whitewidow said:

Prince doesn't care about you

Heiress said:

It's obvious to a lot of blind, ass-kissing fanatics. Something else to more reasonable people, or no one would ever have had this discussion.

markpeg said:

Thanks! We won't time you honest

Have you got past the part where Andre's Mum, smacks 16 year old Prince on the bottom?! That's hilarious, can't remember what he'd done now, but he just accepted it - she sounds like a really good woman!

Prince doesn't care about you

It just came out at the wrong time...Rise and Fall and Rise should have been the title because Musicology was just about to explode.

We all know what P's problem is....he is a control freak and after awhile control freaks end up being the cause of their own fall....

This topic comes up every once in a while. Let me throw in a quick refresher course. I have interviewed many of the people involved in that book. Prince wasn't always nice to people and was very often just plain cruel. Alex had some errors when it came to a few dates, etc. but the overall tone was accurate.

It was written at a time when Prince's career was on a downward slope according to many. The title was fairly accurate at the time.

regarding Alex. He didn't have a beef with Prince. He defended UPTOWN magazine (for free as I recall) when Prince wanted to sue them for using the symbol that he supplied to the media. He also felt that they were involved in bootlegging his music. As I recall, Alex countersued on UPTOWN's behalf and Prince settled. UPTOWN agreed not to write about bootleg CDs and albums (and stop reprinting the issue that covered that exclusively). They also agreed to post a note on the front of any UPTOWN publication that stated clearly that they were not associated with Prince, Paisley Park or anything else involving Prince. UPTOWN was allowed to continue publishing and Prince would have no say in what they printed.

There are days when I wonder why more fans aren't kissing Alex's ass because he busted his butt (for free) to make sure that the fans could continue reading about how/when Prince's music was recorded and books like DMSR could be published. Alex was instrumental when it came to making sure that Prince had no say in UPTOWN's reviews and articles. MOST of what you know about Prince in the studio would never have been published if it weren't for Alex so y'all should collectively give his butt a smooch.

Also, regarding the accuracy of the book, I suggest you listen to Alan Leeds when he stated that it was fairly accurate. I don't remember the exact phrase, but he said that there was a lot of truth in the book.

Now, if you've got more experience with Prince, be my guest and lay down some science for us, but until then, lets allow the experts to have their say.

Bottom line:
1) Book is mostly accurate when it comes to Prince.
2) Alex doesn't have an ax to grind.
3) Alex defended UPTOWN, which stopped Prince in his tracks and probably is a reason we have the 'org and Housequake.
4) Alan Leeds, Prince's old manager, says the book is accurate.
5) Ya'll should plant lips on Alex's butt since he did it all for free.
6) Read the book. Borrow it from the library if you like, but read it.

Yount.

viewaskew said:

says the fuck who. you? LMAO

"To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men--that is genius" -- Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Few are worthy of the title "genius". This unusual breed is often shrouded in mystery, their personas overshadowed by the magnitude of their accomplishments. Many were misunderstood in their lietime, disparaged for their non-traditional thinking; their ideas too innovative for their time.

We are introduced to many of these famous men and women in the pages of dusty textbooks where it is easy to forget how truly revolutionary their thoughts and deeds once were. These are the people that allow us to marvel at the ability of our fellow man, who change our lives forver whether we know it or not.

Geniuses are not necessairly born with their brilliance intact, although much of their skill can be inherited from their parents. The ability of the genius is awakened by their environment, and sustained by their aptitude for hard work Internal conflict, the challenge of hard-thought intellectual inquiry, and even glory are some of the many factors that provoke the genius to act.

What we know is that every genius is endowed with extra-ordinary creative thinking abilities, often displaying a stunning grasp of logic and reasoning, with brains functioning at the farthest edge of human capacity. A truly rare being, the genius has a powerful mind that searches relentlessly for knowledge and understanding. Over time, their focus may narrow, and they seize upon and dissect a subject of endless interest to them. It is their unique abilities that allow them to move beyond simple mastery, to the point in which they can see the world in a way no one could have imagined.

Through this process, genius becomes exploration, its holders driven by restless curiosity into unchartered territory. Here, through determination, passion and astonishing brilliance, they set about shattering old beliefs, breaking new ground, and establishing order where none existed. These men and women of conviction see the world in entirely new ways, transcending limits while on a journey of courage and inner strength. But it is in our everyday world where we see the fruits of their labour, for genius is brilliance translated into action. It is achievement realised- a startling theory, a moving piece of music, a wondrous invention.

Intentionally or not, geniuses become leaders, lighting the way to a brighter future for the rest of humankind. They serve as an inspiration, a reminder of our innate potential. The genius shares his or her gifts with society, elevating our spirits and raising our sights. In return, he or she is not merely celebrated, but remembered for all time. They attain immortality, and our lives are forever enhanced y their momentous contributions.

http://www.abeautifulmind.com/main.html

whitewidow said:

Plenty of people who worked with the man. Hahn's book is hardly the first to call Prince on the fact that he's an asshole. Take off the purple blinders, & have a nice dose of reality before you speak to me again you sad little sycophant.

This topic comes up every once in a while. Let me throw in a quick refresher course. I have interviewed many of the people involved in that book. Prince wasn't always nice to people and was very often just plain cruel. Alex had some errors when it came to a few dates, etc. but the overall tone was accurate.

It was written at a time when Prince's career was on a downward slope according to many. The title was fairly accurate at the time.

regarding Alex. He didn't have a beef with Prince. He defended UPTOWN magazine (for free as I recall) when Prince wanted to sue them for using the symbol that he supplied to the media. He also felt that they were involved in bootlegging his music. As I recall, Alex countersued on UPTOWN's behalf and Prince settled. UPTOWN agreed not to write about bootleg CDs and albums (and stop reprinting the issue that covered that exclusively). They also agreed to post a note on the front of any UPTOWN publication that stated clearly that they were not associated with Prince, Paisley Park or anything else involving Prince. UPTOWN was allowed to continue publishing and Prince would have no say in what they printed.

There are days when I wonder why more fans aren't kissing Alex's ass because he busted his butt (for free) to make sure that the fans could continue reading about how/when Prince's music was recorded and books like DMSR could be published. Alex was instrumental when it came to making sure that Prince had no say in UPTOWN's reviews and articles. MOST of what you know about Prince in the studio would never have been published if it weren't for Alex so y'all should collectively give his butt a smooch.

Also, regarding the accuracy of the book, I suggest you listen to Alan Leeds when he stated that it was fairly accurate. I don't remember the exact phrase, but he said that there was a lot of truth in the book.

Now, if you've got more experience with Prince, be my guest and lay down some science for us, but until then, lets allow the experts to have their say.

Bottom line:
1) Book is mostly accurate when it comes to Prince.
2) Alex doesn't have an ax to grind.
3) Alex defended UPTOWN, which stopped Prince in his tracks and probably is a reason we have the 'org and Housequake.
4) Alan Leeds, Prince's old manager, says the book is accurate.
5) Ya'll should plant lips on Alex's butt since he did it all for free.
6) Read the book. Borrow it from the library if you like, but read it.

Yount.

madhouseman said:

Thanks for posting this! You've interviewed many people involved in that book? That's interesting, anything else you'd like to share with us?

I actually really did enjoy the book, I loved the way it was written, there was a lot of interesting information in there, and it does give an insight into Prince's personality, at least in the beginning. My only problem was that it seemed overly negative, about his music especially, in the second part, but as you say, maybe that's how it was / seemed at the time, we have a different perspective now.

"To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men--that is genius" -- Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Few are worthy of the title "genius". This unusual breed is often shrouded in mystery, their personas overshadowed by the magnitude of their accomplishments. Many were misunderstood in their lietime, disparaged for their non-traditional thinking; their ideas too innovative for their time.

We are introduced to many of these famous men and women in the pages of dusty textbooks where it is easy to forget how truly revolutionary their thoughts and deeds once were. These are the people that allow us to marvel at the ability of our fellow man, who change our lives forver whether we know it or not.

Geniuses are not necessairly born with their brilliance intact, although much of their skill can be inherited from their parents. The ability of the genius is awakened by their environment, and sustained by their aptitude for hard work Internal conflict, the challenge of hard-thought intellectual inquiry, and even glory are some of the many factors that provoke the genius to act.

What we know is that every genius is endowed with extra-ordinary creative thinking abilities, often displaying a stunning grasp of logic and reasoning, with brains functioning at the farthest edge of human capacity. A truly rare being, the genius has a powerful mind that searches relentlessly for knowledge and understanding. Over time, their focus may narrow, and they seize upon and dissect a subject of endless interest to them. It is their unique abilities that allow them to move beyond simple mastery, to the point in which they can see the world in a way no one could have imagined.

Through this process, genius becomes exploration, its holders driven by restless curiosity into unchartered territory. Here, through determination, passion and astonishing brilliance, they set about shattering old beliefs, breaking new ground, and establishing order where none existed. These men and women of conviction see the world in entirely new ways, transcending limits while on a journey of courage and inner strength. But it is in our everyday world where we see the fruits of their labour, for genius is brilliance translated into action. It is achievement realised- a startling theory, a moving piece of music, a wondrous invention.

Intentionally or not, geniuses become leaders, lighting the way to a brighter future for the rest of humankind. They serve as an inspiration, a reminder of our innate potential. The genius shares his or her gifts with society, elevating our spirits and raising our sights. In return, he or she is not merely celebrated, but remembered for all time. They attain immortality, and our lives are forever enhanced y their momentous contributions.

http://www.abeautifulmind.com/main.html

Jeffiner said:

Yes! I laughed at that too! Prince was just "OK I'm gonna get whupped by my "Mum", guess I better take it or I'll be out on the streets." kinda thing.

Jeffiner said:

I want to make this clear. I did interview many of the same people that were interviewed for his book, but Alex did the vast majority of interviews for his book (and he got them from other sources as well). Some of my work was used, but his editorial slant on Prince was his and his alone. I also did many of the interviews for DMSR. That said, I had nothing to do with Alex's book and any interviews that I did that happened to be used were used on DMSR as well. Alex and I have never met and have only emailed each other a few times. I read it for the first time once it was published just like anyone else.

The interviews that I have conducted (with over 50 associates around Prince) were mostly for UPTOWN magazine, DMSR or one of the many publications that we've published. I have done some of these for a possible book about Prince's studio sessions, but that is something that I've brought up to the others at UPTOWN and I don't know if they are interested in doing something like that. If not, maybe down the road I'll do that as long as it doesn't interfere with what UPTOWN is creating.

Regarding my comments about everybody needing to be smooching Alex's butt, that was written partially in jest, but partially to explain to many of you that we all owe a debt of gratitude to him. Honestly, I doubt that the 'org would exist in this form if it wasn't for Alex's legal help. Keep that in mind when slicing him apart. He put in countless hours defending our right to publish and write about Prince in a way that is not censored by the man himself. Alex does deserve our thanx and appreciation. Read the book. Believe what you want to believe, but do yourself a favor and take the trip into Prince's world as seen thru many of those who worked with him.
[Edited 3/18/08 8:51am]

at the time of publication it's hard 2 say what musicology would turn out 2 b, if it failed then would it have been the right time? or just adding more dirt on the grave? and muisicology was only a success because it was the 20th anniversary of PR and the promise of the hits 4 the last time, well we all know how much of a lie that turned out 2 b.

not 2 cut in2 this thread but since u work closely with uptown, where the hell is the vault volume 2? it's been 3 years since uptown has down anything in this regard

L4OATheOriginal said:

I understand...that was my point. It was bad timing for Alex. It would have been even more on time if Musicology would have failed but... I'm not sure if the success had anything to do with the 20th anniversary because there was nothing really celebrating the 20th anniversary...it wasn't on TV, I think I saw 1 commercial, no specials, etc.. Maybe if P and WB were cool there would have been big press. I think the success was the performance on the Grammy's "WOW, I forgot about Prince" reactions and the stage show. Musicology was a great show. The hits thing had something to do with it as well. I remember Jay Leno asking him "is this it for real or like a Cher version?" Prince said "No, no (with a laugh) and said this is it. I have to make room for the new music."

Its all good...

L4OATheOriginal said:

I am not a spokesman for UPTOWN, and I don't claim to be but since you asked... I know that things are being worked on, but remember, if you want something new and worth buying, it is going to take some time to get it right. Everyone on the staff of UPTOWN has day jobs and families. UPTOWN is not a huge money maker and getting something on the market that is worth buying is very important to all of us. I can't speak for the others at UPTOWN but I can tell you that we have never wanted to just release something that is a rehash of something else we've already sold to you.

As in the past, whatever we do, it will be worth the wait!

L4OATheOriginal said:

I am not a spokesman for UPTOWN, and I don't claim to be but since you asked... I know that things are being worked on, but remember, if you want something new and worth buying, it is going to take some time to get it right. Everyone on the staff of UPTOWN has day jobs and families. UPTOWN is not a huge money maker and getting something on the market that is worth buying is very important to all of us. I can't speak for the others at UPTOWN but I can tell you that we have never wanted to just release something that is a rehash of something else we've already sold to you.

As in the past, whatever we do, it will be worth the wait!

prime said:

i get what ur saying, but if his publishing date was say january 2004 when it goes 2 press, then by the time of it's released, musicology tour takes off, it's not hahn's fault, it's just a case of timing.

as 4 what prince said on leno, i'm still waiting 4 his setlists 2 make that room 4 the new music...4 years later ..still waiting ...cause it sure won't happen in ireland

L4OATheOriginal said:

we're saying the same thing...

I feel ya with the set list but he will say that it's us who wants to hear the old stuff. He said in an interview with Chris Rock in 1996 that he wants to play the new stuff but Willy (us) wants to hear Kiss also....

don't remind me of that interview cause i was outside freezing my ass off at roseland with everyone else there. that night chris rock came onstage with prince and a few weeks later was the vh1 interview. had i known he was saying that shit about "willy wanna hear kiss" i would have at his ass saying mf i wanna hear style and joint 2 joint!!!

L4OATheOriginal said:

we're saying the same thing...

I feel ya with the set list but he will say that it's us who wants to hear the old stuff. He said in an interview with Chris Rock in 1996 that he wants to play the new stuff but Willy (us) wants to hear Kiss also....

prime said:

Sorry for butting in, but he actually said he could play Emancipation for a whole concert, but then referred to 'Willy' as another part of himself that also wants to play 'Kiss' for the people!

Listen to the interview again, that's definitely what he said!
[Edited 3/18/08 14:38pm]

Jeffiner said:

My bad...U r Right.... but who ever Willy is Kiss is stilled being played instead of something new ( or something not played often).

L4OATheOriginal said:

YES YES I feel ya

Was the interview before a concert or something? What were you waiting for?

Jeffiner said:

My bad...U r Right.... but who ever Willy is Kiss is stilled being played instead of something new ( or something not played often).