In recent video/performance clips he appears to be remarkably spry, especially for a 57 year old man. I recall a recent short TMZ clip of him hurrying from a New York hotel and into a waiting limo. No sign of any pain/lack of motion at all. In fact, in many performance clips I've seen of him from the last couple of years I've never seen even the slightest smidge of discomfort and pain while moving around. Granted, he wasn't doing the splits and piano leaps of yore but still.

Even in 2010 he was climbing on top a piano and dancing in heels when I saw him live...

Morris Day had hip replacement and he was still doing the Time dances and such

purplethunder3121 said:

Even in 2010 he was climbing on top a piano and dancing in heels when I saw him live...

Well, stepping up on a piano or dancing is one thing. I personally think Sheila E. is right when she mentions the jumps from the risers, etc. Also, the splits always plays a part in someone having hip problems later on. Even professional dancers end up slowing down and limiting what they do from years of abuse on the body.

I was thinking about the splits thing recently. The last time I remember seeing him do the splits was on the Rave Un2 The Year 2000 DVD. After that was the ONA tour, I think, and I don't know if he did them on that tour. I'm sure someone can confirm or deny that.

And to the OP: 57 ain't old, child! You can be spry and athletic at 57. Hell, I saw a 100 year old woman on TV the other day who runs marathons and sprints! Granted, it takes her a tad longer, but she'd give any one of us a run for the money. The Percocet is probably what helped him cope during performances, etc. Someone on here, just recently, mentioned having hip or back surgery, and how Percocet let them be a human again, and able to function somewhat normally instead of being racked with pain 24/7.

TrivialPursuit said:

purplethunder3121 said:

Even in 2010 he was climbing on top a piano and dancing in heels when I saw him live...

Well, stepping up on a piano or dancing is one thing. I personally think Sheila E. is right when she mentions the jumps from the risers, etc. Also, the splits always plays a part in someone having hip problems later on. Even professional dancers end up slowing down and limiting what they do from years of abuse on the body.

I was thinking about the splits thing recently. The last time I remember seeing him do the splits was on the Rave Un2 The Year 2000 DVD. After that was the ONA tour, I think, and I don't know if he did them on that tour. I'm sure someone can confirm or deny that.

And to the OP: 57 ain't old, child! You can be spry and athletic at 57. Hell, I saw a 100 year old woman on TV the other day who runs marathons and sprints! Granted, it takes her a tad longer, but she'd give any one of us a run for the money. The Percocet is probably what helped him cope during performances, etc. Someone on here, just recently, mentioned having hip or back surgery, and how Percocet let them be a human again, and able to function somewhat normally instead of being racked with pain 24/7.

whenever I see videos of him jumping from those risers and doing the splites I wince

I think if Prince were in a wheelchair--he would be more graceful, funky and agile than just about anyone. Those things naturally emanated from his being. Even with chronic pain...

[Edited 5/10/16 10:43am]

avajane said:

Ummm, perhaps the painkillers?

Oh please, what a weird conclusion

avajane said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

TrivialPursuit said:

Well, stepping up on a piano or dancing is one thing. I personally think Sheila E. is right when she mentions the jumps from the risers, etc. Also, the splits always plays a part in someone having hip problems later on. Even professional dancers end up slowing down and limiting what they do from years of abuse on the body.

I was thinking about the splits thing recently. The last time I remember seeing him do the splits was on the Rave Un2 The Year 2000 DVD. After that was the ONA tour, I think, and I don't know if he did them on that tour. I'm sure someone can confirm or deny that.

And to the OP: 57 ain't old, child! You can be spry and athletic at 57. Hell, I saw a 100 year old woman on TV the other day who runs marathons and sprints! Granted, it takes her a tad longer, but she'd give any one of us a run for the money. The Percocet is probably what helped him cope during performances, etc. Someone on here, just recently, mentioned having hip or back surgery, and how Percocet let them be a human again, and able to function somewhat normally instead of being racked with pain 24/7.

whenever I see videos of him jumping from those risers and doing the splites I wince

I do too.

laurarichardson said:

avajane said:

Ummm, perhaps the painkillers?

/// He kept popping pills to keeping working. I bet we find out withdrawal symptoms killed him. He needed medical help to get it together and should have not been out on tour. I think he inadvertanly worked himself to death.

Yeah.

Painkillers help a lot with hip and back pain, so don't assume that because he was agile in his performances that he wasn't in pain without pain medication.

I've seen a video of him stepping out of a limo and you can see he's in pain but covers it up - I guess that only someone who has experienced that type of pain would recognise it, but he falters for a split second before continuing. Immediately I saw that clip, I knew he must be in great pain at times.

Sometimes you can do things that are extraordinary, that even surprise yourself at the time, but for a day or two later you're in agony. I can imagine that the adrenaline of live concerts plus the medication helped Prince to deal with life. I also know how easy it would be to become addicted to certain painkillers. I don't think it's fair to assume that because he didn't outwardly show signs of pain, he wasn't in pain. I personally think he was very good at covering it up, and very brave.

Adrenaline + painkillers. The pain's probably more unbearable when you're trying to sleep or relax.

Several folks have mentioned seeing him walk with a limp as far back as 2010. He had pain problems and that's just a fact. I have hip and knee problems, though far from debilitating. I only really notice them after rising from having been seated for a long time (such as after a movie). I can still get on stage and jump around and do rock and roll manuvers without much pain at all. That's without ANY medicine. The couple of times I've had some major dental stuff done and been prescribed stuff like vicodin or hydrocodone it takes all pain away, even pain you weren't even aware of because it sneaks up on you over the years and you get used to it before you even notice it. I'm a big enough guy that the usual dosage doesn't mess with my mind, but it makes my body feel exactly like I remember it at 16. The pain would've been nonexistant with Prince and he would've been able to do most of his usual stage biz.

Question for everyone.If its true what his brother duane said about the pills in the 90's did he have hip and foot problems then?Also if there is no rx for the prescription does it mean it was never given to him ever.And that someone just said here take this it a make you feel better?Sad either way but,people that got hooked usually say it started from a tooth or operation and dr gave the rx.But,if he just started taking them from the st to me that means someone got him hooked and needs to pay for this.IF ITS TRUE. No way did someone live a clean life like prince did and everyone is together on that fact.Then all of a sudden started down this road.

destinyc1 said:

laurarichardson said:

destinyc1 said:

Question for everyone.If its true what his brother duane said about the pills in the 90's did he have hip and foot problems then?Also if there is no rx for the prescription does it mean it was never given to him ever.And that someone just said here take this it a make you feel better?Sad either way but,people that got hooked usually say it started from a tooth or operation and dr gave the rx.But,if he just started taking them from the st to me that means someone got him hooked and needs to pay for this.IF ITS TRUE. No way did someone live a clean life like prince did and everyone is together on that fact.Then all of a sudden started down this road.

// Having taken Percocets after surgery they are for pain they make you sleepy. P was energitic he had to be taking for pain and he just escalated it. I also Duane and his issues and stop taking anything he had to say seriously.

Opiods make some people sleepy, not everyone. My experiences with them were the opposite. I stayed up all night and never felt better.

Percocet is a helluva drug.

Genesia said:

Percocet is a helluva drug.

RaspberryKiren said:

Painkillers help a lot with hip and back pain, so don't assume that because he was agile in his performances that he wasn't in pain without pain medication.

I've seen a video of him stepping out of a limo and you can see he's in pain but covers it up - I guess that only someone who has experienced that type of pain would recognise it, but he falters for a split second before continuing. Immediately I saw that clip, I knew he must be in great pain at times.

Sometimes you can do things that are extraordinary, that even surprise yourself at the time, but for a day or two later you're in agony. I can imagine that the adrenaline of live concerts plus the medication helped Prince to deal with life. I also know how easy it would be to become addicted to certain painkillers. I don't think it's fair to assume that because he didn't outwardly show signs of pain, he wasn't in pain. I personally think he was very good at covering it up, and very brave.

.

Agree 100%

OldFriends4Sale said:

whenever I see videos of him jumping from those risers and doing the splits, I wince

me too

OldFriends4Sale said:

Morris Day had hip replacement and he was still doing the Time dances and such

Morris made a comment that he felt like a "new person" after his surgery.Makes me wonder if Prince ever went through with the surgery

avajane said:

soladeo1 said:

In recent video/performance clips he appears to be remarkably spry, especially for a 57 year old man. I recall a recent short TMZ clip of him hurrying from a New York hotel and into a waiting limo. No sign of any pain/lack of motion at all. In fact, in many performance clips I've seen of him from the last couple of years I've never seen even the slightest smidge of discomfort and pain while moving around. Granted, he wasn't doing the splits and piano leaps of yore but still.

Spry ? I turn 57 tomorrow. I guess I better call the Hoveround company and see how I can get one at low or no cost to me.

ChanGirl said:

soladeo1 said:

In recent video/performance clips he appears to be remarkably spry, especially for a 57 year old man. I recall a recent short TMZ clip of him hurrying from a New York hotel and into a waiting limo. No sign of any pain/lack of motion at all. In fact, in many performance clips I've seen of him from the last couple of years I've never seen even the slightest smidge of discomfort and pain while moving around. Granted, he wasn't doing the splits and piano leaps of yore but still.

Spry ? I turn 57 tomorrow. I guess I better call the Hoveround company and see how I can get one at low or no cost to me.

TheW00denLeg said:

Genesia said:

Percocet is a helluva drug.

Ya'll mofos aint right

Kind of reminds me of Elvis who (its been said) Prince idolized. They pumped Elvis with pills to do everythng in the end, just to get him out of bed in the morning, record songs...even take a dump i'm sure.