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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Music Icon Prince Dead at 57: Overnight Tributes; Trump to Adopt More "Presidential" Demeanor; Sanders Renews Attacks on Clinton; Obama Urges Britain to Stay in E.U. Aired 4:30-5a ET
Aired April 22, 2016 - 04:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[04:31:39] CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Celebrating the life and music of Prince. The music icon dead at the age of 57. All tributes and memorials, and new questions surrounding his morning surrounding his sudden death.
Welcome back to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Miguel Marquez. It is 31 minutes past the hour.
Happening today, an autopsy to find out what killed music superstar Prince. All night long, around the world, and especially in his hometown of Minneapolis, fans are remembering and listening to music and paying tribute to the artist now and forever known as Prince. This morning, what we're learning new about his death and how fans are celebrating his life.
Ryan Young joins us from his Paisley Park estates and studios.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RYAN YOUNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Christine and Miguel, if you look behind me, you can see some of the people who decided to show up here to Paisley Park. We have seen hundreds if not thousands of people standing here at the fence line paying their respects to Prince.
In fact, we have seen several talking amongst themselves just about how this could happen to the 57-year-old.
A couple stars have been walking amongst the crowd here. One talking to me saying he didn't want people to know he was here, but he wanted to pay his respects to an artist and a man who meant so much to the community. Far beyond what people may actually know in terms of what he's done for other people.
One of the things we do know is that Prince was found here around 9:40 in the morning. He was found unresponsive in the elevator. There was a 911 call, and those transcripts show that apparently there was some trouble getting responsive because the person calling 911 did not know the address to this location. Once EMS arrived and tried to do CPR, he was unresponsive and was pronounced dead here on CNN.
An autopsy will happen on Friday, and people are hoping and clamoring, hopefully for more information about what happened to Prince. But that may not happen as quickly as you may want it to happen. All across the city, all across the world, people have been paying their respects to Prince and that will continue over the next few days.
Back to you, guys.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: All right. Ryan Young, thank you for that.
Now, look at those pictures. This is in downtown Minneapolis at the nightclub where Prince filmed "Purple Rain." This is an all night dance party. We're told it's still going on. This all-night dance party in his honor.
CNN's Kyung Lah is there for us.
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KYUNG LAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Christine and Miguel, it seems all of Minneapolis has come out to pay respects to Prince in the only way he would want. A celebration of his music outside of the very club that he helped put on the map. This is the First Avenue Club.
And what you are seeing outside is an enormous crowd. Hundreds of people and they're packing the street out here in downtown Minneapolis. They are actually waiting to get in. The doors have opened.
This is an all night into the early morning dance party. We can hear his music blaring in the club. There is no charge. Everyone is being allowed to dance the night and day away to Prince's songs.
And what we see outside the club, flowers and personal notes, they've been dropped here throughout the day. People walking through rain to leave some remembrances and notes about what various songs meant for them.
For this city, he's more than just a musician. He's more than just a star.
[04:35:01] Prince is someone who never gave up on this town. He is their favorite son. He is a musician that helped unite the city in the 1980s and continued until today -- Christine, Miguel.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MARQUEZ: Kyung Lah for us in, Minneapolis. Amazing, amazing how big that dance party is.
ROMANS: Those pictures are just remarkable.
MARQUEZ: It's very cool.
Joining us to discuss Prince's impact on music and his legacy, senior media correspondent Brian Stelter, host of CNN's "RELIABLE SOURCES".
Good morning to you there, Brian.
BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.
MARQUEZ: I'm having a hard time coming up with describe this man. Renaissance man. Two words. Iconoclast. Help me out.
STELTER: I was going to say iconoclast, but I'd also say, pop music genius, you know, in terms of what he brought to the world and to the musical stage. I think that all-night dance party is turning into an all-morning dance party in Minneapolis.
And I've been struck by the tributes we have seen in other parts of the country. You know, I'm in Philadelphia. Last night, there was a random pop-up run. Dozens of people running through the streets playing Prince music. And, of course, when you get into a car, anywhere across the country, you turn on the radio, you're hearing Prince music. There's a lot of marathons by radio stations in many cities.
We have seen buildings turning purple. New Orleans, the Superdome bathed in purple overnight. Buildings in San Francisco, Portland, Boston, other places all lit up. Even Stephen Colbert's set on "The Late Show" it was lit up in purple.
And it was interesting to see all those various tributes. I was watching a video from the hit show "Hamilton" on Broadway. Lin- Emanuel Miranda bringing the cast out for a dance party on stage honoring Prince. So, we're seeing so much of that, and as Ryan mentioned, I think we'll continue to see it for the days to come.
ROMANS: You used the word innovator to describe him earlier, music industry innovator. And I think that is such a great word because when you look at some of those early videos and early days of MTV, here's a guy who before the internet and when the Internet was born, here's a guy who managed to get his music to as many people as possible. He was meticulous about what he was producing and how he was getting it to his fans.
Even just a couple of years ago, he regained control of his catalog. This morning, Brian, a lot of people are asking what kind of unfinished music was there? Will there be more from this amazing musician in the future?
STELTER: I have been thinking about that. The answer is there will be much more.
The details about this are sketchy. He didn't talk a lot about this vault. There is literally a vault of unreleased songs from the many years Prince was making music.
It's unclear what the conditions are about how the songs are released or when they could be released. But potentially, wee could be seeing and we'll be hearing music from Prince for literally decades to come. Interesting to see how his family and how his estate handles that music going forward.
You mention MTV. It was notable that MTV stopped what it was doing and started playing Prince music videos. That only happened a couple of other times in MTV's history. Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston are the only two times that come to my mind.
But MTV interrupting programming and play music videos to play tribute to Prince. Early on, in the 1980s, when MTV was born, there was controversy whether the network was discriminating against black artists, whether it was playing white artists songs and not black artists' music videos.
So, Prince was one of the first to breakthrough, to get on to MTV and actually raise the profile of MTV by having remarkable or must-see TV music videos and then to release "Purple Rain" as a film even elevated his star even higher, again using media, using television and film to raise his profile.
MARQUEZ: But this was a guy who in his heart and soul was an artist in every sense of the word. He could play -- his ability to play so many instruments and orchestrate his own music and then write songs for other people on the side. It boggles the mind how talented he was.
STELTER: We're in this period where, I'm not going to name names, but we all know there are a lot of cookie cutter artists out there. Artist is not the right word. Musicians who are not merely as versatile as the person we're talking about.
ROMANS: Maybe musician is not the right word, Brian.
STELTER: That is right. We can go down to Spotify and Apple music list and we can a lot of those stars. They are stars, but they're not really artists.
One of the reasons why Prince's death has been so shocking and so numbing, and while we're seeing such an outpouring of emotion is because he did have all of the elements that truly represented artistry.
[04:40:06] ROMANS: He could write the music. He could sing the music. He could play the music. And he knew --
MARQUEZ: He played all the instruments.
ROMANS: Right. And he knew what his fans wanted before they wanted it.
STELTER: You know, in some cases, he even came up with new instruments to use. New kinds of technology in order to perform. If they didn't exist, he would invest with drums and electronic instruments. So, he was always trying to figure out a new way to create a new kind of sound that we would all have to hear.
ROMANS: Such a loss.
MARQUEZ: Just incredible. That's amazing.
ROMANS: Brian Stelter, thank you for that, Brian.
MARQUEZ: Brian, thank you.
Prince's death reaching around the world and drawing reaction from political leaders.
President Obama saying in a statement, "Few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory of popular music more distinctively, or touched quite so many with their talent. As one of the most gifted and prolific musicians of our time, Prince did it all. Funk. R&B. Rock and roll. He was a virtuoso, instrumentalist, a brilliant band leader, and an electrifying performer."
Hillary Clinton sharing her love of Prince from the campaign trail.
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HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I was so stunned. You know, think of him as being almost eternal. He was a bigger than life personality. He was not only a songwriter and a singer, but literally a one-man band.
He was such a great showman. I was so sad and I just want everybody to, you know, spend some time reflecting on this American original.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
MARQUEZ: Both of Minnesota senators paid tribute on Twitter. Al Franken wrote, "From First Avenue to the world stage, Prince was a Minnesotan who exemplified what it meant to be a true visionary."
And Senator Amy Klobuchar tweeted, "Heartbroken to hear Prince has died. Hope he's found his world of never ending happiness. You can always see the sun, day or night."
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ROMANS: All right. Forty-two minutes past the hour. Time for an early start on your money this Friday morning.
Dow futures, you can see barely moving here. Oil is up. European stock markets are down. Shares in Asia finishing mixed overnight.
New this morning, Uber surviving a threat to the business model. Uber reached a settlement to pay out as much as $100 million to drivers in California and Massachusetts. From now on, they will be designated as contract workers in those states. They had sued to become employees.
Uber will create drivers associations and talks to management, plus follow transparency guidelines communicating with workers, especially regarding disciplinary actions, drivers ratings, firings, and it will let drivers post signs saying tipping is not included, but is appreciated. The settlement must be approved by a judge.
MARQUEZ: The dangers of being a disruptive --
ROMANS: Yes.
MARQUEZ: Disruptor, yes?
ROMANS: Yes.
MARQUEZ: The dangers of disruption.
Is Donald Trump about to get a makeover to his image? Friendlier? Calmer? More presidential? What his top campaign advisers are promising the Republican Party, coming up.
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[04:47:16] ROMANS: So, has it all been an act? A primary persona? Look for Donald Trump to adopt a more presidential demeanor in the days ahead. Trump's top advisers telling Republican Party leaders their candidate has been playing a part up until now. He is about to take a more serious tone the rest of the way.
Trump is also apparently prepared to fundraise for the RNC. For now, he is hitting the campaign trail ahead of next week's super Tuesday in the Northeast.
For more, let's go to senior White House correspondent Jim Acosta.
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JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Miguel and Christine, Trump is calling on rivals Ted Cruz and John Kasich to drop their bids for the White House. At the rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Trump ratcheted up the pressure on Cruz and Kasich, again making the case that his remaining opponents are mathematically eliminated from the battle for the GOP nomination.
And here's core of what he had to say.
DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Cruz and Kasich have no path to victory. It's over. It's over.
Now, Cruz -- Cruz said Kasich should get out because he has no path. I mean, not even close. He's won one out of 38. Well, Cruz has won, what, 10 or 11. I've won 22 or 23, millions of votes ahead. I think they both should get out. What are they doing?
ACOSTA: Trump is all but dropped the softened tone he adopted earlier this week after he won the New York primary. He was back to calling Cruz here "Lyin' Ted, and added that people don't know who Kasich is.
The GOP frontrunner declared the Bernie Sanders' candidacy over as well and added he wants to run against Hillary Clinton, once again giving her the nickname "Crooked Hillary".
Despite that tougher tone, Trump will try to show off his more serious side next week with the planned speech on foreign policy on April 27th -- Miguel and Christine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MARQUEZ: Thanks to Jim Acosta.
Ted Cruz campaigning deep into the night in Indiana. He's vowing to stay in the race to the convention. The Texas senator shaking hands with voters at a south Indianapolis deli before meeting privately with Governor Mike Pence. He was unable to get an endorsement. Pence is telling reporters he is for anyone not named Clinton or Sanders.
Meanwhile, John Kasich is canvassing delegate rich Pennsylvania for votes. He too is dismissing calls to get out of the race.
ROMANS: Bernie Sanders launching new round of attacks against Hillary Clinton just days after taking a beating from her in the New York primary. The Vermont senator focusing on Pennsylvania and its treasure trove of delegates. He is trying to recapture much-needed momentum.
CNN's Ryan Nobles is with the Sanders campaign for us in Oaks, Pennsylvania.
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RYAN NOBLES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Miguel and Christine, despite Hillary Clinton's major win in the New York primary, not much has changed in the Democratic race for president.
[04:50:01] Bernie Sanders continues his intense campaign schedule and his attacks on Secretary Clinton. Sanders held three events on Thursday. At each event, he found opportunities to attack Clinton, talking about her fundraising techniques, her ties to Wall Street, and her unwillingness to think big.
Now, Clinton would like Sanders to think about unifying the Democratic Party, but judging by the way Sanders talked on the campaign trail on Thursday, he feels much differently.
SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT), DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: What American politics is about today is candidates running around sitting in mansions of billionaires, listening to the terrible problems that the billionaire class has. Oh my God. I mean, how can you possibly make it on $5 billion right now? These are really tough times.
NOBLES: Both of the campaigns will continue their focus on Pennsylvania on Friday. Bernie Sanders will hold three events here. Clinton will return to the birth place of her father, Scranton, Pennsylvania -- Miguel and Christine.
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MARQUEZ: Thanks, Ryan Nobles.
The state of North Carolina is in jeopardy of losing the 2017 NBA all-star game because of its new law critics say is anti-LGBT. NBA commissioner Adam Silver announcing the law must be changed in order for the game to be played in Charlotte. The measure requires transgender citizens to use public restrooms corresponding with the sex on their birth certificates. Silver says there is no timeline for a final decision yet.
ROMANS: All right. Chicago Cubs ace Jake Arrieta throwing the first no hitter of the baseball season and second of his career. Last year's Cy Young Award winner striking out six Cincinnati Reds. He is 4-0 on the season with an earned run after below 1.00. Wow!
MARQUEZ: Amazing.
ROMANS: Wow. A great start for him.
All right. The Dow struggled yesterday. Back below 18,000. Are more losses on the way? We get an early start on your money next.
MARQUEZ: You're going to tell us.
ROMANS: I'm going to tell you.
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[04:56:15] MARQUEZ: This morning, President Obama is in London. He meets today with Prime Minister David Cameron, dines with the queen and other royals.
But he's there for much more than pleasantries. Right now, Britain is in the middle of a fiercely polarizing debate over whether to quit the European Union. President Obama is there to urge the U.K. to remain an E.U. member.
Joining us live for the latest on the president's visit is CNN's Max Foster.
Max, the Brexit, the British exit, he is urging them to stay in the European Union. Is that like to help?
MAX FOSTER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it certainly sparked fierce debate because it's highly politicized. You've got two official campaigns campaigning to say in or out of the European Union.
British Prime Minister David Cameron firmly campaigning and leaving the campaign for Britain to stay within the European Union. President Barack Obama is coming in and effectively backing him, being very clear about his reason why. That is America fought in World War II to protect Europe, to integrate Europe, and to create a new Europe which would continue.
And effectively, he is accusing Britain, America's greatest ally within Europe, of breaking that system down. And it's a key plank of American foreign policy. So, he stepped into the debate and that caused furious sort of comments of hypocrisy and intervention from other leading politicians in the U.K., saying America has no right to step into this debate. It's a British issue. There will be a referendum and America won't have a say in that.
I'd also pointing out that America would never accept the freedom of movement of people, for example, between Mexico and Canada and the U.S. So, there's hypocrisy there.
MARQUEZ: Absolutely fascinating situation. It is interesting to see if his visit and what he wants moves that needle at all.
Max Foster for us at the Windsor Castle -- beautiful Windsor Castle. Thank you.
ROMANS: Beautiful Windsor Castle.
All right. Let's get an early start on your money this morning. Stock futures higher this morning after a down day for the averages yesterday. Oil is rising. Stock markets in Europe and Asia are mixed.
Weekly jobless claims hit a 42-year low. What are weekly jobless claims? It's a measure of the number of people who sign up for unemployment each week for the first time, 42-year low, 247,000 Americans lined up for the first time last week. The lowest reported by the Labor Department since November 1973.
We're watching shares of United Continental this morning. The airline stock fell 10 percent yesterday after reporting a 38 percent drop in profit and giving an unimpressive forecast, struggling to boost revenue with the cheap fuel prices. United is also in the midst of negotiating new contracts with its flight attendants and its machinists union.
And it's dealing with significant leadership challenges. United's former CEO stepped down last September. Then, its current CEO was named to the job, Oscar Munoz, he took over and he had a heart attack and subsequently received a heart transplant. He returned to work last month.
All right. Microsoft and Google's parent company Alphabet, those two companies took a big earning hit because of the strong U.S. dollar. Microsoft says profits fell 25 percent in the first quarter. It blamed on higher tax rates, as well as strong dollar, which makes U.S. goods more expensive overseas and could weaken demand.
Revenue dropped 5.5 percent, the stock sinking 5 percent pre- market. That will be ugly. Microsoft is a widely held stock. It might be in your 401k.
Google's parent company badly missed Wall Street forecasts. If the dollar value had been lower, it would have crushed those estimates. But the strong dollar hurting Alphabet.
That stock, you might have in your portfolio, too, is down 6 percent in the early going here today. So, we will watch and see what happens when the opening bell rings.
