“NO ONE EXPECTED…” — Bruce Springsteen shocks fans by covering ‘Purple Rain’ in Prince’s hometown, turning tour opening night into a historic moment. Amid tens of thousands of fans in Minneapolis, Springsteen unexpectedly pulled Tom Morello onto the stage—and in just minutes, “Purple Rain” transformed from a cover into an emotional earthquake. The song, which has sold over 25 million copies worldwide and reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts, now resonated in Prince’s hometown—leaving the entire audience stunned before erupting in cheers, with many raising their phones and singing along in tears. No loud, unconventional moves—just guitar, vocals, and emotion—but it was precisely this simplicity that made the performance breathtaking and haunting. That moment proved one thing: this wasn’t just a cover… but a tribute that brought a legend back to life right on stage.
Bruce Springsteen Brings Out Tom Morello for “Purple Rain” Cover in Prince’s Hometown
Just a few days ago, Bruce Springsteen kicked off his Land of Hope & Dreams tour in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The tour is expected to take The Boss to states like Texas, Florida, Georgia, New York, Ohio, and several others. But when it came to the first show, which would set the standard for the rest of the tour, Springsteen offered fans an unforgettable cover of “Purple Rain.” And needing a little help, Springsteen called on the talents of Tom Morello.
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In June 1984, Prince released his sixth studio album, Purple Rain. Although the album came under scrutiny for its subject matter, it was a massive hit among fans. It peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 charts. Selling over 25 million copies worldwide, the album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Sadly, Prince passed away in April 2016 at 57.
Wanting to keep his spirit, artistry, and passion alive, Springsteen found the perfect moment to celebrate the icon. Born in 1958, Prince grew up around Minneapolis. With the city holding such a special place in the legacy of Prince, Springsteen made sure it felt personal. And with Morello by his side, the cover quickly turned into a powerful tribute.
Bruce Springsteen Talks About The Legendary Talent Of Prince
Aside from being a fan of Prince, Springsteen, like many others, mourned his death when news broke of his passing. Speaking with Rolling Stone, the singer insisted, “It was a terrible shame. It was a great loss and a tragedy. I felt a great kinship with Prince. And he was a guy, when I’d go to see him, I’d say, ‘Oh, man, OK, back to the drawing board.’”
Not only an entertainer, but Prince also encouraged those around him to explore their boundaries when it came to music. Springsteen added, “There was a film of him on the Arsenio Hall show, where he plays a series of songs in a row. It’s just some of the greatest showmanship I’ve ever seen. And he knew everything. He knew all about it, and then could put it to work.”
Even with Springsteen an icon himself, he was a student when compared to Prince. “He’s one of the greatest showmen to come along. I studied that stuff a lot and put as much of it to use as I can with my talents. But he just took it to another level.”
While a decade has passed since his death, moments like the one in Minneapolis proved that even in death, Prince continues to entertain, comfort, and inspire.
(Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)