Update (April 22 11 am Eastern): TMZ is reporting that Prince overdosed on the painkiller Percocet following his Atlanta performances last week. The story references the artist’s longtime suffering for hip problems. The local chief medical examiner began conducting an autopsy today.
It now appears that stories of Prince suffering from the flu in the past few weeks were just that… stories. Reports from numerous sources indicate that the music legend – who died Thursday at age 57 – had reportedly been treated for a drug overdose sometime within a week before his death on April 21st. TMZ reported that doctors had given Prince what’s called a “save shot” last week when the performer’s plane made an emergency landing in Moline, IL in the early morning hours on Friday, April 15th. Prince had given back-to-back performances in Atlanta and was on his way back 2 his Minnesota home when he was rushed 2 the hospital.
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Doctors there are said 2 have administered the “save shot” to counteract the possibly fatal effects of an opiate overdose. They advised that Prince remain in their care for 24 hours. His party requested a private room. When told that one could not be provided, Prince left the hospital after three hours and continued his trip home.
An autopsy will be performed on Friday (5/22) to determine the cause of death.
The performer had been doing a series of 2 “Piano and a Microphone” solo concerts in during the winter and spring. The performances were in small venues and were only announced days in advance. Prior 2 Atlanta, he had performed in Toronto on March 25th, in Montreal on March 21st and in San Francisco on March 5th.
Tributes to Prince are coming from numerous celebrities, who are mourning his passing.
In an odd twist… Prince’s early show at Atlanta’s Fox Theater on April 14 – in what would be his final public performances – included a cover of another all-time rock legend. Amidst familiar Prince repertoire like “Little Red Corvette,” “Controversy” and “I Would Die 4 U,” the early show’s second encore began with the late David Bowie’s “Heroes.” Here is the complete list of songs via setlist.fm. Regrettably, the video has been removed from YouTube.
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