http://www.watsonguptill....230-7748-9
Possessed: The Rise and Fall of Prince
Alex Hahn - ISBN: 0-8230-7748-9 - Watson-Guptill - Book (Hardcover) - $24.95 - 6 x 9 - 288 pages - 30 black and white illustrations - April 2003

Few artists have accomplished what Prince Rogers Nelson has: he has topped the R&B, pop, and dance charts; he has overwhelmed musicians and critics with his seemingly endless wealth of talent; he has outraged; and he has inspired.

While a handful of quickie and quasi biographies have been published on Prince, this is the first time he has received full-length, full-scale biographical treatment. Using sources unavailable to others, author Alex Hahn has created a page-turning biography/pop culture history/work of musical scholarship on one of the most dynamic, talented, and controversial performers ever to don backless pants on national television. Hahn unveils the psychology of this tortured, messianic artist whose ceaseless reinventions have at times rendered him a profoundly original artist, while at other times threatened to become a mockery of himself and his music.

Recollections and opinions from friends, employees, and industry insiders place readers right in the middle of some of Prince’s most awe-inspiring recording and songwriting sessions. They also relate countless and sometimes shocking details about Prince’s most publicized relationships (with Kim Basinger, Carmen Electra, Vanity, and many, many more); reveal how Prince plagiarized band members’ musical ideas; and explain why he has become such an isolated figure. The book also draws upon the hundreds of interviews given by Prince over the years.

Possessed: The Rise and Fall of Prince is a whirlwind of a read that celebrates the artist and examines the man; it’s a mesmerizing biography certain to leave readers breathless.

Detailed coverage of Prince’s notorious private life, including his affairs with glamorous women; his compulsion for total control and the death of his infant child
Contains the most detailed appendix of song and recording session information ever assembled on Prince
Includes info about his vast canon of unreleased music and the hundreds of songs he has written for other artists
Alex Hahn, a resident of Boston, has written for the Boston Globe and the San Francisco Chronicle. Also an attorney, Hahn defended Uptown, the leading Prince fanzine, in a suit brought by the artist himself.

16.95 UK sterling, 39.95 US dollars, World Distribution

Pictures from the book: http://www.watsonguptill....077489.htm
More about Alex: http://www.brooklineadult...bios.shtml

Alex Hahn is a journalist who has written for numerous publications including The Boston Globe and The San Fransisco Chronicle. He is currently working on his first book, Prince" An Unauthorized Biography. He is a graduate of the Northeastern University School of Law and the Northeastern University School of Journalism.

I hope this isn’t another author that believes everything that comes out of the mouth of those who have been even remotely associated with Prince (including the dude that cleans the toilets at Paisley) and treats everything Prince says as a lie, then has the nerve to refer to itself as an objective source.

It certainly sounds as though a lot of it is being sold with a salacious angle, but unfortunately that is almost all that sells these days.

Anyway, I hope my instincts are wrong and this is a wonderfully well-written book.

"fams" will probably hate this book

See now here's my problem, as much as i respect Barts factual contributions he and people like him who lets face it pretty much hate a lot about Prince as a person as well as his music, will see this as some sort of rubber stamp on their views. My thoughts are as follows,

1] In 2002 Prince had given us possibly his most personal
contact ever through sound checks , after shows and smaller gigs. If it cost a fortune for gig tickets so what , it was our choice if we wanted to pay it. The music at the gigs varied and the quality of the band this year has been great. Yet what thanks has he had from his hard core?, support for a book that i can assure you will be tabloid quality at best with quotes from pissed off ex associates who have gone on to do fuck all!, and a bunch of whiny little bitches who were upset about the unfairness of the music club - boo fucking hoo. This is Prince we are dealing with , you should know by now that business in the purple world runs on his terms so accept the deal or fuck off.
If i were Prince i would be banging my head against a wall thinking what more do i have to do to keep these people happy.

2] Last years music, tours etc which were applauded by the majority of fans were given against a backdrop of personal tradgedy for Prince, yet he still delivered more than he has ever done.

3] His personal life is his business , i'm here for the music. PLease accept that he is human, stunningly talented but human like you and me and therefore has personal failings. I would be a total hypocrit if i did not admit tobe facinated by his personal life but as i grow older and wiser i realise that it is not important. If YOU became famous imagine how much dirt can be exaggerated or made up about you.

4] When you buy this book remember that there are 2 sides to every story, we already know what the negative aspects of his personality are but we all have them. Love him for what he is and not for what you think he should be. Concentrate on getting yourself right rather than him.

5] Wouldn't it be great if someone wrote a book that focussed just on his music and had contributions from people in the industry who were just positive. Is taht such a bad thing.

If this new book turns out to becrap, let's not forget the wonderful book by Per Nilsen.

The way this is being advertised, it seems more like a salubrious, tabloid-orientated book of gossip. One will have to wait and see, but it doesn't look promising.

I'd rather someone wrote a book about the music, the lyrics, the musician and performer. I'm not saying it would have to praise everything he did, I would want it to be objective, but at least be focussed on his profession rather than his personal life.

Ah look it's the book by a bitter fan that people have been waiting for.

Of course I'll probably buy it just to see how much has been lifted from the books Per Nilsen, et al., have already put out. It'll be interesting to see what Denise Matthews' contribution is considering she has her own book she's been trying to get out for several years.

Oh, I just reread this. There's stuff about the death of his kid. Ok, now that's foul



.
[This message was edited Fri Jan 10 4:46:50 PST 2003 by Ifsixwuz9]

Its been a long-time deleted now but if you can get hold of it "Prince: A Pop Life" is a very good biography by British author called Dave Hill. I haven't read it for a while but I remember it to be a fairly factual read and not the least bit salacious.

Prince looks possessed in that first pic.

there r so many people out there that r JEALOUS OF PRINCE. LEAVE THE MAN ALONE! why does anyone want 2 bring up the death of his child, that is so cruel,he is a great artist and i will live him and his music no matter what. his personal life is just that HIS, AND NO ONE SHOULD SNOOP INTO HIS PERSONAL LIFE!!

The title of the book alone gives it away as salacious drivel. "The Rise and Fall," like Prince is a historical figure?

The past two years have been two of Prince's best! But maybe this author only considers record sales statistics when he talks about success, and has no mind for artistic success.

This book is for tabloid readers, not us.

geminito said:

exactly. leave crap like this and books like purple reign/slave to the rhythm 2 them.

gimme dmsr.

and now...

Ifsixwuz9 said:

Look up who Alex Hahn is and you'll know.

Hundreds of interviews w/Prince? Hundreds?

This Hahn creep looks and sounds like an attorney wanting to make money off of Prince just because he helped Uptown.

Not a fan.

At least Per Nilsen is a true fan and I can really appreciate his last book, Dance Music Sex Romance.

But this one...it seems like an attempt to cash in on Prince by some "journalist".

BartVanHemelen said:

One of Uptown's Lawyers.

I Think a Boycott of this book iz N serious Rder. 2 Stoop az low az 2 bring up the manz child iz truly cruel.


WHO WILL HELP ME BOYCOTT THIS BOOK ???

WE SHOULD ALSO SEND THIS ALEX GUY SOME NASTY E-MAILZ


Thumper

boscho said:

I'm reading that book now and enjoying the hell out of it.

Thumpinhard said:

I'm with you on the boycott!

SexualSuicide said:

Well, if he was given access to Prince for "hundreds" of interviews, that must mean this book is authorized and truthful?

Don't know if I can bring myself to read yet another book about Prince since I'm sure it's mostly information I know by heart.
What I want to know is: where is the sequel to Per Nilsen's book?!?!? Is there going to be one?!?
That book was refreshing in that in concentrated on the thing that really matters about Prince: the music.

Sounds like a good book.
The author has a law degree and a degree in journalism.

XtrueX said:

i hope so...

"Rise and Fall"?, call me biased because I fucking love the man so much, but Prince "Fell"?. I may need to read the book, however, if one considers taking control of one's destiny falling, then I am also working on "Falling".

Then again I find solace in knowing that many great minds are unappreciated and dogged for no other reason than misunderstanding.

"It Ain't Over"!!!

BartVanHemelen said:

I don't have to look him up Bart. The point is since he is connected to Uptown it's possible and probable some of the info will be rehashed.

Thumpinhard said:

fams are funny indeed

"Possessed"...

I don't even like the title. But hey, you shouldn't judge a book by it...I would check it anwyay.
[This message was edited Fri Jan 10 15:51:07 PST 2003 by Starmist7]

brooklyn said:

You couldn't have said it any better. The title alone turns me off from wanting to read this book. Leave that crap in the garbage and let the rats have their way with it.

Excellent post JAVED! I feel you!!