Javi said:

I can't trust Questlove since he said the stupid sentence: "I'm a Prince scholar and this is the best book written about Prince" (or something like that), regarding Touré's recent book. What does he want to say? He may be a "Prince scholar" (or may not), but that doesn't give him any special authority. Other "Prince scholars" may think the book, that states "Papa" was published in 1996 and that "All My Dreams" was published in the Black Album, and that derails in a weak argument about the so-called "Generation X", and that ignores completely Europe in its analysis, is quite average to say the least.

To be fair, some bootleged editions of The Black Album included "All My Dreams" as well as "Old Friends 4 Sale" as bonus tracks.

paulludvig said:

errant said:

of course he does. who else is he going to get such a throrough ass-lathering from?

?

where's the confusion?

that sounds like fun. i'd read it

2 Whom It May Concern: "The Beautiful Ones" is sooo not about Wendy's sister. Sheesh! In fact, NO song is. We all wish people would stop saying this. Listen closely to the wordz."-By some1 who would know....-FROM DR. FUNKENBERRY'S CELEBRITY NEWS PAGE

[Edited 7/25/13 17:53pm]

jaawwnn said:

TheEnglishGent said:

I really wouldn't want Prince anywhere near a Prince biography to be honest. It'll be the watered down JW tinted view of his life.

true, although it could be really fascinating to see them try and explain away Dirty Mind

He did speak about this in 2001 during the Celebration talks at Paisley Park, with 50 or so fans in the room, including me (and some friends from England--Hi Maria and Alex!!).

It's been some time since 2001 but I recall one of the fans asking him about "Sister", the

Dirty Mind album, and how he felt about them (in 2001). He was straight up about it saying he was embarrassed about some of the things he had done in his past(probably referring to "Sister") but he also said something about how it was all a learning experience and didn't have many regrets.

Prince was about 21 yrs old in 1980 when Dirty Mind was recorded. I wish the worst thing I'd ever done was record a song about my sister.

I can just imagine the final draft being censored by Prince with a black marker!!!

bashraka said:

2 Whom It May Concern: "The Beautiful Ones" is sooo not about Wendy's sister. Sheesh! In fact, NO song is. We all wish people would stop saying this. Listen closely to the wordz."-By some1 who would know....-FROM DR. FUNKENBERRY'S CELEBRITY NEWS PAGE

bashraka said:

paulludvig said:

I'm amazed that many think that Alan Leeds would be the right man to write a Prince bio. Alan Leeds is a disgruntled former employee. His brother is a disgruntled former employee, who plays in a band with disgruntled former employees, who's close family includes even more disgruntled former employees.

All of these disgruntled former employees have been the main source for all the books written about Prince to date. The book some of you are asking for has therefore already been written. We don't need yet another book based on stories told by disgruntled former employees.

These guys - the Leeds, The Melvoins, Coleman and a few others seem like a tight knit group. They speak with the same voice, and they have played their cards well. By making themself available to biographers, journalists and fans they have been able to control the narrative. The narrative being that Prince was a rather ignorant, but ambitious young man from the backwaters, semi-talented and hard working, helped along by his more sophisticated and talented friends from the big city. They have used their position to systematically undermine Prince as a musician and composer, to the point where many people today believe that they, and not Prince, were responible for the great work that Prince put out in the 80's.

Reading through interviews given by these folks at various times, you would be hard pressed to find any instances were they actually praise Prince as a musician, produser or composer, other than by backhanded compliments. They talk about his work ethic and ambission, they always give him that (maybe to downplay his talent), but rarely do you hear about his musical prowess.

Maybe they actually don't think his any good as a musicians, songwriter, producer and performer. Fair enough. Opinions differ. But should that be the final word on his talent?

We need a biographer who doesn't have an agenda. And that biographer must be someone who doesn't take everything that's being told to him at face value. For example - if someone claims that Eric Leeds introduced Prince to jazz, you have to ask the obvious question how is that possible when Prince's father was a jazz musician, a self styled Thelonious Monk? If someone wants you to believe that W&L introduced Prince to Joni Mitchell, despite Chris Moon's wife saying she let Prince listen to albums of female singer-songwriters as Janis Ian and Joni Mitchell in the late 70's, then you need to at least try to check the facts. If someone has the idea that Susannah came up with the idea to use Fishers strings on the Family album, you have to at least acknowledge that Prince already was a huge Chaka Khan and Rufus fan. And if Susannah mistakenly believes that Strange Realationship was written for her, why not try to find out when the song was actually written, and you'll find that it was written before he even met her. The list goes on.

[Edited 7/25/13 8:37am]

[Edited 7/25/13 8:55am]

[Edited 7/25/13 8:56am]

Excellent read paulludvig.... Wish u could be the one 2 write a book about his life

XNY said:

jaawwnn said:

true, although it could be really fascinating to see them try and explain away Dirty Mind

He did speak about this in 2001 during the Celebration talks at Paisley Park, with 50 or so fans in the room, including me (and some friends from England--Hi Maria and Alex!!).

It's been some time since 2001 but I recall one of the fans asking him about "Sister", the

Dirty Mind album, and how he felt about them (in 2001). He was straight up about it saying he was embarrassed about some of the things he had done in his past(probably referring to "Sister") but he also said something about how it was all a learning experience and didn't have many regrets.

Prince was about 21 yrs old in 1980 when Dirty Mind was recorded. I wish the worst thing I'd ever done was record a song about my sister.

haha very good point and thanks for the story.

I suppose i'm mainly surprised prince is suddenly willing to acknowledge his past outside of a live show. I know he changes his mind every 20 seconds but he's been fairly consistent in his refusal to speak in detail about the past. An entire book seems way out of character.

[Edited 7/26/13 1:34am]

paulludvig said:

We need a biographer who doesn't have an agenda.

Come on, you think you're going to get an unbiased read from an official PRINCE biography?

All this stuff about "disgruntled ex-employees systematically undermining his talents" -- why don't you write it, you might be just what Prince is looking for in a typist.

bashraka said:

pennylover said:

paulludvig said:

I'm amazed that many think that Alan Leeds would be the right man to write a Prince bio. Alan Leeds is a disgruntled former employee. His brother is a disgruntled former employee, who plays in a band with disgruntled former employees, who's close family includes even more disgruntled former employees.

All of these disgruntled former employees have been the main source for all the books written about Prince to date. The book some of you are asking for has therefore already been written. We don't need yet another book based on stories told by disgruntled former employees.

These guys - the Leeds, The Melvoins, Coleman and a few others seem like a tight knit group. They speak with the same voice, and they have played their cards well. By making themself available to biographers, journalists and fans they have been able to control the narrative. The narrative being that Prince was a rather ignorant, but ambitious young man from the backwaters, semi-talented and hard working, helped along by his more sophisticated and talented friends from the big city. They have used their position to systematically undermine Prince as a musician and composer, to the point where many people today believe that they, and not Prince, were responible for the great work that Prince put out in the 80's.

Reading through interviews given by these folks at various times, you would be hard pressed to find any instances were they actually praise Prince as a musician, produser or composer, other than by backhanded compliments. They talk about his work ethic and ambission, they always give him that (maybe to downplay his talent), but rarely do you hear about his musical prowess.

Maybe they actually don't think his any good as a musicians, songwriter, producer and performer. Fair enough. Opinions differ. But should that be the final word on his talent?

We need a biographer who doesn't have an agenda. And that biographer must be someone who doesn't take everything that's being told to him at face value. For example - if someone claims that Eric Leeds introduced Prince to jazz, you have to ask the obvious question how is that possible when Prince's father was a jazz musician, a self styled Thelonious Monk? If someone wants you to believe that W&L introduced Prince to Joni Mitchell, despite Chris Moon's wife saying she let Prince listen to albums of female singer-songwriters as Janis Ian and Joni Mitchell in the late 70's, then you need to at least try to check the facts. If someone has the idea that Susannah came up with the idea to use Fishers strings on the Family album, you have to at least acknowledge that Prince already was a huge Chaka Khan and Rufus fan. And if Susannah mistakenly believes that Strange Realationship was written for her, why not try to find out when the song was actually written, and you'll find that it was written before he even met her. The list goes on.

[Edited 7/25/13 8:37am]

[Edited 7/25/13 8:55am]

[Edited 7/25/13 8:56am]

Excellent read paulludvig.... Wish u could be the one 2 write a book about his life

------- "We need a biographer who doesn't have an agenda. And that biographer must be someone who doesn't take everything that's being told to him at face value. For example - if someone claims that Eric Leeds introduced Prince to jazz, you have to ask the obvious question how is that possible when Prince's father was a jazz musician, a self styled Thelonious Monk? If someone wants you to believe that W&L introduced Prince to Joni Mitchell, despite Chris Moon's wife saying she let Prince listen to albums of female singer-songwriters as Janis Ian and Joni Mitchell in the late 70's, then you need to at least try to check the facts. If someone has the idea that Susannah came up with the idea to use Fishers strings on the Family album, you have to at least acknowledge that Prince already was a huge Chaka Khan and Rufus fan. "

All of this is so true. I wanted someone to prove that none of this is true but you all know it is. If he decided to have a biography written he should check out Quincy Troupe the guy that wrote the Miles Davis bio. He should either have this book written or start speaking up for himself in interviews. He has been silent on some of this nosense that Paulludvig mentioned in his post and now many people think this crap is true.

purple1968 said:

pennylover said:

Excellent read paulludvig.... Wish u could be the one 2 write a book about his life

------- "We need a biographer who doesn't have an agenda. And that biographer must be someone who doesn't take everything that's being told to him at face value. For example - if someone claims that Eric Leeds introduced Prince to jazz, you have to ask the obvious question how is that possible when Prince's father was a jazz musician, a self styled Thelonious Monk? If someone wants you to believe that W&L introduced Prince to Joni Mitchell, despite Chris Moon's wife saying she let Prince listen to albums of female singer-songwriters as Janis Ian and Joni Mitchell in the late 70's, then you need to at least try to check the facts. If someone has the idea that Susannah came up with the idea to use Fishers strings on the Family album, you have to at least acknowledge that Prince already was a huge Chaka Khan and Rufus fan. "

All of this is so true. I wanted someone to prove that none of this is true but you all know it is. If he decided to have a biography written he should check out Quincy Troupe the guy that wrote the Miles Davis bio. He should either have this book written or start speaking up for himself in interviews. He has been silent on some of this nosense that Paulludvig mentioned in his post and now many people think this crap is true.

Co-sign.

Gohi said:

dafuzz said:

bashraka said:

I was shocked when Doc said Prince wants Questlove involved in writing about his life. Questlove's problem is that he seems like TOO MUCH OF A FAN and has an inflated sense of importance especially when it comes to P's career. Alan Leeds would be a better author and his personality is cool and collected and doesn't have an agenda.

Wouldn't ya think If Prince was really serious he'd call Questlove? I'm sure he's got them digits. This funkberry cat is on prince's ----! Ricky Vincent, Alan leeds or Nelson George would be best.

I'm sure you and all the other women here on the org that are jealous would be on his ---- too so you can't blame the guy. Plus he is nice.

All these books just make me not to every want to read a book about Prince again. Nobody can really ever write a good one and I bet that is just the way he likes it.

Empress said:

tab32792 said:

bashraka said:

2 Whom It May Concern: "The Beautiful Ones" is sooo not about Wendy's sister. Sheesh! In fact, NO song is. We all wish people would stop saying this. Listen closely to the wordz."-By some1 who would know....-FROM DR. FUNKENBERRY'S CELEBRITY NEWS PAGE

[Edited 7/25/13 17:53pm]

So...everybody's been wrong all these years? Or he's just talking more nonsense?

-------- This is exactly what some of us are talking about. How is it nonsense when he wrote the damm song? How would any of you feel if some old girlfriend was going about you some 25 years after the relationship ended. It is ridculous and I am glad he is thinking about addressing some of this stuff.

tab32792 said:

bashraka said:

2 Whom It May Concern: "The Beautiful Ones" is sooo not about Wendy's sister. Sheesh! In fact, NO song is. We all wish people would stop saying this. Listen closely to the wordz."-By some1 who would know....-FROM DR. FUNKENBERRY'S CELEBRITY NEWS PAGE

[Edited 7/25/13 17:53pm]

So...everybody's been wrong all these years? Or he's just talking more nonsense?

Or its another "I never threw the guitar" moment...

Someone just mentioned it. The reason why Toure and former associates of Prince are controlling the narrative of Prince's legacy is because Prince has remained silent on aspects of Prince's life, these associates are waxing poetic about. Dr. Funkenberry said he will be at the Grammy Museum symposium about Prince August 14th in L.A. and hopes to be on the panel to speak on behalf of Prince. All that is good, Prince can disarm a lot of the unsubstantiated opinions about his music and life by giving an interview to someone like Tavis Smiley. What Funkenberry posted about "The Beautiful Ones" not being about Susannah is interesting. Who better to answer questions about his own creativity than the man who was behind those recordings.

tab32792 said:

bashraka said:

Who better to answer questions about his own creativity than the man who was behind those recordings.

That's fair enough if he answers questions about his career in the way any other artist with their feet on the ground would, but that's pretty rare for Prince - it's usually wrapped up psychobabble or deflected with a comment about living in the present and not the past.

.

Which reminds me how many times I see the "Prince doesn't live in the past" guff spouted on here - so why anyone who says that is so hot for an official (auto)biography I don't know; can't have it both ways.

.

.

.

.

bashraka said:

2 Whom It May Concern: "The Beautiful Ones" is sooo not about Wendy's sister. Sheesh! In fact, NO song is. We all wish people would stop saying this. Listen closely to the wordz."-By some1 who would know....-FROM DR. FUNKENBERRY'S CELEBRITY NEWS PAGE

Some of you must be high or something if you believe this.

.

.

[Edited 7/26/13 7:42am]

NouveauDance said:

bashraka said:

Who better to answer questions about his own creativity than the man who was behind those recordings.

That's fair enough if he answers questions about his career in the way any other artist with their feet on the ground would, but that's pretty rare for Prince - it's usually wrapped up psychobabble or deflected with a comment about living in the present and not the past.

.

Which reminds me how many times I see the "Prince doesn't live in the past" guff spouted on here - so why anyone who says that is so hot for an official (auto)biography I don't know; can't have it both ways.

.

.

.

.

bashraka said:

2 Whom It May Concern: "The Beautiful Ones" is sooo not about Wendy's sister. Sheesh! In fact, NO song is. We all wish people would stop saying this. Listen closely to the wordz."-By some1 who would know....-FROM DR. FUNKENBERRY'S CELEBRITY NEWS PAGE

Some of you must be high or something if you believe this.

.

.

[Edited 7/26/13 7:42am]

-------- No you are the one that is high. You are so quick to believe an ex-girlfriend over the writer of the song. The guy had a half dozen women he juggling at the same time. My guess is he told them what they wanted to hear and in the end he is the only one who knows what or who the songs are about it. It really goes back to the absurdity of taking everything these disgruntled people have to say seriously with no real questions about their motives or credibility. It is just as stupid as beliving that someone had to introduce P to jazz because he had never heard any in life despite his father being a jazz musician. WTF would make anyone make such a statement but total arrogance.

NouveauDance said:

bashraka said:

Who better to answer questions about his own creativity than the man who was behind those recordings.

That's fair enough if he answers questions about his career in the way any other artist with their feet on the ground would, but that's pretty rare for Prince - it's usually wrapped up psychobabble or deflected with a comment about living in the present and not the past.

.

Which reminds me how many times I see the "Prince doesn't live in the past" guff spouted on here - so why anyone who says that is so hot for an official (auto)biography I don't know; can't have it both ways.

.

.

.

.

bashraka said:

2 Whom It May Concern: "The Beautiful Ones" is sooo not about Wendy's sister. Sheesh! In fact, NO song is. We all wish people would stop saying this. Listen closely to the wordz."-By some1 who would know....-FROM DR. FUNKENBERRY'S CELEBRITY NEWS PAGE

Some of you must be high or something if you believe this.

.

.

[Edited 7/26/13 7:42am]

I think that comment was Prince's way of knocking Sussanah's ego down a peg. It wouldn't surprise me if Prince has been seething that members of fDeluxe has been talking openly about Prince and opining about the motivations of his songs, that he used Funkenberry's blog to take a jab.

bashraka said:

NouveauDance said:

Some of you must be high or something if you believe this.

.

.

[Edited 7/26/13 7:42am]

I think that comment was Prince's way of knocking Sussanah's ego down a peg. It wouldn't surprise me if Prince has been seething that members of fDeluxe has been talking openly about Prince and opining about the motivations of his songs, that he used Funkenberry's blog to take a jab.

-------- I am certain that he is tired of them by this time. A side project gone crazy. I blame him for putting every girlfriend in a band or getting them record deals.

That shit would not be a biography. It would be a 300 page advertisement.



A memoir is often penned so that a person can frame ( or reframe in the case of politicians ) how history will view them. There are always hidden agendas (or blatant ones) in memoirs.


A biography, at least a good one, is unflynching and shows the bad with the good. I reallly can't see Prince being open to that.


Questlove and Funkenberry would be in a position to essentially right a quizi-bio in the spirit of a memoir. No thanks.



Get Walter Isaacson to do it, and now we're talking.