Kasich: Prince ‘was an extraordinary musician’

Republican presidential candidate John Kasich on Thursday mourned the loss of pop superstar Prince.

“You know, I feel badly about the Prince [news],” he said during a press conference.

{mosads}“I never saw him in concert,” Kasich added. “That was a mistake for me not to have been able to follow him and see him in concert. He was an extraordinary musician. They say they have enough unrecorded music now to put out an album every year for a hundred years. Remarkable.”

Reports emerged on Thursday that Prince, 57, had been found dead in his home in suburban Minneapolis. Born Prince Rogers Nelson, the iconic musician released 39 albums throughout his career, winning seven Grammy Awards and receiving 30 nominations.

Prince also won an Oscar for his original song score for the film “Purple Rain.” He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

President Obama on Thursday said that Prince was a “creative icon” who “did it all” across a career spanning funk, R&B and rock and roll.

“Few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory of popular music more distinctly, or touched quite so many people with their talent,” Obama said in a statement.

“’A strong spirit transcends rules,’ Prince once said — and nobody’s spirit was stronger, bolder or more creative,” he added.

Prince’s death was strongly felt in Minnesota, where he maintained an active presence his entire life after his birth in Minneapolis in 1958. His recording studio Paisley Park was located in Chanhassen, Minn., a Twin Cities suburb, and he frequently hosted concerts there.

Minnesota state lawmakers reportedly paused for a moment of silence honoring Prince upon learning of his death.