Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan led the stars at the long-awaited tribute concert to Prince on Thursday night.
The star-studded show was held at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, with the singer’s family previously saying they hoped it would give fans some “closure” following Prince’s death in April.
Chaka delighted the audience as she brought Stevie out to duet with her on I Feel For You. The song was written by Prince but was a hit for Chaka back in 1984. Clearly enjoying himself, Stevie belted out the song and wowed the crowd with his signature harmonica skills before the pair performed one of Prince’s most beloved songs, 1999.
Tori Kelly, Doug E. Fresh and Jessie J were among the other musical stars at the concert, with the British singer a late addition to the line-up after Christina Aguilera cancelled her scheduled appearance at the event due to a “vocal illness”.
A representative for the singer broke the news just hours before the concert, saying that Christina “has been advised by her doctors not to perform due to a vocal illness she has been trying to shake all week.”
Her cancellation comes after John Mayer pulled out of the concert earlier this week due to a “change of schedule”, while singer Anita Baker also cancelled her appearance at the event shortly before it was due to begin. A reason for her decision is not known.
The concert was opened with a taped message from President Barack Obama, with St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman also present at the event, announcing that Thursday was “Prince Day” in the capital of Minnesota.
Several of Prince’s family and friends were present for the musical celebration, including his younger sister Tyka Nelson, ex-wife Mayte Garcia and close pals Morris Day & The Time, Judith Hill and Liv Warfield.
Nelson previously told the Associated Press that the family is considering the concert as a form of public memorial for Prince.
“I want them to get some closure,” Nelson told the Associated Press of Prince’s fans. “It takes time to kind of get over it, and I see that they are grief-stricken.”
Prince died aged 57 at his Paisley Park compound after an opioid overdose.
The set list:
America – Mint Condition
D.M.S.R. – Mint Condition
When Doves Cry – Mint Condition
The Bird – Morris Day and the Time
Jungle Love – Morris Day and the Time
Spoken tribute by Bobby Z
Uptown – André Cymone
Erotic City – Shelby J.
Hot Thing – Liv Warfield
Kiss – Marva King
Anotherloverholeinyohead – Kip Blackshire
For You – Tyka Nelson
Nasty Girl – Nicole Scherzinger
Baby, I’m a Star – Nicole Scherzinger
Do Me, Baby – Luke James
The Most Beautiful Girl in the World – Luke James
The Cross – Judith Hill
How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore – Judith Hill
The Ladder – André Cymone
Cream – Elisa Fiorillo Dease
Ballad of Dorothy Parker – André Cymone
Pop Life – Doug E. Fresh with André Cymone
Housequake – Doug E. Fresh
Walk in Sand – Ana Maura
Little Red Corvette – Ana Maura
Betcha – Chaka Khan
Sweet Thing – Chaka Khan
I Feel For You – Chaka Khan with Stevie Wonder
1999 – Chaka Khan with Stevie Wonder
Pretzelbodylogic – 3rdeyegirl with Shelby J
Plectrumelectrum – 3rdeyegirl
Wow – 3rdeyegirl with Liv Warfield
The Beautiful Ones – Bilal
If I Was Your Girlfriend – Bilal
Musicology – Shelby J
Dance performance by Mayte Garcia
Computer Blue – André Cymone
I Would Die 4 U – Marva King
Sexy M.F. – Tony Mosley
Gett Off – Doug E. Fresh
Sometimes It Snows in April – Elisa Fiorillo Dease
Girls & Boys – Marva King
She’s Always in My Hair – Kip Blackshire
Controversy – André Cymone
La Di Da Di – Doug E. Fresh
Let’s Go Crazy – Tori Kelly
Diamonds and Pearls – Tori Kelly
Take Me With You – Tori Kelly with Stevie Wonder
Raspberry Beret – Tori Kelly with Stevie Wonder
I Wanna Be Your Lover – Jessie J.
Nothing Compares 2 U – Jessie J. with Kip Blackshire
Someday We’ll All Be Free – Stevie Wonder
Superstition – Stevie Wonder
Instrumental jam
Purple Rain – Stevie Wonder
