Five years after Prince's death shocked the world, fans returned to his Paisley Park home and recording studio on Wednesday to pay their respects.
On Wednesday, 1,400 people who held tickets for a free, private memorial honoring Prince were ushered through the studio's atrium.
"It was very impressive, all of the gold records, albums, bands, and artists on the wall," said Sarah Nelson of Bloomington. "There were gorgeous flowers set-up with his urn in the center to pay their respects to him."
Prince Rogers Nelson, 57, died on April 21, 2016 from an accidental fentanyl overdose. Fans from across the world flocked to places like First Avenue and Paisley Park to pay their respects.
Nick Garcia traveled from Texas with his wife to honor Prince on Wednesday.
"Prince, somehow, was magical," said Garcia.
Garcia attended 27 Prince concerts, including what would become Prince's final show at Paisley Park in January 2016.
"I've seen arena shows, stadiums, and small club venues, but nothing was like the January 2016 show," he said. "There weren't any props or anything. It was just Prince and his piano."
Prince's final concert came just seven days before his death.
"I was so close to going to that, but I figured he was going to come to Texas...I really figured," Garcia said as he held back tears.
Fans laid flowers around Prince's 'Love Symbol' which stands just outside the front door of Paisley Park. Others parked their cars along Arboretum Boulevard to hang signs, flowers, and mementos as tributes.
"Last year, I was supposed to come out here for my birthday before the COVID-19 pandemic," said Sylvia Williams, who traveled from New York. "This year I decided that I was going to make it."
Williams said it was Prince's love for music and people that drew her to become a fan in 1982.
"I've been following him ever since and this is something that I had to come out and see," said Williams.
Fans were able to write messages to the late musician on large pieces of paper that were sprawled out across tables. Some wrote, 'God Bless Sweet Man' while other wrote 'Prince I Miss U and Luv U Forever.'
"He was a people person and expressed that through his music," Williams said. "If anyone listens to his music, they know that it's all about love and unity. He always wanted unity and that's why I've followed him for so long."
