Streets were blocked off in a Minneapolis suburb for a Prince memorial on Sunday afternoon, but the singer’s remains were not there, nor was his closest surviving relative.
Hundreds were expected to show up to the 5 p.m. private event at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Minnetonka, where Prince, the pop star who died last month, knew many in the congregation. A reporter for the local Fox TV station identified one of the mourners as the comic Sinbad. A program tweeted online outlined a service that included prayers and songs as well as an interview with bassist Larry Graham, a Prince mentor.
But Prince’s sister, Tyke Nelson, who has been managing many of the affairs of his estate, said the family was not behind this service and she would not attend, nor would the singer’s remains be there. However, she wrote on social media that she supported “any and all” memorials and funerals. The family has indicated it will hold its own memorial for the late singer, possibly in August.
Fox TV reporter Ted Haller provided live tweets throughout the afternoon.
Consensus is that is Sinbad walking into #Prince memorial. pic.twitter.com/xioAIN2ERN
— Ted Haller (@TedHallerFox9) May 15, 2016
Traffic cones as far as the eye can see on street for #Prince memorial. pic.twitter.com/JNXCvVaAer
— Ted Haller (@TedHallerFox9) May 15, 2016
Here’s the program for #Prince memorial. pic.twitter.com/mxSlw26x4l
— Ted Haller (@TedHallerFox9) May 15, 2016
