John Legend and Sheila E. covered Prince’s music at the Democratic Party Convention on Wednesday as part of a tribute to vice presidential candidate Tim Walz.
Legend and Sheila E.’s collaboration on “Let’s Go Crazy” kicked off a final block of speeches that preceded the Minnesota governor’s keynote speech accepting the Democratic nomination for vice president.
Legend, a 12-time Grammy winner, sang “Nothing Compares 2 U” during a 2020 Grammy Awards tribute to the late Minnesota artist. In a video promoting 2022’s “The Voice,” he spoke about his admiration for the superstar.
“The first time I was thrilled was when I met Prince at an after-party after his performance at Madison Square Garden,” Legend said. “Who wouldn’t be thrilled to meet Prince?”
Sheila E., a close friend of Prince’s who frequently collaborated on his songs and was the opening act on the Purple Rain tour, recently complained that Paisley Park did not allow her to record in Studio B during an unannounced visit on June 7.
“I was in that place from start to finish,” she told the Star Tribune last month. “I recorded so much music there. I lived there at times. I slept there. My clothes were made there. My percussion and drums are there. I want my equipment back.”
The two are not the first musicians to perform at the Chicago Convention. Jason Isbell and Mickey Guyton sang on Monday, but James Taylor was canceled due to time constraints. CNN reports that Pink will perform on Thursday.
