Are any of the Prince bios worth reading? I'm in need of a fun summer book right about now.

It depends what you're after.

If your after a quick/simple fun read then I'd recommend "Slave 2 The Rhythm" (by Liz Jones, 1998). It tells the standard Prince story without being too biased either way.

If your after "the dirt" then I'd recommend "Possessed: The Rise & Fall Of Prince" (by Alex Hahn, 2002). It paints a pretty nasty image of Prince as being a sexist, self obsessed, workaholic, paranoid bible worshipper...

If your after the facts, like day-to-day happenings and releases, outtakes etc. then I'd recommend "The Vault" (by Uptown/Per Neilsem, 2004)

toejam said:

Cool, those first 2 sound right up my alley. I could use an overview, but the dirt sounds fun, too. Thanks!

A little less heavy than The Vault is Dance Music Sex Romance, which was basically The Vault's precursor and focuses mainly on the music, using his life more as a context than the main focus. It only goes up to 1987, though.

and I haven't read any of them.


I'm such a great fan!

FunkMistress said:

That's the one to start with. Can't wait for the follow-up.

Rhondab said:

i feel ya, there. i am a huge fan, and have read none of them. maybe i shou8ld invest in them

peace,
j

Is there any difference between "Slave to the Rhythm" and "Purple Reign," which was also written by Liz Jones and released the same year? I'm wondering if the two books are essentially the same with just different names and jackets.

"Purple Reign" (from what I remember) was full of factual errors. I even noticed a few spelling and punctuation faux pas. Liz is also a blatant plagiarist. She uses material from magazine articles and other sources without noting the sources or even putting the quoted matter in quotation marks, so it reads like all of the writing is her own.
[Edited 7/26/05 11:53am]

Rhondab said:

Agreed. Most of the stuff that they print in the biograpies is common knowlodge for most of us. So, there's no need to waste money.

MendesCity said:

Prince:A Pop Life-Dave Hill
DMSR-Per Nilsen
Turn It Up-Uptpown staff
Days Of Wild-Uptown staff

all essential

PicassoFace said:

Essentially the same book - different title and dust jacket.

'Slave To The Rhythm' was originally released in the UK in '97. When it emerged the following year in the US, it had acquired a new title. The only other difference (which was reflected also in the next UK issue of the work), was a very minor update.

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[Edited 7/26/05 13:08pm]