Real Talent Never Dies

In the death of an icon, we can see how real talent lives on.

 

Today is one of those days that kind of creeps up on you.  It starts just like any other day, and then includes the loss of an iconic figure.

Incomparable pop star Prince has died.

To call Prince iconic is perhaps not generous enough.  After all, the guy actually changed his name to an icon for a while.

That’s beside the point.  And, yes, I’m hoping to make a point here…

It’s this:  Real talent never dies.

Prince’s exceptional talents brought joy to millions of people over decades.  He pushed the boundaries of pop music; and he did so with an impressive style.  His talent was, to put it mildly, transcendent.

And that’s the thing.  Prince’s talents are still with us.  They have just been passed on to innumerable talented performers who are to this day riffing on the style and substance of Prince’s repertoire.

I think that if we look at performers in the world–whether it be in music, theater, or business–the really talented ones…the ones with a capital ‘T’ in their talent, contribute to a body of thought, action, and art that transcends their short stay on the earth.

Think about Mozart…

…or Beethoven…

…or Bach…

…or Shakespeare…

…or Poe…

…or Picasso…

…or for that matter Rockefeller, Ford, Morgan, and maybe even Jobs.

They are gone and here at the same time. Each has left pieces that have been picked up and appreciated by others.  They have left behind techniques, styles, and visions–crumbs of talent that lead others to a higher plane.

So did Prince.

Real talent never dies.  It leaves the world better off.  It brings others to a higher plane.  Perhaps we should all aspire to such things, but some of us actually get there.

So long, Prince.  I guess this is what it really sounds like when doves cry.

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