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Thread started 02/14/07 3:47pm

SugaMama03

Alex Hahn's biography of Prince

I just got this book and have started reading it. I know there are two sides to every coin, but has anyone else but me read this book. There are some startling revelations in it. Especially concerning the relationship with Prince, Jesse Johnson and the rest of the Time. He states that according to his sources Prince and Miko Weaver almost came to blows.

What do you guys think?
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Reply #1 posted 02/14/07 5:09pm

sosgemini

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what? prince almost blew miko weaver? how ummm..not erotic.


biggrin
Space for sale...
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Reply #2 posted 02/14/07 5:32pm

tmo1965

I read the book, but I take a dash of salt with whatever it says. I'm sure some of it is accurate though.
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Reply #3 posted 02/14/07 6:30pm

DJJillMonroe

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Unless anyone can have a dialouge and discuss EXACTLY what happened between any of those individuals, take those books exactly for what they are, fictional entertainment. cool
Why You Jive Turkey You....
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Reply #4 posted 02/15/07 3:32am

killthechurch

Alan leeds confirmed the book is fact.
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Reply #5 posted 02/15/07 6:00am

SnakePeel

The problem I had with Hahn's book is that he obviously had such an axe to grind with Prince. The book was completely biased. Lest we forget, Hahn represented Uptown when Prince went lawsuit crazy. Plus, the guy makes a lot of stupid errors--misspelled names, fucked up track lists, etc.
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Reply #6 posted 02/15/07 3:46pm

DJJillMonroe

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SnakePeel said:

The problem I had with Hahn's book is that he obviously had such an axe to grind with Prince. The book was completely biased. Lest we forget, Hahn represented Uptown when Prince went lawsuit crazy. Plus, the guy makes a lot of stupid errors--misspelled names, fucked up track lists, etc.



Yes, this is all well noted. Those of us that have been blessed to spend time with individuals written in this book know what actually happened in many of the stated situations.
Why You Jive Turkey You....
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Reply #7 posted 02/15/07 3:53pm

Mag777

DJJillMonroe said:

SnakePeel said:

The problem I had with Hahn's book is that he obviously had such an axe to grind with Prince. The book was completely biased. Lest we forget, Hahn represented Uptown when Prince went lawsuit crazy. Plus, the guy makes a lot of stupid errors--misspelled names, fucked up track lists, etc.



Yes, this is all well noted. Those of us that have been blessed to spend time with individuals written in this book know what actually happened in many of the stated situations.

some people just don't want to believe anything 'negative' about him...he's human everyone!!
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Reply #8 posted 02/15/07 4:52pm

sitruk7

SugaMama03 said:

I just got this book and have started reading it. I know there are two sides to every coin, but has anyone else but me read this book. There are some startling revelations in it. Especially concerning the relationship with Prince, Jesse Johnson and the rest of the Time. He states that according to his sources Prince and Miko Weaver almost came to blows.What do you guys think?
I believe there's a bootlegged video somewhere with this on it.I've only heard about it but would love to see it. lol
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Reply #9 posted 02/15/07 6:12pm

JudasLChrist

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killthechurch said:

Alan leeds confirmed the book is fact.


Infact Alan Leeds said it was the best book ever written about Prince.
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Reply #10 posted 02/15/07 10:42pm

LinnLM1

I read it and think its a great book It praises Prince when its deserved and it rips him when its deserved. The thing I like about it is it contains so many direct quotes from Alan Leeds, Karen Krattinger, Susan Rogers etc.....so many people who were very, very close to him and tell it like it is.
the music knows what your motives are when you are making it

listen to The Replacements - its good for the soul
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Reply #11 posted 02/15/07 10:50pm

madhouseman

SnakePeel said:

The problem I had with Hahn's book is that he obviously had such an axe to grind with Prince. The book was completely biased. Lest we forget, Hahn represented Uptown when Prince went lawsuit crazy. Plus, the guy makes a lot of stupid errors--misspelled names, fucked up track lists, etc.



This has been reheated over and over and over. The bottom line is that Alex did a lot of research about Prince, and much of his factual errors were about other artists from the time period (U2, etc.). His research was very in depth and his writing was amazingly accurate. As someone who has worked with Alex at UPTOWN and other projects, I can say that we owe him a dept of gratitude for keeping UPTOWN and their subsequent books from folding. UPTOWN has been one of the constant sources of Prince information and without Alex's help, we'd have had to fold. Take that from someone who was there.
The expanded version of my book PRINCE and The Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions 1983-1984 was released in November 2018. (www.amazon.com/gp/product/1538114623/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0) or www.facebook.com/groups/1...104195943/
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Reply #12 posted 02/16/07 6:43pm

SugaMama03

Well, I have almost finished reading the book and this is just my humble opinion. The best way I can relate to Prince's situation (because I wasn't there and haven't ever actually met any of these people.) Is I am a relative of the actor Allen Payne. He is an extreme introvert. It is very hard to get him to talk. He is very proctective of himself and of his family. The public often sees him as being stuck up and conceited. I can only guess it is the same way for Prince. He has his good moments and his bad. As hard as it is to imagine it is very hard for introverts to open up and to communicate.

I also know that people who grew up where there are extreme circumstances in their homelife often feel they have no control. This issue becomes the focus of their lives. They are determine things are gonna be different. I am going have control of every aspect of my surroundings at any cost.

It is so easy for us fans to imagine a star being a Prince charming 24/7. All we really see is the imagine presented to us on stage. For me, I may not approve of everything he does but I still like his music and performances.
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Reply #13 posted 02/17/07 11:37am

laurarichardso
n

madhouseman said:

SnakePeel said:

The problem I had with Hahn's book is that he obviously had such an axe to grind with Prince. The book was completely biased. Lest we forget, Hahn represented Uptown when Prince went lawsuit crazy. Plus, the guy makes a lot of stupid errors--misspelled names, fucked up track lists, etc.



This has been reheated over and over and over. The bottom line is that Alex did a lot of research about Prince, and much of his factual errors were about other artists from the time period (U2, etc.). His research was very in depth and his writing was amazingly accurate. As someone who has worked with Alex at UPTOWN and other projects, I can say that we owe him a dept of gratitude for keeping UPTOWN and their subsequent books from folding. UPTOWN has been one of the constant sources of Prince information and without Alex's help, we'd have had to fold. Take that from someone who was there.

-----
Your saying this because you know the author. That book sucks ass and I am glad that Prince's career is continuing despite Mr.Hanh prediction of the demise of his carreer.
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Reply #14 posted 02/17/07 12:42pm

madhouseman

laurarichardson said:

madhouseman said:




This has been reheated over and over and over. The bottom line is that Alex did a lot of research about Prince, and much of his factual errors were about other artists from the time period (U2, etc.). His research was very in depth and his writing was amazingly accurate. As someone who has worked with Alex at UPTOWN and other projects, I can say that we owe him a dept of gratitude for keeping UPTOWN and their subsequent books from folding. UPTOWN has been one of the constant sources of Prince information and without Alex's help, we'd have had to fold. Take that from someone who was there.

-----
Your saying this because you know the author. That book sucks ass and I am glad that Prince's career is continuing despite Mr.Hanh prediction of the demise of his carreer.


I am saying this because I know about the author, but I also personally know many of the people interviewed for the book and know many of their stories. Alex and I have never officially met, but all of you should be familiar with the great work he did keeping UPTOWN afloat. My suggestion is get the book, read it, and if you don't like the facts he lays out, go back to reading TEEN BEAT or CONTROVERSY magazine who enjoy creating puff pieces about Prince. There is material for those who don't like his (and Per Nilsen's) work if that is what you need. The rest of us will enjoy understanding a little bit more about the actual person and the music he creates.
The expanded version of my book PRINCE and The Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions 1983-1984 was released in November 2018. (www.amazon.com/gp/product/1538114623/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0) or www.facebook.com/groups/1...104195943/
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Reply #15 posted 02/17/07 5:01pm

peterfalconer

I've been putting off getting this book for ages - I hate having to admit that my man might actually have some flaws.

But anyways, now I've accepted he's probably acted like an absolute twunt over the years, I'll have to get hold of it.

"DMSR" was a great book - fascinating and inspiring to read. Seemed very balanced to me, and Bobby Z came across as a really nice guy!

"Slave 2 The Rhythm" I loved at the time, because I was such a blind fan, but now I can see it's just a badly-written and conveniently patchy hagiography.
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Reply #16 posted 02/19/07 8:30pm

3xcharm

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Does anyone know if there are other biography books about Mr. Nelson?
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Reply #17 posted 02/19/07 9:07pm

paisley16

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my favorite book about Prince was always Dave Hill's Prince: A Pop Life, 1989.
Of course, a lot has happened since then!! But it's a good read, and IMO seemed to be one of the more credible books out there at the time.
Ask where they're going, they'll tell U – "Nowhere"
They've taken a lifetime lease on Paisley Park ...music
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Reply #18 posted 02/19/07 11:41pm

madhouseman

paisley16 said:

my favorite book about Prince was always Dave Hill's Prince: A Pop Life, 1989.
Of course, a lot has happened since then!! But it's a good read, and IMO seemed to be one of the more credible books out there at the time.


a really good book, but read Alex's book as well as Per Nilsen's book. You'll be very pleased by rounding it all out.
The expanded version of my book PRINCE and The Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions 1983-1984 was released in November 2018. (www.amazon.com/gp/product/1538114623/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0) or www.facebook.com/groups/1...104195943/
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Reply #19 posted 02/19/07 11:44pm

madhouseman

DJJillMonroe said:

Unless anyone can have a dialouge and discuss EXACTLY what happened between any of those individuals, take those books exactly for what they are, fictional entertainment. cool


I agree, and that is why I think his book is very worthy reading. I've talked to many of those people on and off the record for a number of projects and thought Alex really did his homework.
The expanded version of my book PRINCE and The Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions 1983-1984 was released in November 2018. (www.amazon.com/gp/product/1538114623/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0) or www.facebook.com/groups/1...104195943/
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Reply #20 posted 02/20/07 4:49am

SoulAlive

I have read Alex's book and I think it is very compelling.We all know that Prince isn't perfect and he has alot of character flaws.In fact,I've heard some of these stories long before Alex's book came out.The book includes alot of quotes from people who were actually there.It's not as if Alex just made up alot of crazy rumors and decided to write a book about them.
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Reply #21 posted 02/20/07 4:54am

SoulAlive

madhouseman said:

laurarichardson said:


-----
Your saying this because you know the author. That book sucks ass and I am glad that Prince's career is continuing despite Mr.Hanh prediction of the demise of his carreer.


I am saying this because I know about the author, but I also personally know many of the people interviewed for the book and know many of their stories. Alex and I have never officially met, but all of you should be familiar with the great work he did keeping UPTOWN afloat. My suggestion is get the book, read it, and if you don't like the facts he lays out, go back to reading TEEN BEAT or CONTROVERSY magazine who enjoy creating puff pieces about Prince. There is material for those who don't like his (and Per Nilsen's) work if that is what you need. The rest of us will enjoy understanding a little bit more about the actual person and the music he creates.



Exactly nod
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Reply #22 posted 02/20/07 9:15am

calldapplwonde
ry83

I don't know, I think I have a problem with books about people who happen to be famous and like all of us fuck up now and then and then have it laid out for the rest of the world years later. Won't read it.
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Reply #23 posted 02/20/07 11:56am

paisley16

avatar

madhouseman said:

paisley16 said:

my favorite book about Prince was always Dave Hill's Prince: A Pop Life, 1989.
Of course, a lot has happened since then!! But it's a good read, and IMO seemed to be one of the more credible books out there at the time.


a really good book, but read Alex's book as well as Per Nilsen's book. You'll be very pleased by rounding it all out.


I did read Alex's and Per Nilsen's as well. (I think I've read every book written about Prince, I'm a reader smile )
I too questioned some of Hahn's reporting. But not a bad book. I wish someday P would write his own story.....I'd be on a bookstore line overnight for that!
Ask where they're going, they'll tell U – "Nowhere"
They've taken a lifetime lease on Paisley Park ...music
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Reply #24 posted 02/25/07 1:19pm

adorable2

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SugaMama03 said:

Well, I have almost finished reading the book and this is just my humble opinion. The best way I can relate to Prince's situation (because I wasn't there and haven't ever actually met any of these people.) Is I am a relative of the actor Allen Payne. He is an extreme introvert. It is very hard to get him to talk. He is very proctective of himself and of his family. The public often sees him as being stuck up and conceited. I can only guess it is the same way for Prince. He has his good moments and his bad. As hard as it is to imagine it is very hard for introverts to open up and to communicate.

I also know that people who grew up where there are extreme circumstances in their homelife often feel they have no control. This issue becomes the focus of their lives. They are determine things are gonna be different. I am going have control of every aspect of my surroundings at any cost.

It is so easy for us fans to imagine a star being a Prince charming 24/7. All we really see is the imagine presented to us on stage. For me, I may not approve of everything he does but I still like his music and performances.


That's funny cause I met Allen in the mall (I won't mention which one). He was very very nice to me although ur right he wasn't very talkatiive. At the time he was looking at cell phones and I approached him and we began a conversation and then I asked him for an autograph and he was very nice about everything. We were like the same height too. Anyway u r right he was polite but shy. I was a HUGE fan of Jason's lyric and it made my day to chat with him.
I'm an org elitist... totally unapproachable.

www.myspace.com/prinsexed
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