With purple fashion and tears, fans celebrate Prince's life at LA City Hall

A portion of downtown Los Angeles tued a shade of purple Friday evening as devoted Prince fans wore the artist’s signature color and sang and danced.

Thousands of fans came from all over the Southland to celebrate Prince, who died on April 21 at his Paisley Park estate in Miesota. Many fans said they just wanted to be a part of the massive celebration.

“We just want to honor his memory, his life and just be here with everybody,” said Michelle Centeno, 50, of Whittier, who came to the concert with her sister and her cousin. Centeno has attended at least 10 Prince concerts.

“His music touched everybody; it doesn’t matter if you’re black, white or brown,” said Centeno’s sister Liza Jenkins, 42.

The crowd roared when doves were released from the stage as “When Doves Cry” was played.

Prince’s biggest hits kept coming from the loud speakers, including “Raspberry Beret,” “Let’s Go Crazy,” “1999” and “Kiss.”

Gilbert Aragon, 51, of East L.A. was dressed in a purple fur vest and leather gloves in tribute to Prince. He’s been a fan since he was 18.

“It’s the greatest thing you could do for him,” Aragon said of the concert.

Prince fans of all ages could be seen in the crowd.

Amber Baker brought her daughter Phoenix, 9, to the concert with other family members and friends.

“I still have heartache about it, so it feels good to be with other fans,” said Baker, 46, of Santa Monica. “He was such a big part of my youth.”

Baker said she has been playing Prince songs in the car since the singer died and her daughter has now become a fan. Phoenix and her friend Kayla Moody, 10, danced on the Grand Park lawn and sang along. During the song “Kiss,” they blew kisses.

Phoenix said her favorite song is “1999.” Kayla’s favorite is “Raspberry Beret.”

Hope Paulk wore purple eyeshadow and brought silver, purple and gold balloons, which she adoed with the symbol that Prince used as his name during a contractual battle with Waer Bros. She also made a T-shirt with the symbol.

“I needed to do my own memorial for Prince,” said Paulk, 51, of Woodland Hills.

Dorothy-Inez Deltufo arrived at Grand Park at 2u2009p.m., three hours before the show kicked off.

She said she went on two tours with Prince and first met him in the late 1980s.

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“Prince’s music is the backdrop to my life,” said Deltufo, 50, of Fullerton. “I just love Prince, and more than anything, it’s all about the music,” she added. “He did music in a way that no one else has or will in the future, and I’m just down with him for life.”