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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 4-4:30a ET

Aired April 22, 2016 - 05:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[04:00:18] MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Mourning a music legend. Prince dead at the age of 57. New tributes and celebrations as investigators try to figure out what caused the superstar's death.

Good morning and welcome to EARLY START. I'm Miguel Marquez.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Christine Romans. It is Friday, April 22nd. It is 4:00 a.m. in the East.

Happening today: an autopsy to find out what killed music superstar Prince. All night long, around the world, especially in his home town in Minneapolis, fans are remembering, listening to his music and paying tribute to the artist 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 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)

MARQUEZ: Our thanks to Ryan Young. Meantime, just a few miles away in downtown Minneapolis, the nightclub where Prince filmed "Purple Rain", an all-night dance in his honor.

CNN's Kyung Lah is there.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

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. 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)

ROMANS: All right. Kyung Lah, thank you for that.

Let's talk about Prince's impact on music. Let's talk about his legacy this morning. Senior media correspondent Brian Stelter, the host of CNN's "RELIABLE SOURCES", joins us right now.

Brian, nice to see you this morning. One thing about a Prince, I think, when you talk to musicians from every genre, from country to funk to rock, I mean, any genre, and you ask who their influence is, all of them say Prince.

This is the guy who -- he wrote music for so many people. He influence so many people, and for those of us, Miguel and I, who grew up listening to his music as very young people in the 1980s, this is the guy who was the soundtrack for generation X.

BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. I think that is why his death is resonating in a way that few others do. Think about all the reactions from celebrities and artists right away. Everyone from Billy Idol to Justin Timberlake, from Katy Perry to Mick Jagger, you know?

That is a reflection of the way that Prince was able to span so many genres, create so many different kinds of music and innovate, again, in a way that few others did. He was able to remain relevant for so many decades, and continued to be right in the forefront of people's minds and people's hearts.

[04:05:06] And we see from the all night dance party that is still going in Minneapolis, that is so true this morning.

MARQUEZ: The pictures of the dance party are absolutely incredible. Thousands of people gathering out there to celebrate his life.

What is interesting about Prince is that he has always been there and in terms of the pop world, what is it that made this guy last so long? That he stayed relevant for so long in ways that one would not expect. He went against his record company, you know, becoming the artist formerly known as Prince, but still maintained a sort of central figure in the pop world.

STELTER: I think one of the interests is the music, about the creativity of the music, about playing so many instruments, and about using everything at his disposal to create songs.

But I would say another answer is he was able to be ahead of the curve, several times in his career. Think about the early 1980s, the advent of MTV. Prince's star was on the rise, but he hadn't made "Purple Rain" yet, the movie and, of course, the soundtrack. He started making music videos for MTV.

MTV, of course, needed at that time. The music video was being invented as a form. And he early on realized the power and the potential of music videos.

And then, of course, years later, the Internet is invented. The World Wide Web is born. And early on, Prince used it to connect with fan, but in his own way, always seeking control, always seeking freedom. He even experimented with a form of subscription service. Now we think of Spotify or Pandora nowadays.

He was experimenting and innovating with the kind of new platforms and new formats. Whether that was with instruments or with technology in order to reach his fans in new waves.

ROMANS: We talk about him as a businessman, too. Didn't he just buy his catalog? Hasn't he really proven to be an artist who was in control of his brand? Not necessarily the record companies in control of Prince.

STELTER: That's right. In 2004, he wants freedom to produce, freedom to play all instruments on my record, freedom to say anything I want to. A lot of the dynamics for him as a businessman were about control, and about having that kind of freedom.

He was media shy. He didn't give interviews often. When he did, he had a lot to say. He was media savvy.

And I do think it is notable, that we just found out last month, he was working on his first book. It's going to be a memoir. He was working on it with his brother.

It is unclear how much was written or if it will ever see the light of day. It wasn't supposed to come out until late 2017. But somehow, I just -- I wonder if he knew in the back of his mind, now it was time to put pen to paper, to start right down what his life experiences have been.

Of course, just at the age of 57, he has been taken away from the world far too soon.

MARQUEZ: Those words he spoke to his fans that gathered at his last event on Saturday. You know, "wait a few days before you say prayers for me" is just a shocking statement. It's almost as though this guy knew.

A real renaissance figure as well. This is somebody who kind of did everything.

STELTER: That's absolutely right. You think about the fact that the film "Purple Rain" won the Oscar for best original score back in the '80s. An early example of his mixing media and working in the movie genre, as well as music.

Of course, many critics would say the single best television live performance in history was Prince's Super Bowl performance in 2007. The halftime show to end all halftime shows. I think every other performer since then is just trying to somehow find a way to top Prince.

ROMANS: Brian Stelter for us this morning in Philadelphia, thank you so much for that, Brian.

You know, I was in my hometown last weekend. His private jet made an emergency landing in Moline, Illinois, at that airport, someone from that jet was taken to a hospital. So, a lot of people trying to piece together just what might have been going on those last days.

MARQUEZ: I'm sure that was big news in the Quad Cities.

ROMANS: It was the only news in Quad Cities. And there you go.

MARQUEZ: 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 showing her love of Prince from the campaign trail.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

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.

[04:10:03] 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)

ROMANS: The guy an institution in Minnesota, by the way.

MARQUEZ: Clearly. That party, it's amazing.

Both of Minnesota's 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."

ROMANS: All right. That's Prince on the stage with several music legend that is induction of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. One of his crowning achievements, Prince released 16 platinum albums over his career. Platinum is the industry certification for selling 1 million copies. He also won seven Grammy Awards and an Oscar for best original song for "Purple Rain."

He is back on top of the charts this morning. Check out the top five most downloaded songs in the iTunes store right now. "Purple Rain" is number one, followed by "Little Red Corvette," "When Doves Cry", "Kiss", and "Let's Go Crazy."

You can buy his music on iTunes but you won't be able to stream it unless you have a subscription to Tidal. That's that service started by Jay-Z. Prince dropped his deals with Spotify and Apple when he signed an exclusive deal with Tidal. It's one of the many business moves he made to control his brand and his music.

MARQUEZ: Now, is Donald Trump about to start sounding more presidential? New promises from his campaign to the Republican Party, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:15:52] MARQUEZ: Now, has it all been an act? Look for Donald Trump to adopt a more presidential demeanor in the days ahead. Trump's top advisers telling Republican leaders their candidate has been playing a part up until now and it's about to take a more serious tone for 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 contest in the Northeast.

We get more from CNN's senior White House correspondent Jim Acosta.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

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)

ROMANS: All right. Looking forward to. Thanks, Jim Acosta.

Ted Cruz campaigning into the night in Indiana. He is vowing to stay in the race all the way to the convention. The Texas senator shaking hands with voters at a south Indianapolis deli before meeting privately with Governor Mike Pence. But 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.

MARQUEZ: And Bernie Sanders launching attacks against Hillary Clinton. Just days after taking a beating in the New York primary, the Vermont senator focusing on Pennsylvania and its treasure trove of delegates to try to recapture some much needed momentum.

CNN's Ryan Nobles is with the Sanders campaign in Oaks, Pennsylvania.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

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.

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.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right. Ryan, thank you for that.

All right. President Obama in London urging Britain not to leave the European Union. The American president weighing in on British politics, that's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:24:10] ROMANS: In just hours, President Obama arrives in London. He will meet with the Prime Minister David Cameron. He will dine with the queen and other royals.

But he is there for much more than pleasantries. Right now, Britain is in the middle of a fierce debate over whether it should quit the European Union, something known as Brexit.

President Barack Obama is there to urge the U.K. to remain an E.U. member.

Joining us live from London with the very latest on the president's visit, CNN's Max Foster.

And, Max, how unusual is it for the president of the United States to so directly interfere and offer his opinion publicly on what the politics of England are?

MAX FOSTER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I have to say it is unusual. It is being taken in different ways here in the United Kingdom. It's a highly charged political debate, whether you're pro- European or anti-European, and he stepped right into that.

[04:25:09] And there's a lot of accusations of hypocrisy and interference on this.

This is a sovereign state. America has no say in it. So, why is the president getting involved?

What the president has done, he has written a piece in the daily telegraph today, largely giving his reasoning as to why he should get involved and why America has a stake in the debate. America fought in the Second World War and fought in the integration of Europe.

And so, he feels America does have a say in this. And Britain is in a way America's vehicle into the European Union. If Britain leaves the European Union, Britain is less powerful in the union, but so does America. So, he explains that today, saying very clearly, he thinks Britain should stay in and giving his reasons why.

That will be a big talking point on Downing Street when he meets with David Cameron and before that he has lunch with the queen, and maybe a topic of debate there as well, Christine. As you know, we never get any sense of those conversations. But very clear that she doesn't want to get involved in the politics.

ROMANS: Absolutely. So, that vote coming up in June. And for those who are arguing that England and Britain should leave the European Union. Their rationale is what?

FOSTER: Their rationale is a huge amount of money is paid into the European Union that could be used for hospitals and schools. There's a huger (ph) pressure on public services in the United Kingdom, but also fundamentally about sovereignty, which is why this is significant because the queen represents Britain's sovereignty, and Britain can survive on its own.

It doesn't have to be part of that club, also plays into this big debate we've had here about immigration and freedom of movement to people throughout Europe, many of them ending up in countries like United Kingdom, which Britain can't afford to house, according to them, but there are refugees, according to those, who feel that they should be allowed in.

ROMANS: What a fascinating, almost existential debate going on there right now, and the president weighing in. I know you will be watching all day.

Thank you so much for that, Max Foster at Windsor castle.

What a beautiful live shot.

MARQUEZ: It's not a bad place to be.

ROMANS: It's not gas station on 58th Street when I do --

MARQUEZ: As long as it's not raining.

Mourning an icon. Prince dead at the age of 57. New overnight tributes as questions around the surprise death of the music legend.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)