Prince: Purple Reign

by Mick Wall

Prince was an icon. A man who defined an era of music and changed the shape of popular culture forever. There is no doubt that he was one of the most talented and influential artists of all time, and also one of the most mysterious. On 21st April 2016 the world lost its Prince; it was the day the music died.

This book will open a door to Prince's world like never before - from his traumatic childhood and demonic pursuit of music as a means of escape, to his rise to superstardom, professional rivalries and marriages shrouded in tragedy, internationally bestselling music writer Mick Wall explores the historical, cultural and personal backdrop that gave rise to an artist the likes of which the world has never seen - and never will again.

Mick, a lifelong Prince fan, was one of the first UK journalists to ever write about this enigmatic star, and it was his story that put Prince on the cover of Kerrang magazine in 1984 and inspired the biggest mailbag of letters the magazine has ever had. As Prince sang in '7', 'no one in the whole universe will ever compare', and this book is a shining tribute to the forever incomparable Prince.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography, Music Biography, Memoir

208 pages, Paperback

First published July 28, 2016

About the author

Mick Wall is an author, journalist, film, television and radio writer-producer, who’s worked inside the music industry for over 35 years. He began his career contributing to the music weekly Sounds in 1977, where he wrote about punk and the new wave, and then rockabilly, funk, New Romantic pop and, eventually, hard rock and heavy metal. By 1983, Wall become one of the main journalists in the early days of Kerrang! magazine, where he was their star cover story writer for the next nine years. He subsequently became the founding editor of Classic Rock magazine in 1998, and presented his own television and radio shows.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

'I only wanted to see you, laughing in the purple rain.'

I’ll admit it upfront, I absolutely adore Prince. When I was in HS/College, I used to fall asleep with Purple Rain on repeat night after night, letting his voice carry me off. There are very few artists I love as much as Prince, and I think that’s because his songs feel both larger than life and deeply personal at the same time. Every guitar riff, every note, he poured his whole being into the music, and that’s what hooked me for life.

Picking up Mick Wall’s Purple Reign felt like revisiting an old friend. Wall does a great job walking us through the life of one of the most enigmatic, electrifying performers in music history. The book captures his genius, his contradictions, and the sheer audacity of a man who refused to fit into any mold. It highlights not just his rise to superstardom but also the quirks, risks, and creative choices that made him stand apart from everyone else.

Mick Wall paints a vivid, layered picture of the artist I’ve always felt so connected to. I especially loved how it contextualized his work in the broader cultural and musical landscape, reminding me just how radical and ahead of his time he truly was.

If you love Prince, or even if you just know a few of his hits, you’ll find yourself nodding along, smiling, maybe even cranking up your favourite track after each chapter. For me, this wasn’t just a biography, it was a celebration. A reminder of why Prince matters, why his music endures, and why, for fans like me, he’ll always be in a league of his own.

Gone too soon xx

My Highest Recommendation.

[Simon Sweetman · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cash-in book that begins with all the class Wall can summon with a transcript of the 911 call and ends, not even 200 pages later with several of the albums not even mentioned, a photo of Cat credited as Sheila E and not a scrap of analysis. Wall writes some fun sentences. He should do them somewhere else.

[Kelly (Diva Booknerd)]

I love Prince, but it felt like a series of second hand stories and articles as told by a 'source close to the singer'. It's a well documented study into Prince as a public icon but neglected the passion, the sexuality and genius that was the man himself and the legacy he leaves behind.

[Bert · Rating 1 out of 5]

Beware: I have not read this book. And unless a free copy ends up on my doormat, chances are I never will. And even if that free copy arrives I might pass.

I have read the excerpt from the first chapter and the excerpt from the third chapter that were posted online, and both are atrocious. And I don't know how that's any surprise, considering Mick Wall must have written this in record time. Because I simply cannot imagine he had been working on this book for a long while.

Look at some bare facts. Like that it's barely 200 pages long. Which to be honest cannot be enough pages to do anything other than skim over Prince's life. Simply listing all the projects he'd been involved in would have taken more space.

So far a single review has been published; it reveals the final chapter concentrates on the last days of Prince's life, and is apparently mostly compiled from some of the worst gossip stories.

So no, I haven't read this book. But consider this "review" a warning, and don't waste your time and money on this.

Instead, save up for Alex Hahn and Laura Tiebert's upcoming "Make the House Shake: the Life and Legacy of Prince Rogers Nelson", "a definitive, multi-volume biography of this iconic musician". They're currently doing extensive research on Prince's early years and apparently have already uncovered new stories; they're also looking critically at many often rehashed myths of those early years, e.g. Prince's first song being called "Funk Machine". No publication date is currently available, but there's a chance an ebook edition might arrive by the end of 2016, with a physical edition arriving later via a crowdfunding effort.

And save up for Duane Tudahl's undoubtedly excellent "Prince: The Studio Sessions", "a daily diary of Prince’s time in the recording studio". Its first volume will be "an historical overview about the music that was recorded by Prince during his time at Sunset Sound during 1983/84". He has "interviewed over 50 different band members, singers, studio engineers and others about their private stories surrounding his biggest successes, including Purple Rain, When Doves Cry, Raspberry Beret and dozens of others, but this isn't just about his hits. There are exclusive details revealed about many unreleased outtakes hidden from the public in Prince’s vault." This book is scheduled to be released in 2016 or early 2017.

[Jo-Ann Duff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going against the grain with a positive review, but I can only say what I felt, and I really enjoyed the read!

Dearly beloved we are gathered here today… A review of Purple Reign

This is a biography about Prince; Introvert, genius, sexy, ruthless and a visionary. He is deeply missed by his fans after his untimely passing on 21 April 2016 and the musicians who worked with him, hated him, respected him and emulate him feel the loss too.

Purple Reign is a detailed biography by Mick Wall who is an accomplished music journalist and biographer. The book outlines in chronological order his record deals, albums, his bands and projects such as The Time and NPG covering all the incarnations and solo projects and proteges in-between.

This is a serious music biography and there is nothing salicious to read here. Purple Reign is a respectful biography written by a stellar music journalist. The revelation to me was that by reading Prince’s musical history, his professional decisions, his rare flops and bomb movies right up to the soaring highest of highs, I felt I understood the person behind the white frills and cuban heels a little more. The music, the decisions, the professional relationships he had shines a light on the enigmatic star. This is a guy that changed the music scene, played all kinds of instruments on his albums, worked his band like dogs at times and refused to compromise, even when it harmed his own public image. I know more about Prince the person and artist from reading Purple Reign than any tabloid fodder or unauthorised book. It’s the closest you will get to understanding the legend that is Prince.

It’s a great piece of music journalism about the introverted, complicated God of creativity of my generation.

[Natty]

Thank you to Tracey from Carpe Librum for gifting this book to me.. it was a fascinating read and give me an insight to a extremely musically talented man..music that I grew up on through my parents exposure..

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad general biography taking you through his career and parts of his life. Not a really juicy biography. was disappointed in the photo selection

[Venky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mick Wall is undoubtedly the slam dunking, home run bashing, touch finding bad ass king of biographies featuring musicians and musical artists. In 'Prince Purple Reign', Wall takes on the reclusive figure of Prince and deconstructs - or attempts to in a honest mein - the incredible life of one of the most brilliant artists of all time.

On April 21, 2016, at 9.43 A.M, Prince Rogers Nelson was found slumped in an elevator at his Paisley Park apartment. Unresponsive to treatment he was soon declared dead at 10.07 A.M by the Carver County Sheriff Department. This shocking announcement brought the curtain down on a career that was incomparable, inimitable and insular.

Prince was an innovator par excellence, a genius in the mould of David Bowie in conception and Miles Davis in execution. Confining Prince to a particular or Specific genre of music is an exercise not only in futility but a also in absurdity. Wall refers to Prince's approach to music as 'unisexual rock-pop-funk-disco-Frisco-LSD-be-my-BB' Surely no other description would do justice to describe the pure magic that oozed out from this legend and suffused the world in its thrall for over three glorious decades.

Although not within the strict parameters of a full blown comprehensive biography, Purple Rain doubles up as a quasi substitute which abhors tabloid lowdowns in favour of seminal consequences. From an ordinary beginning as a music obsessed son of separated parents to the monarch of a sprawling mansion conservatively estimated to have cost 10 million dollars, Mick Wall charts the rise and rise of Prince with the odd fall and odder eccentricities in between. Prince's self determined motto in life was total involvement with and unabashed devotion to music, sex and God. The diminutive singer with arguably the most famous Afro hairdo viewed this Trinity as an immutable whole. The troika was to be a unending virtuous wheel of deliberate monotony and ribald repetition.

Falling foul of purists, invoking the ire of incensed parents and panned by critics, Prince refused to back down and with the wholehearted (and at times reluctant) backing of Warner Brothers went on to create history. 100 million records sold, seven Grammies, an Oscar, numerous BRITS, MTV and American Music Awards provide ample testimony to the breathtaking talent of this unbelievable artist. And then there were the eccentricities! A complete refusal to give interviews; an incredulous announcement on his thirty fifth birthday that he had changed his name from Prince to a symbol (yes you read that right);a multitude of steamy affairs; demented and deranged stage outfits that included thongs and stockings; a protest against Warner Brothers that involved the word 'Slave' pencilled on his cheek all created a sensation of awe, agitating the purists, alarming the parents of frenzied teenagers and arousing the passions of orgasmic fans. But as Wall rightly points out,Prince was just being himself.

The last chapter of the book is devoted to a heart wrenching analysis of the sudden death of the man who immortalized himself with jewels such as 'Purple Rain' and 'When Doves Cry'. An avowed critic of drugs, a vegan and a teetotal, the elusive Prince was living a dangerous double life, liberally consuming powerful opiates such as Dialaudid and Percocet. More than 20 patches of Fentanyl were recovered upon him, the maximum prescribed dosage being 5. Unbeknownst to many, the man who was one of the greatest dancers and gyrating sex symbols of all time was also a chronic sufferer of hip and ankle pain. The bitter sweet irony of his death being that the same drugs which did for his arch rival and the King of Pop Michael Jackson did Prince in too. The master of the Purple era was no more.

But The Purple Reign has no end.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Riddled with inaccuracies and a complete lack of knowledge about anything that happens after about 1995; the first 10 years of his career get 200 odd pages and the last 30 years about 50 pages. Bizarrely, despite all that, it's fairly well written and it'd be passable if the author had decided on a thesis about Prince's music beyond "he's just died and I was commissioned to write a book".

[Magdalena]

I think most people my age can remember where they were when they watched the film Purple Rain. I don’t recall being very impressed at the time. I was somewhat obsessed with Kate Bush and David Bowie, but I wasn’t too keen on the overt theatrics of Prince and the sound was far too pop for my tastes. I still remember watching it with some Dominican friends, sitting in the bedroom while they straightened my hair with Jheri Curl. Though I remain unimpressed with the film, the music has grown on me dramatically over the years, and clearly I’m not the only one. There have been a number of books rushed out since Prince’s sudden death a few month ago. There have also been articles, books and revelations about Prince’s pain, his secret altruism, and his addiction to opioids. While Mick Wall’s book may seem a bit opportunistic, I don’t see anything wrong with catering to a public’s desire to read all. Wall hasn’t done his idol an injustice, and the portrait is one that does homage to Prince. It’s tempting to say that, at times, the prose is a bit purple:

There were no rules for Prince, no maps for him to follow drawn by other people. Just the steps up the ladder he so famously preached about, that he chose for himself. (9)

Wall has no particular insider knowledge other than being a deep fan who has written about Prince’s work over the years, having attended a few concerts, and much of the book is cobbled together from secondary sources like newspaper clippings, interviews, and public records. When Wall does actually bring his own experiences and perceptions into the book, the prose suddenly comes alive:

The show was suitably, overwhelmingly spectacular. Huge explosions of pyro, Prince in purple jacket sliding down a fireman’s pole onto the stage as the band threw their weight behind ‘Let’s Go Crazy’. The audience hypnotized as waterfalls of purple confetti tumbled from the rafters Everybody’s favourite Prince song seemed to be included, from obvious hits like ‘When Doves Cry’, ‘Little Red Corvette’ and ‘1999’ to deeper cuts like ‘God’ and “father’s Song’, and some instrumental passages no one yet knew the names of. (97)

That said, Wall does uncover a fair amount of information about Prince’s early life in particular, his father’s stunted musical career, school years in Minneapolis,  interactions with siblings, and the experiences that shaped Prince’s later artistry. There is a clear progression shown through Prince’s musical development and Wall does a good job of exploring the songs in detail, showing off his experience as a rock critic. For example, Wall’s exploration of Around the World in a Day not only puts the work into its cultural context and cites a range of responses from other critics, but also explores the quality of the work in a way that helps illuminate it:

The album begins with the panoramic title track, the music drifting in like dawn mist at the start of what looks like it’s going to be a lovely day, all pan pipes and tambourines, Prince beseeching the world to ‘Open your heart, open your minds…’ There are vaguely Asian-sounding strings, light gospel voices and a drifting rhythm that even when Prince opens his throat and lets go still evokes a sense of bucolic ease and wonder. (107)

Though far from exhausting, the book moves through the release of each of Prince’s albums, his famous relationships, his name changes, religious conversion, and ultimately his untimely death. Throughout the book, Wall, who has called this book a tribute, presents a deep reverence that doesn’t really illuminate the man so much as the life that he lived. A bio by Wendy and Lisa, or one of Prince’s ex-wives would probably go deeper into the complex personality of Prince—something I suspect many of his fans would like to see. After reading this book, Prince remains enigmatic, and perhaps that’s part of the tribute. This is a man whose legacy was his music, an oeuvre that not only provided a platform that many of today’s most respected musicians have built their careers on, but one that continues to develop the more you listen to it. There’s so much more to listen to than simply the big hits, though those hits are far more complex than the instant pop accessibility of it would suggest.   Wall understands Prince’s music well, and if he doesn’t go deeply into his life, that’s probably exactly how the famously private Prince would have wanted it. Fans will take some comfort from Prince: Purple Reign, which provides a well-researched historical context for the music in a very easy to read, easy-on-the-eye book.

[Tiphany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good career run down but pretty light on anything too personal. A little obviously written swiftly just after Prince's passing (Ka-ching, goes the cash register) but still a good round up.

[Jonas Paro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hygglig biografi om det musikaliska underverket men den är på tok för kort, misstänker att den skyndades fram lite då den gavs ut bara några månader efter att Prince lämnade jordelivet.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've not read a Prince based book for a number of years and have a fair few to catch up on.
I'm not going to go into the timing of this book because a lot have come out since Prince's passing and I can only assume that's because his lawyers would have been all over the majority of them previously.
I found this book to be mildly interesting and pretty much a short hand version of a few I've read in the past.
Prince was an unrivalled genius and undoubtedly a troubled, lonely human being. To hear Springsteen say pretty similar things in his autobiography makes it sound like that to be so driven musically and to want other people to hear/understand you as much as they do can only come from a place of internal struggle.
That's why artists always interest me. Expressing oneself is the reason (amongst many others) is why we are here. We all want to make our mark however big or small.
To read that Purple Rain resoundingly trounced Thriller at the AMA's in 85 is something I don't remember reading before. The mid to late 2000 interviews with Wendy and Lisa (about why he wanted them in his band) seem a bit harsh but nonetheless true to me. Reflection can always bring new things to light I guess
But the most memorable thing I will take from this book is the last chapter. After reading Mayte's book earlier in the year where she hinted at hidden opoid issues I find it hard to believe that Prince was taking such stuff as early as 1984. It was difficult reading in that respect but could also be a reason for many rumours about his way of life especially later in life. Especially his distrust of others. I guess I'll keep an open mind.
Still always a fan. The Mozart of our generation. RIP Purple Yoda

[Pete daPixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short, sharp biography of Prince, or the artist formally known as, or O(+>), or Symbol, or simply Prince Rogers Nelson.
'Prince: Purple Reign' published in 2016, just months after his death, becomes yet another publication from the perennial pop music biographer Mick Wall. Although this book does smell of the quick cash-in, Wall does show in the text that he was a very early fan of the man and his music.
To be honest, apart from the mainstream media and the couple of albums in my collection, I really knew very little of this artist. Also as a local radio presenter I picked up this book to provide the overview of Prince's music career and details of his sudden passing. So, in filling my requirements, I have given this quick read three stars.
Very interesting that Prince's demise was very similar to Michael Jackson's death, both being sold pain killing drugs by private doctors...a nice name for drug dealers.

[Frida · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing. Inaccurate, which is the main disappointment. Simple things like Cat Glover being pictured and named "Sheila E", and the McClean twins that danced with Prince at the Super Bowl being named Diamond and Pearl?! Also, a spelling mistake on page 57...amongst other things that just simply were not true or personal opinion. How can these have even been passed through proof reading and publication. Just shows to me that this book was fast tracked for non genuine reasons. Surely, to write a biography about Prince, you would have to at least know who Sheila E is and what she looks like and also that, in the Prince era of 2007 (Super Bowl) the Diamond and Pearl girls where well and truly out of the picture. Would that be unreasonable? After all these errors, I began to think of this book as fiction.

[Amanda Jackson]

An interesting read as expected due to the subject. This is well written overall but I was hoping for more new stories. As the author is quite well known in music journalism I expected more new interviews and first hand accounts but most of this was taken from already public sources.
The most in depth pieces are about his career rather than his personal life. I think it gives us more of a story of Prince the artist.
I think leaving it until the last chapter to write about the allegations of drug use was a mistake. Maybe this is because most people thought he was drug free right up until he died.It mirrors the change in perception of him after he was gone. It would have worked to fit it in within the timeline though as it felt very contradictory to the man I'd just read about up until that point.

[Godowd · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only read this as a present as there are very few rock biographies that give a true insight of an artist and this another one for that category.

This is one of the worst cases of puppy love I have come across. If you were to believe Mick if Prince picked up any instrument off the ground he could instantly play it and at a level unimagined before.

In truth Prince who was a very talented musician was over indulged early on by a record exec maybe if he had not been we would have had a more constant flow of material of a quality that no one denies he was capable of.

The book is shallow and puts only a few pages together on his wives, child who dies, death and relationships. There is a much better book on Prince waiting to be written this is just pap.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve always liked Wall’s writing style (occasionally writing himself into his work) and his in depth knowledge of the rock n roll world. “Purple Reign” is no different from the rest of his work.

You will get a ton of great details of the 80’s Prince and his childhood. You will also be reminded of some of his memorable events - the George Harrison concert and the Super Bowl. You will also discover the tragedies he faced in his personal life. The man lived a 100 lives in the short time he was here.

[Bethnoir · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really loved Prince in 1984. I wanted to know everything about him and read anything I could get my hands on as well as listening to his music repeatedly. I'd have loved this book then, well not the introduction or the reason for it being published, which is that Prince died, but the book generally.

However, reading it now just made me feel sad. Less of a celebration than I had hoped and illustrative that a little mystery goes a long way.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mick Wall had an excellent podcast called, "Dead Rock Stars". It feels a bit like an extra chapter to this book and I feel like even the book leaves you wanting more. There's so much mystery to the being that was Prince that I guess it's fitting that most of what you "know" isn't much and just like the music itself, reading this book makes you just want more. A sad loss to music and a well written book that ultimately is a very quick commute read.

[David Allwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

This slim volume reads more like an extended fan magazine article, than a substantial biography of Prince. It is neither comprehensive nor complete and merely provides reviews of many of his albums, rather than exploring the enigma of The Artist. Mildly interesting in parts, and gossipy in others, Prince was an everlasting cultural icon and surely deserves a greater tribute than this scant and scandalous essay.

[Nicki Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Purple Reign is a detailed biography by Mick Wall, I enjoyed how it went through his career in chronological order with insights into his record deals, albums, his bands at the time and his side projects such as The Time and NPG covering his solo projects and the mentorship/creation of his proteges. I found it to be respectfully and tastefully written without the salaciousness some other books on Prince have been written with. Having been a long time fan through most of his musical journey I loved the nostalgic throwbacks to his albums and music and movies and the little nuggets of insights along the way. A must read for any Prince fan or anyone with a curiosity about his music and or the music business particularly in the 80's and 90's and how he blazed his own trail and never doubted himself. #purplereign #mickwall #trapeze #prince #tea_sipping_bookworm #thestorygraph #goodreads #biography #bookqueen #bookstagram #getlitsy #fable

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a huge Prince fan, I found this book underwhelming. Maybe if I wasn't such a big fan, much of it would have been new and intriguing information to me? Also, there was a lot of detail surrounding his beginnings and through Purple Rain and the mid-80s, but then seemed to fast forward through the next 20 years of his life.

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok primer to a new fan, but as a superfan who has read countless Prince tomes, this one is rather slim in its size and reporting. Always a joy to spend a couple hundred pages with the Purple One, though.

[Shenandoah Shelton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, my eyes have been opened to so many things I never knew about prince. Coming from someone who has listened to his music and loved him since I could love music. I'm amazed at his life, his struggles,and most of all his strengths.

[Oliver Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. Filled with quotes, reviews from other people and placed together in a story. Not bad. Easy to read. Would like a bit more about him though. A lot of his music and musicians but very sketchy on him.

[G4BBiE · Rating 3 out of 5]

would’ve loved to read it in english (got my copy at my local book fair, in a translated version) yet my opinions on the new things i read here —and learned about his creative revolution— made sense on their own ways.

[Traci · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a fairly quick, okay read. Can't say it was bad because well...Prince.

[Carole · Rating 2 out of 5]

didnt read much . didnt hold my interest

[Stacey · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's a lot of summary here and very little analysis or insight.