prince played before he even thinks about comparing himself to Prince.

Because, NOTHING COMPARES TO PRINCE.



Rest in Peace The Purple One. This is what it sounds like when fans cry.

"Surfing and Music Heals All Wounds"

I remember this day well. April 2013. I was out catching a few waves myself when i decided to swim out and get some water pics. None of my water pics are worth posting, but Ed? Ed got a few keepers that day. With this being one of them Hannah Vokey at the Wall.

To see more of Ed's pics just scroll through the archives. He has shot so many pics for the blog. Be sure and pick up a copy of the COLD COAST and check out Ed's own gallery.

Each week I will feature one of Ed's great pics from this blog. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.

On Tuesday April 26th, 2016 there's going to be a bevy
of talent coming to town. Mark it down on your calendars.



The name is legendary. Donald Takayama was Guy's uncle.
*Also at FLATBREAD that night is the ESA benefit!



*Also at FLATBREAD that night is the ESA benefit!


*ALSO at FLATBREAD that night is the ESA benefit!

Now for Some More Of My Weekly Global Observances
So the Donald has come out and said that he would have no problem with transgenders using whatever restroom they want. I'm sure that pissed off the GOP hardcores. Ted Cruz jumped on the issue to put Trump down, but Donnie held his ground on this North Carolina issue.



"Let them shit I mean sit wherever they want." Says the Donald." I have no problem with it."



Works for me. How about you?

KSM Photoshop of the Week
Now I could of told you that Ole KSM would not go for this.
Which is really funny because when you think about it, he's shared his bathrooms with camels.



As always... take advantage of this weekly photo shop of the mastermind who planned 9-11 and resulted in the deaths of 3,000 innocent civilians KSM (Khalid Sheik Mohammed).

*Note to self must pick up a case of air freshener at Home Depot this week.

REST IN PEACE PRINCE 1958-2016
Rest in Peace Jimmy Bateman. father of Pam Bateman Linseman, and grandfather to Kyle and Holly Linseman.

Please Pray for a NH Icon from the Seacoast. North Beach Matriarch Jane McCarthy is needing some love and prayers. Jane is the mother of Duffy McCarthy and the whole McCarthy clan. She's been a fixture on the Wall forever.
You all have seen her, you might not know her, but trust me, she has seen you all. And please continue to pray for local Hampton surfer Terry Morrison and his family.

Also please pray for Marine SSGT George Masten. A combat Marine who served in Korea and Vietnam. He was awarded the purple heart for wounds received in Vietnam in 1967. George is battling cancer.
PLEASE say a prayer for him.

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 11 years.
** BUY a HIGH RES Photo from any of the weeks on RPOTW.



Remember my friends... Surfing Heals All Wounds.
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.

Ralph






CLICK ON THE GRAPHIC ABOVE TO SEE EVERY
SINGLE WEEK FROM THE LAST 11 YEARS!

*Click on the photo above to see a larger version

(Above) This Gull Battle was all over a donut. They were like beach dragons screaming and batting their wings against each other, as they tried to bite the aggressive ones. Monday, April 18th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Matt Colby again. Monday, April 18th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) It appears that I favored Matt more than anyone else during this session.
Truth is Matt was getting all the waves and the wind was starting to come on. Monday, April 18th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) I was shooting mostly video during this four day swell. And if you click
on the FOUR DAYS video down in the video section you will see what I'm talking about. Monday, April 18th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Kyle Linseman dealing with a lot of emotions out there.
Kyle wears my mantra in the form of a tattoo. "Surfing Heals All Wounds"
Sunday April 17th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Stevie O'Hara in the pocket. Sunday April 17th, 2016
Photo by John Adams *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Surfing waves like this require all the speed you can muster.
Unknown jamming a cuttie on Sunday April 17th, 2016
Photo by John Adams *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery