On April 21, it’ll mark 10 years since the music legend that is Prince left this Earth. His death, while a decade old, is one that still leaves a fresh sting whenever it’s talked about as his love for music, one-of-a-kind sounds went far beyond people’s eardrums and instead landed in their hearts and souls.
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But while it may be a tough subject for folks to talk about, it’s still something that deserves a deeper look. So, to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of his death, let’s take a look back on Prince’s life and light that was gone far too soon.
The Early Days
Born Prince Rogers Nelson in Minneapolis, Prince showed musical genius early, teaching himself multiple instruments as a child. By the time he was in his late teens, he had secured a record deal and was already producing his own music—an almost unheard-of level of control at the time. From his early work like “Wouldn’t You Love to Love Me” in 1976 it quickly became clear that he was a budding musical force to be reckoned with.
The Impact
By the time “Purple Rain” hit the airwaves in 1984, it was evident that he was an artist and this was an album unlike any other. The album nearly seamlessly blended sensuality, sexuality, and spirituality all in one nine-song-long body of work that went on to become his magnum opus and a barometer that all artists after him would measure themselves up against.
A Former Bandmate Notices Early Signs of Potential Health Problems
Fast forward over three decades later, in the months leading up to Prince’s death, his close friend and former bass guitar player “BrownMark” recently revealed some interesting and off-putting information about the music icon. Specifically, BrownMark said that the “When Doves Cry” singer was exhibiting “weird” behavior, describing how he was “allegedly showing signs of confusion, forgetting conversations and abruptly canceling plans.”
The Early Signs With His Health
Sadly, despite Prince’s immortal status—he was still a man and subject to what many men have to deal with sometimes: health issues. Those issues would start to spring up to a noticeable degree in April 2016 when he had allegedly fallen ill with the flu and canceled two shows in Atlanta. About a week later, he made up for the shows and sang flawlessly per AP, but his voice was noticeably weaker.
The Week of His Death
On April 14, 2016, Prince became sick while on a flight back home to Minneapolis. Due to his illness, they made an emergency landing in Moline, Illinois. He was found unconscious on the plane and it was reported at the time that he had allegedly been given “two doses of naloxone, an antidote used to reverse suspected opioid overdoses.” However, though he was hospitalized, Prince refused to get treatment and wound up going home. Two days later, he hosted a party at his Paisley Park home and joked to the crowd that they needed to “wait a few days before you waste any prayers.”
The Shocking News
The day before Prince’s death, he was seen by his primary care physician, Dr. Michael Schulenberg who was there to see the singer about some pain in his hip. After getting a prescription, Prince’s friend Kirk Johnson went to a Walgreens to pick the medication up, noting in later court documents that that was the first time he’d ever done that for the “I Would Die 4 U” singer.
On April 21, Prince was found unresponsive in an elevator in Paisley Park by Andrew Kornfeld (son of a California addiction specialist who had been hired by Prince’s reps to help him) and others.
The Official Cause of Death
An autopsy later confirmed that Prince died from an “accidental overdose of fentanyl,”a powerful synthetic opioid. The revelation stunned fans, especially given Prince’s clean-living image. His death became part of a larger, ongoing public health crisis. What’s more is that the official autopsy report said that Prince administered the drug himself with local authorities later sharing that the “Let’s Go Crazy” singer had “no prescription for any controlled substances in the state of Minnesota in the 12 months before he died.”
An Investigation Gets Underway
In the months following his death in 2016, authorities launched a detailed investigation into how Prince obtained the fentanyl. Reports at the time revealed that the pills he took were counterfeit and unknowingly laced with the drug. Local authorities also uncovered that a lot of drugs were taken from Paisley Park with many of them being present even when Prince suffered that medical emergency in Moline just days prior.
The Investigation’s Shocking Conclusion
After two years, the world was shocked once again when local, state and federal investigators concluded that there would be no official charges brought in connection to Prince’s death. Despite the search of the singer’s own email history, associate’s cell phone records and more—nothing pointed to a culprit.
“There is no evidence that any person associated with Prince knew that Prince possessed counterfeit pills that contained fentanyl,” Minnesota attorney Mark Metz said during a news conference in April 2018. “Prince likely had no idea he was taking fentanyl pills that could kill him. There is no evidence that the pill or pills that actually killed Prince were prescribed by a doctor.”
The Issues With His Estate
Amidst all the sadness surrounding his death, Prince also died without a will, which kicked off a complex and highly publicized legal battle over his estate which was worth $156 million at the time. Thanks to all six of his half siblings being named as potential heirs to it, what should have been a cut and dry deal turned into a six-year-long legal battle that made headlines constantly before things were fully settled.
How Prince’s Estate’s Fight Ended
According to Forbes, in August 2022, a Minnesota judge approved an agreement to end the lengthy, legal battle over Prince’s estate once and for all. By the end it, things were divided among three heirs, their families, their advisers, and Primary Wave (which purchased shares of his estate from three heirs). The settlement included “$6 million in cash and valuable music rights and other intangible assets.”
What Happened to Paisley Park?
As was always the plan according to the people who run and take care of Paisley Park today, it’s now open to the public and serves as a regular gathering spot for concerts, music events and other special occasions. You can check out an updated look at what all’s in there here.
Prince’s Legacy Lives On
While it may be hard to believe that it’s been 10 years since his passing, Prince remains as alive as ever thanks to the myriad of music lovers who are hellbent on keeping his memory and his music in front of many. Between them, his resurgence every now and then on TikTok, and his alleged vault of unreleased music—his influence continues to live on and his impact still feels ever-present and powerful.
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