Tributes to icon Prince pour in

A deluge of tributes came in from around the world on Friday following the sudden death at 57 of superstar Prince, with fans flocking to dance parties to celebrate the life of the "Purple Rain" music legend.

As authorities in the United States sought to shed light on the singer's death in an elevator at his home in Minnesota, several buildings and websites were colored purple in memory of the performer hailed by President Barack Obama as a "creative icon".

In his hometown of Minneapolis, a huge crowd gathered outside the First Avenue club, where Prince recorded the film version of Purple Rain, as well as outside the secluded compound where he was found dead on Thursday.