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My Name Is Prince: An Iconic Photo Collection by Randee St. Nicholas―25 Years of Intimate Collaboration
The ultimate collection of stunning photographs documenting the career of one of the world’s greatest superstars
There has never been or will there ever be an artist like Prince. “A 5' 3? Mastermind . . . satiated with virtuosity, controversy, stubbornness, and poise . . . His influence on Music transcended any and every category given titles by industry wizards and musicologists. Pop, Rock, Rhythm & Blues, Classical, Funk, Jazz, Soul, and Rap . . . He did it all and he did it well . . . and in his time . . . He did it first,” writes Randee St. Nicholas.
For twenty-five years, this legendary photographer, with a storied career of her own, worked closely with Prince, capturing some of his most intimate and revealing moments both on and off stage.
Now, the fruits of their numerous collaborations are on full display in My Name Is Prince, the largest collection of the most iconic photographs that will ever exist of one of the world’s greatest superstars.
In this dazzling collector’s edition, readers are treated to a front-row seat to their innovative and awe-inspiring projects, from his music videos Gett Off and My Name Is Prince; to their impromptu photo shoots…just because; their adventures around the world from London to Tokyo to Prague, and his breathtaking, showstopping live concert appearances from great stages at Coachella and the 02 Arena to intimate nightclubs.
Many of the trips, we will discover, are either unplanned or hastily arranged. And yet you will marvel at the results—as Prince expected nothing less than the best.
When they met, Prince was ready for a change. The quixotic performer was known for seizing a moment and then on to the next.
After their initial 1991 photo shoot in her Los Angeles studio, Prince assured St. Nicholas, “Don’t worry, I’ll be back.”
Over the next twenty-five years he would return again and again, challenging himself and St. Nicholas to reach higher and to go further with every original pursuit.
My Name Is Prince is the story of that unique working relationship and artistic evolution that produced many stunning images and lasted from their first meeting until the end:
He had incredible timing, not just musically but spiritually, emotionally, and creatively . . . that Prince rhythm fueled a spontaneity that was contagious, enabling you to be more fearless and flexible than you thought you ever could be. When he would call . . . you had to be ready for anything . . . to jump on a plane with an hour or two notice, to put together a crew in a city you had never worked in before without any preparation time . . . or to simply just go outside your house at four in the morning where he was parked in his car, waiting for you to get in and listen to new music he had just recorded. One never knew what to expect . . . but it was always an inspired adventure.
Told through 384 pages of striking visuals and poignant, intimate stories, the insights revealed in My Name Is Prince show a side of the enigmatic megastar that few have ever seen.
We go beyond the genius and meet the man—playful, moody, disciplined, sensual, serious, and soulful.
And in hundreds of photographs, we see that incandescent light behind his hypnotic eyes; that sly smile, strong hands, and transformative and transcendent presence that connected people from every part of the globe through his music.
As his sound lives on, My Name Is Prince is a visual testimony to his greatness and a space that can never be filled.
There has never been or will there ever be an artist like Prince. “A 5' 3? Mastermind . . . satiated with virtuosity, controversy, stubbornness, and poise . . . His influence on Music transcended any and every category given titles by industry wizards and musicologists. Pop, Rock, Rhythm & Blues, Classical, Funk, Jazz, Soul, and Rap . . . He did it all and he did it well . . . and in his time . . . He did it first,” writes Randee St. Nicholas.
For twenty-five years, this legendary photographer, with a storied career of her own, worked closely with Prince, capturing some of his most intimate and revealing moments both on and off stage.
Now, the fruits of their numerous collaborations are on full display in My Name Is Prince, the largest collection of the most iconic photographs that will ever exist of one of the world’s greatest superstars.
In this dazzling collector’s edition, readers are treated to a front-row seat to their innovative and awe-inspiring projects, from his music videos Gett Off and My Name Is Prince; to their impromptu photo shoots…just because; their adventures around the world from London to Tokyo to Prague, and his breathtaking, showstopping live concert appearances from great stages at Coachella and the 02 Arena to intimate nightclubs.
Many of the trips, we will discover, are either unplanned or hastily arranged. And yet you will marvel at the results—as Prince expected nothing less than the best.
When they met, Prince was ready for a change. The quixotic performer was known for seizing a moment and then on to the next.
After their initial 1991 photo shoot in her Los Angeles studio, Prince assured St. Nicholas, “Don’t worry, I’ll be back.”
Over the next twenty-five years he would return again and again, challenging himself and St. Nicholas to reach higher and to go further with every original pursuit.
My Name Is Prince is the story of that unique working relationship and artistic evolution that produced many stunning images and lasted from their first meeting until the end:
He had incredible timing, not just musically but spiritually, emotionally, and creatively . . . that Prince rhythm fueled a spontaneity that was contagious, enabling you to be more fearless and flexible than you thought you ever could be. When he would call . . . you had to be ready for anything . . . to jump on a plane with an hour or two notice, to put together a crew in a city you had never worked in before without any preparation time . . . or to simply just go outside your house at four in the morning where he was parked in his car, waiting for you to get in and listen to new music he had just recorded. One never knew what to expect . . . but it was always an inspired adventure.
Told through 384 pages of striking visuals and poignant, intimate stories, the insights revealed in My Name Is Prince show a side of the enigmatic megastar that few have ever seen.
We go beyond the genius and meet the man—playful, moody, disciplined, sensual, serious, and soulful.
And in hundreds of photographs, we see that incandescent light behind his hypnotic eyes; that sly smile, strong hands, and transformative and transcendent presence that connected people from every part of the globe through his music.
As his sound lives on, My Name Is Prince is a visual testimony to his greatness and a space that can never be filled.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published November 19, 2019
8 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 29, 2020
Loved it !!! The photos were fantastic.
November 13, 2021
Gorgeous!
Massive fan, I'm so happy finally I got this incredible book.
Massive fan, I'm so happy finally I got this incredible book.
December 11, 2019
I happened to tour Paisley Park this November. Timing-wise, this left my usual urge to learn more coinciding with a couple of much-anticipated Prince books hitting shelves. Hence the purple reading spree.
I was returning The Beautiful Ones to the library when I saw this shining giant next to the New Release shelf, too big to hang with the rest. Of course I checked it out.
Randee St. Nicholas is a talented, successful photographer. Her photos don't disappoint.
She is not a writer. Her writing voice often left something to be desired, in most cases: an editor. It felt like a thesaurus was used to deploy all the adjectives one might use for AMAZING (e.g. hypnotizing, spellbinding, phenomenal, prodigious), and yet amazing still saturates the text, even in back to back sentences. The writing is dripping with adverbs and adjectives. It reminds me of my middle grade self, heavy on zealous words, ALL CAPS, and exclamation points! I can chalk that up to enthusiasm, I suppose, and writing inexperience.
But the word that got me was one I've read over and over again that Prince strongly objected to in any writing about him. Magic.
"..he said, really think carefully about which words you would use because magical is not one that I would use to describe me. That is Michael's word." (Dan Piepenbring, the writer/editor Prince selected to help him write his memoir)
"He said that funk is the opposite of magic. Funk is about rules. And he pointed to all the work that went into his music - that there was really no magic in it. It was a labor - a labor of love but a labor nonetheless - and that he'd had to learn to play all of these 27 instruments that he played on his first album, that he'd had to learn how to mix them, how to master them, how to program the drum machine and that funk was about rules and discipline."
Prince insisted on reminding fans of his humanity.
“Certain words like 'alchemy' and 'magical' don’t describe me.”
So, it raised my would Prince approve? hackles when I saw these certain words again and again.
"..HIS TRULY MAGICAL ENERGY." (p.7)
"We were all acutely aware of how magical this inspired time was.." (p.53)
"Prince did absolutely have some kind of enchanting powers." (p.53)
"It was TRULY amazing. PRINCE SIMPLY ENCHANTED US MERE MORTALS... infusing us with his magical Prince-ness.." (p.55)
"The spell was cast, no matter where he was, the moment he began to play." (p.177)
"spellbinding ambience.. like an almighty, all-knowing Wizard of Oz like character.." (p.302)
"his performance was always uplifting and magical, reminding one that MUSIC... and especially his MUSIC.. is a transcendent GIFT from the Gods!" (p.315)
"Shows would magically sell out.." (p.357)
I get what Prince was saying. The magical praise, in a way, robs credit from his work ethic and the labor it took to master his skills and talent. The effort and no doubt, exhaustion that went into his craft. The dedication, discipline, and intelligence it took. The wear and tear on his body. The challenges he faced with the industry, and even the sacrifice that comes with fame. It was hard work. Though it may have looked effortless, his music and success didn't appear by fairy tale or magic. I regret to see these words, the specific words he didn't want used to describe him, used so liberally here.
That aside, this is a gorgeous book. St. Nicholas shares fun, behind the scenes stories and glimpses into personal moments working with Prince. It's clear her intention is to do nothing but honor him with this tribute.
"I remember feeling so lucky to be an intimate witness to the ongoing evolution of such a great ARTIST."
While I feel that the writing could have (and should have) been better edited, the stories told are gems. The photos are rich. I enjoyed it.
I was returning The Beautiful Ones to the library when I saw this shining giant next to the New Release shelf, too big to hang with the rest. Of course I checked it out.
Randee St. Nicholas is a talented, successful photographer. Her photos don't disappoint.
She is not a writer. Her writing voice often left something to be desired, in most cases: an editor. It felt like a thesaurus was used to deploy all the adjectives one might use for AMAZING (e.g. hypnotizing, spellbinding, phenomenal, prodigious), and yet amazing still saturates the text, even in back to back sentences. The writing is dripping with adverbs and adjectives. It reminds me of my middle grade self, heavy on zealous words, ALL CAPS, and exclamation points! I can chalk that up to enthusiasm, I suppose, and writing inexperience.
But the word that got me was one I've read over and over again that Prince strongly objected to in any writing about him. Magic.
"..he said, really think carefully about which words you would use because magical is not one that I would use to describe me. That is Michael's word." (Dan Piepenbring, the writer/editor Prince selected to help him write his memoir)
"He said that funk is the opposite of magic. Funk is about rules. And he pointed to all the work that went into his music - that there was really no magic in it. It was a labor - a labor of love but a labor nonetheless - and that he'd had to learn to play all of these 27 instruments that he played on his first album, that he'd had to learn how to mix them, how to master them, how to program the drum machine and that funk was about rules and discipline."
Prince insisted on reminding fans of his humanity.
“Certain words like 'alchemy' and 'magical' don’t describe me.”
So, it raised my would Prince approve? hackles when I saw these certain words again and again.
"..HIS TRULY MAGICAL ENERGY." (p.7)
"We were all acutely aware of how magical this inspired time was.." (p.53)
"Prince did absolutely have some kind of enchanting powers." (p.53)
"It was TRULY amazing. PRINCE SIMPLY ENCHANTED US MERE MORTALS... infusing us with his magical Prince-ness.." (p.55)
"The spell was cast, no matter where he was, the moment he began to play." (p.177)
"spellbinding ambience.. like an almighty, all-knowing Wizard of Oz like character.." (p.302)
"his performance was always uplifting and magical, reminding one that MUSIC... and especially his MUSIC.. is a transcendent GIFT from the Gods!" (p.315)
"Shows would magically sell out.." (p.357)
I get what Prince was saying. The magical praise, in a way, robs credit from his work ethic and the labor it took to master his skills and talent. The effort and no doubt, exhaustion that went into his craft. The dedication, discipline, and intelligence it took. The wear and tear on his body. The challenges he faced with the industry, and even the sacrifice that comes with fame. It was hard work. Though it may have looked effortless, his music and success didn't appear by fairy tale or magic. I regret to see these words, the specific words he didn't want used to describe him, used so liberally here.
That aside, this is a gorgeous book. St. Nicholas shares fun, behind the scenes stories and glimpses into personal moments working with Prince. It's clear her intention is to do nothing but honor him with this tribute.
"I remember feeling so lucky to be an intimate witness to the ongoing evolution of such a great ARTIST."
While I feel that the writing could have (and should have) been better edited, the stories told are gems. The photos are rich. I enjoyed it.
March 5, 2020
I’ve flipped through 21 Nights & Whitney’s book by the author. I felt both were lacking on the stories and behind-the-scenes stuff that could of pushed those books to the next level. Ok so I go the stories and I still didn’t feel fulfilled with this heavy book. Don’t get me wrong the stories were funny, introspective, informative, yada yada.
The pictures A+ but this felt.... I don’t know what word I’m looking for. But I’m glad I didn’t spend my money on this or I would feel some type of way.
The pictures A+ but this felt.... I don’t know what word I’m looking for. But I’m glad I didn’t spend my money on this or I would feel some type of way.
Read
June 28, 2020Uit: dit grote fotoboek uit 2019 van Randee St. Nicholas, jarenlang de vaste fotografe van Prince. Een boek vol foto's van shoots, concerten en backstagemomenten. Het is smullen van de prikkelende backstageverhalen van de fotografe.
Dat andere fotoboek van Randee St. Nicholas, 21 Nights, is een uitgebreider verslag van de concertreeks van Prince in de O2 Arena in Londen.
https://wimoosterlinck.wordpress.com/...
Dat andere fotoboek van Randee St. Nicholas, 21 Nights, is een uitgebreider verslag van de concertreeks van Prince in de O2 Arena in Londen.
https://wimoosterlinck.wordpress.com/...
March 14, 2020
Gorgeous. Am now inspired to watch every Prince music video I can find...
December 30, 2019
This massive coffee table book is a treasure chest of mostly unreleased photographs shot by Randee St. Nicholas and her memories of working with Prince for twenty-five years. Her accompanying text provides a glimpse into the thrill and madness of photographing the music icon notorious for his unpredictability and love for trying something new. I was most touched by her account of how Prince mentored her in her career. St. Nicholas may be the professional photographer, but Prince challenged her - even picking her to direct the music video for “Gett Off” despite the fact that she had never directed any kind of video before. He pushed her to try something she had never dreamed of doing, and she began to develop an entirely new aspect of her creativity. The book is as much a letter of gratitude to her muse as a photo book about Prince. As she says, “He liked women. Not just as lovers ... but as friends, band mates, and peers ... he respectfully gave opportunities to many women who otherwise may have gone unnoticed and unappreciated by the often cynical and fickle music and entertainment industries.”
July 8, 2020
This is the best Prince book I've read so far. St. Nicholas was truly a friend, not a worshiper or a groupie or a lover. She and Prince seemed to vibrate on the same level, and she faced every challenge he threw at her with the understanding that she would meet it and surpass it. This book is mostly photographs of Prince throughout different eras, with a few stories from Randee about how the photographs came about. Her images are different from others I've seen. You can tell what she appreciated about him--his hands and his eyes. In fact, one of the first things I noticed was the focus on his delicate but powerful hands. Later in the book, St. Nicholas talks about how they were an inspiration for her. I also love that she treats Matye with such respect and reverence, and she doesn't focus on any of his other girls. You get the sense that Prince and Randee were truly a great match, and they understood each other.
I'd recommend this book to any Prince fan.
I'd recommend this book to any Prince fan.
November 22, 2019
Stories were wonderful. I would have layed out the book differently though. Would have put the binding on the edge instead of in the middle, which cut some of the Beautiful pictures in half. I mean the idea of a photography book is to admire the photos, right? Even with that one flaw, the photos are amazing and Randee’s memories of him are so very relatable for people like me who have followed his career since the early 80s. Thank you Randee!
February 24, 2020
Randee St. Nicholas shares some of the many photos she took over 25 years. But the best part are the personal stories interspersed that give a look into the personality and lifestyle of the musical superstar. He lived the way he wanted to. He setup photo shoots sometimes an hour in advance, similar to some of his concerts that were played with very little notice. I liked reading about his sense of humor and how they had a lot of fun together. Of course, the photos are wonderful.
December 13, 2019
Every Prince fan needs this! Amazing photography!
January 1, 2020
Exquisite book. A must for all Prince fans that never tire of perusing all his beautiful details.
January 19, 2020
Some of the date order is wrong, but fabulous photos and insightful stories
February 4, 2020
Absolutely stunning and gorgeous photos of Prince. He was the epitome of sexy, cool, chic, class, and yummy!
March 11, 2020
I’m grateful the photographer shared these photos and stories with the world.
March 22, 2020
Amazing photos and stories of an (the?) iconic artist.
November 30, 2020
Prince will always be missed. Beautiful book and good content. Great coffee table book.
December 20, 2020
SO MANY BEAUIFUL PHOTOS. I have been wanting this for quite awhile and it was worth the wait. Many I am already familiar with and many I have never seen before.
July 26, 2022
Light on words. Great photos!
October 25, 2022
Prince is simply captivating to me
December 28, 2022
Gorgeous photos and loved how it was put together.
May 12, 2023
Duh! Of COURSE I would LOVE this book!!
January 11, 2024
Gorgeous book, great stories. LOVED it!! 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
June 14, 2024
great photos smd stories tolsd with mothing but love without sounding phony buy it on the cheap if you can i ddevored it in one siting.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews