Since the dawn of time, the romance of railways has seduced poets, spellbound novelists, and dealt directors the perfect hand for capturing fleeting friendships, illicit affairs, and all manner of crimes and capers. A ticket is not just a permit to ride, it’s permission to trespass on the intimacies of other people’s lives. Trains bring us up close and personal—both inside and outside the carriage. On board, passengers chat politics in Finnish dining cars, clamber into couchettes above strangers on the Trans-Siberian, and share samosas on India’s many raucous mail trains. Outside, the world flashes by, a slideshow of rivers growing into oceans, deserts rising into mountains and cities sprawling then receding into darkness as the train thunders on through the night.
Pay homage to Prince at these 10 iconic US sites
14.09.2024 - 15:04 / lonelyplanet.com
Sep 13, 2024 • 5 min read
When Prince died in April 2016, we lost an icon and music lost one of its most creative and dynamic talents. Prince Rogers Nelson was utterly unique and his death at the (way too young) age of 57 left a void in the lives of his legions of fans and fellow musicians.
Though he will always be missed, he left behind a sensational back catalog and archive that is still referenced and celebrated by titans of the industry. His legacy also extends to numerous sites throughout his native and beloved Minneapolis and the wider US – from places he called home to venues he left his considerable mark on.
Dearly beloved, we have gathered here today to explore the ultimate sightseeing tour for Prince fans everywhere – grab your raspberry beret and let's go.
The ultimate pilgrimage point for any self-respecting Prince fan, this is quite literally the house that Prince built: a sprawling $10 million recording complex in suburban Minneapolis that opened its doors in 1987. Here he recorded some of his most iconic records: Sign O’ The Times, Diamonds and Pearls and, of course, the 1989 Batman soundtrack. It contains a recording studio and two rehearsal spaces that double as live venues.
Prince saw Paisley Park as his answer to Elvis’s Graceland. Since his death, it has been converted into a museum and shrine, and you can sense his presence as you wander through its corridors on a tour. Each April, to mark the anniversary of the singer’s death, Paisley Park hosts an annual Prince "Celebration", including performances by musicians who played with him, talks and other events (visit the official website for ticket info).
Located in north Minneapolis, The Capri opened its doors for the first time in 1927. But it was not until 1979 that this historic venue carved its place in the rock annals when Prince played his first solo show there. Choose one of the many exciting events, buy a ticket and imagine what it must have felt like when music fans gathered over 40 years ago, curious about the young local man shortly to make his first foray into rock ’n roll.
Downtown Minneapolis venue First Avenue achieved rock immortality when Prince filmed several key sequences at the club for his 1984 movie Purple Rain. Overnight it became an iconic location and is intimately bound up in the Prince story. First Avenue was paid $100,000 for the use of its space and closed for 25 days to accommodate filming. A silver star bearing Prince’s name is emblazoned on the wall outside, which, after his death, was painted gold. First Avenue continues to host live music events, with bands such as Parquet Courts, Snail Mail and This Is The Kit all passing through (tickets available via the official website).
The home in the movie Purple
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I lived and traveled abroad for 7 months using credit-card points. My stash of miles meant I barely had to pay anything out of pocket.
The idea to move from New Jersey to Buenos Aires came to me one afternoon while watching the Diego Maradona (famed Argentine soccer player) biopic series on Amazon Prime. I had only ever visited once before for a three-month backpacking trip, and I always knew I wanted to go back.
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