At ABC’s Times Square studios, the video boards outside Good Morning America were purple Friday morning, as network morning shows devoted extensive coverage to the death of Prince, the iconic pop star who died Thursday.
Here’s how GMA opened the morning, devoting the entire top of the broadcast to the legendary star:
WATCH: Today we're remembering a legend – #Prince. https://t.co/nYx7N3bhpK
Advertisement— Good Morning America (@GMA) April 22, 2016
Later in the morning, the Harlem Gospel Choir performed a tribute to Prince outside the studios.
At NBC’s Today, the video boards facing the plaza were also turned purple, as was the Orange room–transformed into the “Purple Room” to honor Prince, with hosts sharing celebrity tweets about the icon, and viewers’ favorite Prince songs.
Prince made a number of visits–including some surprise appearances–at Today over the years, including on Bryant Gumbel‘s last day on the program, when Prince appeared–dressed as Gumbel in suit and glasses–and performed for him:
One of our favorite moments on TODAY… Prince surprising Bryant Gumbel on his last day in 1997:https://t.co/DUeTLuJZVy
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) April 22, 2016
At CBS This Morning, co-hosts Charlie Rose and Gayle King wore purple and shared personal reflections on the star’s life and work. “Prince was a self-taught genius who created his own rules,” said Rose.
Norah O’Donnell added, “he was one of the most daring artists of his era.”
Later, Stevie Wonder performed Purple Rain in tribute:
WATCH: Stevie Wonder's emotional musical tribute to his dear friend #Prince https://t.co/nCWiWuAt8thttps://t.co/ze9KVuBJja
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) April 22, 2016