DieselsDen said:

Your book was one of the most insightful and informative I've ever read. I appreciated your objective points of view, and ability to analyze the man and his music. It gave me a greater appreciation of this enigmatic artist and I recommend it absolutely. Thank you for posting!

Incredibly kind and supportive to say, thanks very much.

TheFreakerFantastic said:

Can you confirm one thing? I remember in the book you mentioned back in April 96 Prince had to get medical help due to palpitations and I think painkillers. Was that also April 21st as I have been reading? That would seem odd. Hmm... [Edited 5/5/16 17:48pm] [Edited 5/5/16 17:48pm]

This coincidence I found very strange indeed and chilling.

beachy said:

Wow you must be very proud of your mother Alex. She accomplished so much. Those books look amazing and on such serious topics. It's great that she got to see the cover before she ascended.

Very nice of you to say, Beachy. I appreciate your taking a look at it. She was really in her prime and a voice for the dispossessed, as it were. Thank you.

AlexHahn said:

TheFreakerFantastic said:

Can you confirm one thing? I remember in the book you mentioned back in April 96 Prince had to get medical help due to palpitations and I think painkillers. Was that also April 21st as I have been reading? That would seem odd. Hmm... [Edited 5/5/16 17:48pm] [Edited 5/5/16 17:48pm]

This coincidence I found very strange indeed and chilling.

It´s also the day Sometimes It Snows In April was recorded. But I bet you knew that already.

-

Don´t let the negative criticism bring you down, take it as an inspriation to work on the few flaws that the first book had and just improve on it, write a new version or a second part.

Remember that even Per Nilsen´s great first book contained some minor errors that were changed in later editions.

I enjoyed reading your book but I had no expectations because I had read so many negative reviews here on the org before I actually read it, so I was warned and had very low or zero expectations, and I must say I actually liked reading it for various reasons.

I don´t think it was as bad as people say it was, and I think as controversial as it is, it is one of the better biographies that´s out there.

But I can also understand why some fans don´t like it.

AlexHahn said:

Possessed was out of print a while ago, and copies are hard to find. It's extremely expensive on Amazon.

I'm trying to figure out how to do an electronic release. I plan to add new material, accomplish appropriate revisions, and probably re-title a book whose title obviously is ill-suited to this moment.

- I always wanted to read your book, but I dont have a credit card and I live in Brasil, so I postponed buying it. Please let us know if it´s re-released in any way.

Many thanks for posting Alex, and sincere condoleances for your mother.

.

Possessed had been a great reading for me at the time. To be honest I was a bit baffled by the "rise and fall" title/concept, and sometimes while reading the book I had the impression (right or wrong) that because you had chosen this angle, you had to make a point that Prince had been in decline, as a person and as an artist. This was of course your perpective and I understand this, but it certainly wasn't mine as a fan, and I probably would have enjoyed a more objective narration, such as Per's DMSR. Nevertheless it was an amazing continuation of Per's work, very informative particularly for Prince's post-1987 career.

.

I would certainly enjoy reading an updated, maybe less "rise and fall" oriented version of the book if you ever feel it's possible for you to continue this work. Another thing is that because of confidentiality clauses, post 80's former Prince associates and bandmembers seemed to be less eager to talk than their predecessors, and Prince's career and recording process is much less documented from the 90's on than earlier. Hopefully people will be more willing to talk now. It is also true that biographers and researchers showed less interest in Prince's later career than in his earlier, glory years, and I respect that, but as someone who was interested in his work till the very end, I certainly would love to know more about his post-1995 life and creative process.

.

Whetever happens next I am very grateful for the hard work you have put in this project back then.

AlexHahn said:

TheFreakerFantastic said:

Can you confirm one thing? I remember in the book you mentioned back in April 96 Prince had to get medical help due to palpitations and I think painkillers. Was that also April 21st as I have been reading? That would seem odd. Hmm... [Edited 5/5/16 17:48pm] [Edited 5/5/16 17:48pm]

This coincidence I found very strange indeed and chilling.

Yes very odd, I even looked at your book again to confirm and found the reference on P.212. It cetainly did seem a bit chilling to see it was the actual same date!

I hope you continue the book to cover the remainder of his life as I found it highly readable and interesting!

[Edited 5/9/16 10:01am]

Krystalkisses said:

Hi Alex. I just wanted to say thank you for posting and sharing your thoughts after the tragic death of Prince. I have been a long time fan but have not been keeping tabs on Prince in recent years. I just wanted to say I thought your biography on Prince has been the best to date and I still own my copy. Since Prince's death I have re read it and I am excited for a revised edition. I really liked how you kept it real and honest and I didn't view it as a hatchet job. I thought the critique was well needed as some Prince fans can be too fawning and not objective about his work. I really hope you are able to review his life and work during the previous decade in depth as I was a huge fan then ( although I became a fan very young in 1993 ) but finally saw him in concert starting in 2006. Anyway I am sorry for your losses this year. Hopefully your writing will help you to deal with your grief.

Thanks very much for the kind words and encouragement, I appreciate it.

I am adding some material but it will not be granular reporting on the 2004-2016 period, but rather highlights. The book will also include a prologue that deals with the events of 2016. That part has been very painful to write. I am having dreams about Prince and meanwhile my grandmother just died as well.

Not only have many people on the org such as yourself been extremely supportive, but a couple of people have written to offer with ideas and research. Really helpful.

This whole thing has been a reminder of how challenging writing is. But again I appreciate the support!

Alex

Thank you, Mr. Hahn, and you have my condolences.

My sympathy for the loss of your mother Mr. Hahn.

Hahn sent me an orgnote asking me for inside info on Troy Beyer's supposed abortion of Prince's baby that was printed in the USA Today newspaper. He hit me up for inside info not knowing who I was or if what information that I had was true or not. Now if that happened to me and he asked me for information then who did he ask for other information that is now quoted here as fact like the drug issues in 2001. I damn near didn't buy the book because that's shoddy journalism.

Now Prince Rogers Nelson was a human being with human faults and I think now in his death there is no doubt of that, however just like the rest of the vultures that are flying low Hahn appears to "write the rest of the story..."

As for the "book" I found it ,on a scale of one to ten, a five.

The book is a decent book a few good pictures, a few stories, and gossip. I prefered Dance,Music,Sex, Romance and Per's books to better. I liked Prince Behind the Masks, Toure's book,A Pop Life ,and Purple Reign better.

I am not surprised.

muleFunk said:

Hahn sent me an orgnote asking me for inside info on Troy Beyer's supposed abortion of Prince's baby that was printed in the USA Today newspaper. He hit me up for inside info not knowing who I was or if what information that I had was true or not.

wow..thats weird and shameful imho

Hello Alex, I am a huge Prince supporter and I have been wanting to purchase your book for a while now. Sad to hear I cannot easily purchase it and if I do it's at such an inflated price, man. But I just wanted to tell you I will support your next revised version and spread the word to others to buy. I cannot wait for it to come out please keep us all posted on the org on the release date.

I also wanted to say I am sorry for your loss of your mother. I lost my mother on Valentine's day in 2015, so I can imagine how you are feeling and the loss of Prince. Continue to stay strong and thank you for the posts.

Iamtheorg said:

muleFunk said:

Hahn sent me an orgnote asking me for inside info on Troy Beyer's supposed abortion of Prince's baby that was printed in the USA Today newspaper. He hit me up for inside info not knowing who I was or if what information that I had was true or not.

wow..thats weird and shameful imho

If you are quoting 3rd hand information then how can the book be taken seriously.

There are some people who take this book to be gospel just because it's critical but I laugh at much of it because it's subtle ax grinding bitterness.

muleFunk said:

Iamtheorg said:

wow..thats weird and shameful imho

If you are quoting 3rd hand information then how can the book be taken seriously.

There are some people who take this book to be gospel just because it's critical but I laugh at much of it because it's subtle ax grinding bitterness.

My friend, with great respect you must be confusing me with someone else. That's not something I ever inquired of you about, and it's not a subject I would be interested in. I wish you the best but again it's not accurate, and there must be a misunderstanding.

AlexHahn said:

muleFunk said:

If you are quoting 3rd hand information then how can the book be taken seriously.

There are some people who take this book to be gospel just because it's critical but I laugh at much of it because it's subtle ax grinding bitterness.

My friend, with great respect you must be confusing me with someone else. That's not something I ever inquired of you about, and it's not a subject I would be interested in. I wish you the best but again it's not accurate, and there must be a misunderstanding.

It was you. If the org kept notes around I could prove it.

Joined: June 2nd 2016

AnnaStesia10 said:

Hello Alex, I am a huge Prince supporter and I have been wanting to purchase your book for a while now. Sad to hear I cannot easily purchase it and if I do it's at such an inflated price, man. But I just wanted to tell you I will support your next revised version and spread the word to others to buy. I cannot wait for it to come out please keep us all posted on the org on the release date.

I also wanted to say I am sorry for your loss of your mother. I lost my mother on Valentine's day in 2015, so I can imagine how you are feeling and the loss of Prince. Continue to stay strong and thank you for the posts.

Thank you very much, Anna. My condolences to you as well. We lost our Moms in the same month of the year. Hard stuff. I am starting to feel a little bit better -- well, that is not the right word, but grief changes. It oscillates in diferent ways.

Writing about Prince again has been in some ways therapeutic, in others difficult. It is making me appreciate him all the more, I will say that.

Thank you again.

AnnaStesia10 said:

Hello Alex, I am a huge Prince supporter and I have been wanting to purchase your book for a while now. Sad to hear I cannot easily purchase it and if I do it's at such an inflated price, man. But I just wanted to tell you I will support your next revised version and spread the word to others to buy. I cannot wait for it to come out please keep us all posted on the org on the release date.

I also wanted to say I am sorry for your loss of your mother. I lost my mother on Valentine's day in 2015, so I can imagine how you are feeling and the loss of Prince. Continue to stay strong and thank you for the posts.

I again appreciate people’s support and wanted to give you a couple of updates.

Hannibal, the company that did a German translation of Possessed in 2005, is doing a new version.

This was actually in the works without my knowledge via the U.S. company that originally published the book. However, when I learned of this, I agreed to go along with it and provided some new material to Hannibal. They did a great job the first time around. I believe the new German translation will be out in a couple of weeks.

Meanwhile, I have been working very hard on an update and edit to the U.S. edition. Fortunately, I was able to get my copyright back from the U.S. publisher, so I can do what I want.

The book is under consideration for publication by a reputable ebook publisher. However, my strong inclination at this point is to self-publish the book so that I can retain editorial control. The U.S. publisher did absolutely nothing to help me reach an audience. Their contract gave them 90 percent of the profits. And there were no profits, because they were not able to get the book into stores in a timely fashion.

All of which is to say that the mainstream U.S. publishing model is a joke. Everything that Prince said about the music industry applies to it.

As far as adding new material to the book, I am really enjoying doing so. There is a wealth of new information now in the public domain, which is a huge help, including some very illuminating early interviews.

The subtitle of the book is no longer going to be “the Rise of Fall of Prince.” It is no longer applicable. I’m trying to figure out what the subtitle will be. I believe the overall tone of the book will be viewed as more positive about Prince than the original, and certainly my own feelings right now reflect gratitude for his work and regret about his loss. But nonetheless, it is a candid and unauthorized biography.

One final question. Does anyone know of any photographs of Prince in the public domain that they feel would be a suitable for a cover?

People on the org have been extremely helpful and generous and offering ideas and guidance. Thank you.

AlexHahn said:

I again appreciate people’s support and wanted to give you a couple of updates.

Hannibal, the company that did a German translation of Possessed in 2005, is doing a new version.

This was actually in the works without my knowledge via the U.S. company that originally published the book. However, when I learned of this, I agreed to go along with it and provided some new material to Hannibal. They did a great job the first time around. I believe the new German translation will be out in a couple of weeks.

Meanwhile, I have been working very hard on an update and edit to the U.S. edition. Fortunately, I was able to get my copyright back from the U.S. publisher, so I can do what I want.

The book is under consideration for publication by a reputable ebook publisher. However, my strong inclination at this point is to self-publish the book so that I can retain editorial control. The U.S. publisher did absolutely nothing to help me reach an audience. Their contract gave them 90 percent of the profits. And there were no profits, because they were not able to get the book into stores in a timely fashion.

All of which is to say that the mainstream U.S. publishing model is a joke. Everything that Prince said about the music industry applies to it.

As far as adding new material to the book, I am really enjoying doing so. There is a wealth of new information now in the public domain, which is a huge help, including some very illuminating early interviews.

The subtitle of the book is no longer going to be “the Rise of Fall of Prince.” It is no longer applicable. I’m trying to figure out what the subtitle will be. I believe the overall tone of the book will be viewed as more positive about Prince than the original, and certainly my own feelings right now reflect gratitude for his work and regret about his loss. But nonetheless, it is a candid and unauthorized biography.

One final question. Does anyone know of any photographs of Prince in the public domain that they feel would be a suitable for a cover?

People on the org have been extremely helpful and generous and offering ideas and guidance. Thank you.

Always loved this

Guitarhero said:

AlexHahn said:

Mrfrog said:

Hey Alex, long time buddy. It was fun helping you with research for that book Alex. I thought your book came off great and it is still in my top 5 favorite Prince books, up there with the work from Per Nilsen and the rest of the Uptown staff. I miss those days a lot.

I think you are going to enjoy my book (PRINCE: The Complete Studio Sessions - 1983/84). I finished it in March. I started a fb page to get info out there about release dates, etc. (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1091596104195943/).

Duane

madhouseman said:

Hey Alex, long time buddy. It was fun helping you with research for that book Alex. I thought your book came off great and it is still in my top 5 favorite Prince books, up there with the work from Per Nilsen and the rest of the Uptown staff. I miss those days a lot.

I think you are going to enjoy my book (PRINCE: The Complete Studio Sessions - 1983/84). I finished it in March. I started a fb page to get info out there about release dates, etc. (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1091596104195943/).

Duane

I have heard about this book, sounds very exciting, look forward to seeing it.

AlexHahn said:

madhouseman said:

Hey Alex, long time buddy. It was fun helping you with research for that book Alex. I thought your book came off great and it is still in my top 5 favorite Prince books, up there with the work from Per Nilsen and the rest of the Uptown staff. I miss those days a lot.

I think you are going to enjoy my book (PRINCE: The Complete Studio Sessions - 1983/84). I finished it in March. I started a fb page to get info out there about release dates, etc. (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1091596104195943/).

Duane

I have heard about this book, sounds very exciting, look forward to seeing it.

thanx. I was something we talked about way back in the day while we were all working for Uptown. I remember thinking it would be cool to do, but a huge task, so I just focused on 1983/84 and the entire story of Prince's rise is told through that lense.

Glad you are well and I'm looking forward to seeing any update you do.