Yeaaa Deja, you saw the light..lol.

Bottomline: Prince was (is?) a very troubled, whiny, self-absourbed, chauvanistic (at times), spoiled brat with a ton of issues. In other words, he was (is?) a not-so-pleasant human being.
Would I want him as a friend, HELL NO!

Why y'all are acting like this now baffles me, didn't you guys know he was already like this?
[This message was edited Mon Jul 7 18:02:19 PDT 2003 by lovebizzare]

2freaky4church1 said:

i've seen the light waaay before this propahahndist shit you're muddlin through, kid...

JIMMYNUTHIN said:

that actually might be a good idea, Mark Brown is actually quite truthful about his time with Prince

There are people who have suggested that if the book was not true that Prince would sue. Not true. It is the hardest thing for a celebrity to sue about something written and win. Also would you try to sue a lawyer??? In addition Hahn would have to be rather wealthy to make it worth Prince's expense and time. So from every angle a lawsuit would be a very bad idea. Hahn being a lawyer knows this. If Prince has good council they probably just advised him to ignore it and it will go away. Prince has not commented because its the best thing to do. Besides it is just more publicity for Prince.
Prince's music will last forever. Hahn's book will eventually go out of print or be recycled as toilet paper or both.
Truth is I would like to know more about Alex Hahn myself. What is his religion? Does he get a lot of attention from women/men/lovers or is he sexualy frustrated or is he totally satisfied in a monogamous relationship? Next time you read this book ask yourself what is the author really like? What are his beliefs? - Alex if you read this feel free to respond. I think this book and all books tell as much about their writers as they do about the subjects. Even our posts tell a lot about us.

Let me be clear I do not think Alex is a "bad person", but one has to think that for Alex to write such a book would be like Marscha Clark writing a book on OJ Simpson. In other words, I think when you read this book you have to look at it critically. Can someone who performed the duties as opposing council in a lawsuit really write an objective biograpy? . . . Is Hahn attempting to write an objective biography?

As for those who critisize Prince's womanizing. Prince never hid that he has a battle between the spiritual and the sexual. This is an internal battle many people (especially indiviuals with a high sex-drive) face if they have been raised in a judeo-christian tradition which traditionally denegrates sex and women and puts sexuality at odds which spirituality. Which I feel is one of its biggest conflicts. Not all religions share this view. I believe a person can be both spiritual and sexual... and not just in a monogamous/marital sense.
In the final analysis though, Hahn says he wrote this book because he had/has an interest in Prince. Hmmm. the fellow who shot John Lennon was by all accounts a big fan of Lennon and the Beatles. Does Hahn have an ax to grind and is attempting character assasination of his idol or is he just revealing what he believes to be the truth? You be the judge.

DonRants said:

tears rolling down eyes.. beautiful

DonRants "...like Marsha Clark writing a book about O.J. Simpson."

CLASSIC !

Hahn's credibility is shot when he reveals he was Uptown's lawyer.Even if his facts are 99% accurate,I would have trouble believing him.

I found out back in 1988 that Prince was sleeping with Shiela E,Cat,Sheena Easton,Anna Fantastic,Boni, and other unknowns.

I found out that Prince later got Troy Beyer(?) knocked up and she was later seen at a women's clinic in LA.

I found out Prince likes to drink.
I found out later that ...

Prince supported the Marva Collins school in Chicago.
Prince helped a family in St Paul after their home burned.
Helped out George Clinton when he NEEDED a hand.


There is good and bad in everyone.The defining moment will come in a persons life when they will choose to continue or stop and make amends.

Alex & Prince are probably hearing cha-ching right now while all we are hearing is these keyboard keys click.

Alex wrote a fairly accurate book. I think it is a rounded view of Prince. I don't understand how some people are shocked to find out that Prince can be a bit of a prick sometimes. Over the last few years, Alex was a hero to the community. He saved UPTOWN magazine from going under. UPTOWN is the longest running magazine about Prince EVER! It has run longer than Controversy, The PRince Family Newsletter and the NPG Mag!

UPTOWN doesn't sugarcoat issues like Controversy and NPG did, it reports them in a well written, well researched manner. Granted, UPTOWN had NOTHING to do with Alex's book, but he used some of the interviews that had been conducted for them. Personally, I wish he had used more quotes and focused more on the music, but I think it was a fairly insightful book and he seemed to be able to get more press than most of Prince's last few albums.

Prince has fallen, but he can get back up. There is no one that questions that his popularity isn't what it was. That was the meaning of the title. Maybe it was a poor choice to some, but there is no denying that Prince's popularity has drastically eroded.

I don't understand the Prince fans out there. Someone takes a great deal of time to research and write a book that they KNOW won't sell too many copies, and some people refuse to even read it before they complain? Go to the library. Check it out.

Just remember, Alex was/is a Godsend to UPTOWN. Without his help (for free), there would be no magazine. His work for UPTOWN made it possible for others (including Prince.org) to continue with little fear of Londell bringing down the hammer-either directly or indirectly.

Criticize the book, the typos, the innaccuracies, and the simple fuckups, but remember that Alex never expected to get rich on a book like this. It was written because the story was so entertaining, he wanted to let everyone know the full story as he knew it.

Just
wait
til'
MAYTE
writes
a
book

madhouseman said:

Well said that man

Another key point that some seem to be missing is that Alex is not just a random lawyer paid by Uptown. He was / is a genuine fan of prince's music who was an Uptown subscriber when he heard what was happening.

He then convinced his bosses to take the case on pro-bono. OK, he might have learned more about Prince in the time of the lawsuit but as fans any of us have the right to publish our own thoughts and findings.

Those of you on here who feel its in your rights to judge Alex there's an easy solution - MAKE THE EFFORT TO WRITE YOUR OWN BOOK ABOUT PRINCE !

If Prince sued he would give Hahn publicity. As it currently stands Hahn may well be capable legally, but he is a lousy writer and the general public couldn't care less about his 'little book'. Even the majority of the critics who reviewed the publication trashed it.

Rumours are notoriously difficult to verify. But even if Prince did claim to be 'religious' and slept with numerous women so what? Prince is married now and has chosen to be a Jehovah's Witness. Prior to that, he was studying the Bible and like many others was in a transitional phase between his former life and his new one. Besides, millions of Catholics and Protestants claim to be religious and commit adultery and fornication. No-one says anything about them.

Having stated that, its not about the man its about the music.

It certainly is not about some pimply, wanna-be writer who has a grudge.

Mr7 said:

No need to bring me into this !!





shame not everyone on here feels that way though Mr7

JIMMYNUTHIN said:

I agree with everything you said,especially the part about "genuises usually are eccentric".A few years ago,I read a book about Marvin Gaye.His life and career was filled with drama,numerous lovers,wives,financial problems,drugs,abandoned album projects,etc.It was not a pretty picture.But it doesn't make me less of a fan.I still love his music.I can't see why so many fans are shocked and angered at the stuff Alex is discussing in his book.Face it,Prince is a musical genuis with amazing talents,but he has his "issues" and can be a total prick at times.You don't even need to take Alex's word for it.Just ask many of his former lovers,friends,proteges,managers,business associates,etc (many of whom are quoted in the book).

Mr7 said:

The general public also couldn't care less about Prince these days.Ask yourself,would ANY book about Prince make the bestseller list in 2003?

so remind me again why are some so surprised with these 'revelations', he's human and like many of the greats in music he has a bad side. Whilst i hace not read the book yet it seems that it is viewed as a very negative one sided look at Prince. The simple fact is that Prince is human, he has made mistakes, seems tobe learning and growing up a bit and we really all by now should know the deal with him. Just get on the ride for the music and let the man sort our his own issues.

Although I have great repect for the people at Uptown and the Org the fundamental issue with the lawsuits is ownership & copyrights.

Uptown published several bootleg issues which on a small scale was a copyright violation.If Prince was smart he would have discussed this with the magazine before issuing lawsuits.

Looking at television this morning I saw were Spike Lee sued a television network for calling its programming "Spike-TV".He won the case and now the network has agreed to pay for the use of the name "Spike-Tv".

Now Uptown's situation was somewhat different than this ,Uptown was printing info on bootleg recordings.This secondhandedly infringed on Prince's ability to make money.Uptown didnot mean any harm by this.Uptown just wanted a forum for Prince's music,not to do harm to Prince.

I think that the whole thing was overblown by Prince's legal team and the backlash was felt.However I do think it's been 3 years,and let this dog die.

To those such as madhouseman who offered kind words both about my representation of Uptown and the book, thank you! It's nice to hear. I also appreciate the constructive criticism people have offered about the book.

With respect to the questions DonRants posed about my religion, sexuality, and so forth, as a general matter I would have no problem discussing these things, but I feel like the tone of his post -- as well as some of the others criticizing the book -- was less than completely respectful, and leaves me uninterested in continuing a dialogue. I'm willing to take criticism, but to state that my book should be "recycled as toilet paper" and in the same breadth to try to initiate a dialogue about how my religious/sexual views colored the book is not necessarily to set the stage for a healthy exchange of views.

I'll leave it at that.

I just ordered the book from Amazon, hope it is good summer reading

I'm sorry they are being so mean to you Alex; I for one am troubled by your book, but enjoyed it. They have stars in their eyes about Prince, because they do not want to admit that his talent is history. Let's be easy on them Alex, they live in the 80's. lol. Them parachute pants hurtin my eyes.

I am perplexed by the negative reaction to "Possessed." I found the book to be essential to my understanding of the man behind the music I enjoy so much. Alex Hahn's analysis of the music AND the artist to be well constructed, explaining a great deal of the successes, failures, and mysteries of Prince's musical career. It actually reminds me a lot of DMSR, but it pushes past the 80's and brings the reader into the more mysterious present.

This book could not have been written by someone who has not been inspired by the energy and artistry of Prince. In my opinion, Alex Hahn is a true fan. His opinions, unlike so many others here at the org, are based on research and careful analysis. I would encourage anyone who considers themselves to be Prince fan, "fam," devotee, etc., to read this book. Chances are, you'll learn a lot.

Alex Hahn's "Possessed"

TheMax, let's get around ole Alex here in love.

thebumpsquad said:

God U are SO right Bumpsquad.
Man, why didnt I see that?
U are SO observant.

U STUPID COW

Well, Eric Leeds needs to make money, so

bananacologne said:

Don't say fuck or bugger!
We're live?
WELCOME...

boy

---

Hey Alex ,

Laughing all the way to the bank.

Jew Hater ?
Great leap bro ?

Nowhere in the book is it contended that Prince is a "jew-hater." I would not make such an assertion, and do not personally believe this to be true. I know that Alan Leeds, who is Jewish, certainly does not consider Prince an anti-Semite.

I did point out in the book that some of the lyrics of "Family Name" and "Muse 2 the Pharaoh" have anti-Semetic overtones, and reference is made on Page 241 to a conversation between Prince and Larry Graham that arguably had such overtones as well.

What I have tried to do is present information and allow the reader to draw conclusions. If you want my personal opinion, I don't think Prince is an anti-Semite or a bigot. I do think some of his actions and words are in contrast the messages of inclusiveness that once characterized his lyrics.

People are free to interpret the information in the book anyway they wish. I, for one, was not shocked by what I learned about Prince because I had long believed him to be a conflicted, confused person -- like so many of us, myself included. He has his foibles and has engaged in plenty of moments of pettiness, making him no different than virtually everyone else. His talents, energy and fame in many ways magnify his mistakes and quirks, but that doesn't make him a "bad person."

My comment is for 2freaky4church1...can you please explain what you mean when you say Prince's talent is history? How can his talent be history? I would think that anyone that continues to play and write can't possibly "loose" their talent. Prince may have been at his highest level of popularity in the 80's, but he has not lost any of this talent. Can you please be more specific as to what you really meant by your comment??

Surprise, surprise

Prince Rogers Nelson is only a human being with a bucket full of musical brilliancy...

How can you call somebody a genius and expect him to be like an angel ?
Have a good look at the history of geniuses, then you'll see.


Also pls. excuse my question, because I don't know: Who is Alex Hahn? How come he knows so much about Prince? Are the facts everybody is talking about reliable?


BTW I don't know that book and I am not interested to read it. I love DOW () and I also have "A Pop Life" (). That's enough for me to know, the rest is plenty of music.

Confusion .

muleFunk said:

Whoa!

Is all of this in Hahn's book?