As the 10th anniversary of Prince’s death approaches, new reflections from those closest to him are shedding light on the artist’s mindset and relentless drive.
Prince, born Prince Rogers Nelson, died on April 21, 2016, at age 57, after being found unresponsive in an elevator at his Paisley Park estate in Minnesota. His death was later ruled an accidental overdose of fentanyl.
In a recent interview marking the milestone, longtime lighting director and collaborator LeRoy Bennett revealed a striking moment from early in the artist’s career.
“When he was about 26, he told me he didn’t want to live past 35: we’re all lucky that we had a couple more decades with him,” Bennett said.
The comment underscores the intensity that defined Prince both on and off stage. Bennett described an artist who pushed himself and those around him to extremes, often blurring the line between preparation and performance.
“I don’t think Prince realized how extraordinary he was and how other mortals weren’t able to keep up,” Bennett continued. “He’d do a two-hour soundcheck, play a show, take us all back to the hotel to watch the video of the show all over again, then he’d play another show after the show.”
That relentless pace extended into rehearsals, where Bennett recalls being pushed to his breaking point. “In my first five days of rehearsals with him, he was horrible to me, trying to find my breaking point. I’d go back to the hotel and cry,” he said, noting that it was a rite of passage shared by many in Prince’s orbit.
Despite the intensity, the two developed a close creative bond, united by a shared desire to push the limits of live performance. From early tours playing half-filled venues to explosive growth following national media attention, Bennett witnessed firsthand how Prince’s vision translated into spectacle.
“He saw me as an extension of himself,” Bennett noted, recalling late-night drives where Prince would play new music and moments of camaraderie that balanced the pressure of the work.
Though their professional relationship eventually ended, Bennett said their connection endured. The two later reunited at Prince’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, sharing a long conversation about their time together.
Looking back, Bennett’s memories paint a portrait of an artist who lived intensely, demanded more than most could give, and left behind a legacy that continues to resonate a decade later.
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