Prince gets a gold star at First Ave

Prince has gotten every schoolkid's dream: a gold star.

This one adorns the outside of First Avenue, the Minneapolis venue that was featured in the music icon's movie "Purple Rain." The building was also the site of a huge memorial dance party the weekend after his death.

Scores of stars adorn the outer walls of First Ave, each honoring a person or act that performed at the site. Around each name is a star, uniform silver with black text. But the star symbolizing Prince has taken on a golden hue.

But, no one knows who did it. And First Ave isn't talking about it. The color was added overnight Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning.

The change came ahead of a Wednesday nationwide radio simulcast of Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 U," which starts, "It's been 7 hours and 13 days."

The broadcast began at 5:07 p.m., 7 hours and 13 days after Prince was pronounced dead at his Chanhassen home, Paisley Park.

Ben Farniok is a University of Minnesota student on assignment for the Star Tribune.