Three miles from Paisley Park

Scott

This beards.org photo shoot with Scott took place three miles from Prince’s Paisley Park.  And I did not know it at the time.  What’s more is that I’d driven right by Paisley Park on the way to and from the photo shoot without even noticing it.  I was a visitor to the area.

Scott wanted a photo shoot at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.  He even sprang for the fee for the Arboretum’s photography permit.  It was a perfect location for a photo shoot.  Little did I know, however, that we were in Prince’s neighborhood.

Following the shock of Prince’s sudden passing this week, I was curious to learn more about his Paisley park studio and residence.  I was surprised to discover that it is right next to Arboretum Boulevard, the main route to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.   According to Google maps, it is a distance of three miles from Paisley Park to the Arboretum.

I never would have been considered to be a big Prince fan.  I liked “1999” and “Little Red Corvette” well enough to buy the album.  Apart from that, I was familiar with some of his music by hearing it played on the radio.  But I did not really follow him.

I never saw Prince with a beard.  I took notice when he appeared with surprisingly dense stubble, sculpted into designer shapes.  I would have liked to see him grow it all out at least once.

Now that he is suddenly gone, I’ve learned a lot more about him.  I admire his fierce independence as well as his extraordinary musical talent.  What really surprised and pleased me were the numerous accounts of the many ways he interacted with and remained a part of his hometown community.

I’ve gained a new appreciation for Prince and wish that I’d done so while he was still alive.  I’m sorry that I passed by his house twice in one day without even knowing it was there or that he might have been there.

Rest in peace, Prince Rogers Nelson.

5 thoughts on “Three miles from Paisley Park”

  1. Hi Scott., I still shocked by the death of Prince too,is incredible that he die,.i was a follower and I also have LP of the music of Prince ;Purple Rain and 1999 .
    RIP Prince now you’re king.

  2. Steve, Scott’s beard just gets better and better. I am really liking how his stache has developed as well. From some of the pics it appears that he has stopped shaving the neck as well. Hoping this means the beard is getting even longer!! It looks so good on him

  3. Thanks, Greg. Yes, his beard is definitely one of the all-time greats! That is so much more evident since he has grown it out substantially. Back at the time of his first photo shoot, he was hesitant to let it get much beyond the length of stubble. I’m glad that he considered my suggestion to let it grow out more than that!

  4. So am I. I also encouraged him after he joined another beard site I was on! Looks like it worked!

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