Let's take a moment to appreciate one of the world's true innovators - before the press start the inevitable process of reporting exactly how he came to pass at the young age of 57. 

Legends of stage and screen took to social media yesterday after the news broke of the icon's death in his hometown of Minnesota. 

Elton John led tributes via his Instagram, with this photo captioned: "This is truly devastating news. The greatest performer I have ever seen. A true genius. Musically way ahead of any of us. Sang with him twice on stage. What an honour. Rest in peace you purple warrior. #Prince #RIP"


Madonna posted: "He Changed The World!! A True Visionary. What a loss. I'm Devastated. This is Not A Love Song."


Justin Timberlake posted a lengthy tribute via Instagram, saying "Prince is somewhere within every song" that he's penned: "It was Raspberry Beret. I was 4 years old. Yes, 4. I remember that I instantly loved it. "Mommy, who is that singing?" Seems weird but it's true. More than a "once in a lifetime" artist... Just a ONCE IN FOREVER ARTIST. I'm still in shock as I write this and I feel this overwhelming grief. But, we should all turn away from that and HONOR this musician that changed all of our lives, our perspectives, our feeling, our whole being. From another planet? Probably. Royalty, for sure. Us worthy..? Laughable. They say don't meet your idols... That they let you down. But, some of my greatest, funniest (yes, he was hilarious), and most prolific encounters and conversations about music came from the moments that I spent with him. It would be silly to say that he has inspired our music... It's beyond that. He's somewhere within every song I've ever written. I am sad, but I will smile when I think of every second that I had the fortune of being in his company. We have lost our greatest living musician. But his music will never die. Prince, NOTHING COMPARES... #RIPPrince

Speaking via CNN, Stevie Wonder said: "As I find it so hard to believe, you know, in this journey of music, we as artists that sort of create the reflection of society and reflect the people that really wanted to see a better world, a better people, a unity of people, all those things, as did his music do, and will continue to do for those of us who will continue to listen to it–It’s a heartbreak to lose a member of that army of love.”

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Joan Jett said: ""I was very much a fan and very influenced by him," says the Blackhearts singer. "[I] got lucky enough to meet him right about the time 'Purple Rain' was happening. He was such a talent. [He was] completely unique... In my life, there’s been a lot of people going out lately and it’s just a strange part of life. I don't have words yet to describe it. It's a big loss."

Paul McCartney and countless others followed on twitter... 

Meanwhile, as people packed the streets of Harlem, LA and Minnesota to dance to his songs, tributes were paid in other ways... 

Prince was found "unresponsive" in a lift at his Paisley Park recording studio in Minnesota. There had been reports that he'd been suffering from the flu. An autopsy takes place later today.