Music Legend Prince Confirmed Dead At 57

Music megastar Prince, whose iconic and influential 40-year career transcended genre and defined genius, collapsed inside an elevator and died Thursday at his suburban Minnesota home. The cause of death was under investigation and officials wouldn't comment on a report that he was recently treated for a drug overdose.

The 57-year-old winner of seven Grammys and an Oscar died inside his Chanhassen, Minn., recording studio at 10:07 a.m. First responders tried to revive the unresponsive musician for 20 minutes.

"The person is dead here. ... And the people are just distraught," a man said in a 911 call from the singer's estate, according to a transcript released by authorities.

Celebrity gossip site TMZ.com reported that Prince was treated for an overdose six days before his death. His private jet made an emergency landing on Friday in Illinois — less than an hour from his home. The music legend was given a "save shot" at a hospital to "counteract the effects of an opiate," TMZ.com reported.

 Sources told the site doctors advised him to stay 24 hours, but he flew home within three hours. The site posted a photo of Prince reportedly taken at a Walgreens near his home around 7 p.m. Wednesday — his fourth trip to the pharmacy this week. He looked nervous and frail, workers told TMZ.

An autopsy is scheduled for Friday.

The revelations threatened to cast a dark pall on the music legend's legacy.

Prince's brilliant musical output in the 1980s defined the decade: His classic albums included "Purple Rain," "1999" and "Sign O' the Times," along with a string of chart-topping singles like "When Doves Cry," "Little Red Corvette," "Raspberry Beret" and "U Got the Look."

The "Purple Rain" soundtrack alone sold more than 13 million copies, earning Prince the Academy Award for Best Original Song Score. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

 "Prince's talent was limitless," tweeted Mick Jagger, who hired the young singer-songwriter as the Rolling Stones' opening act for a 1980-81 tour.

"He was one of the most unique and talented artists of the last 30 years . . . a revolutionary artist, a great musician, a wonderful lyricist, a startling guitar player."

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