On Time

A Princely Life in Funk

By: Morris Day, David Ritz

Narrated by: Ron Butler

Length: 6 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

A memoir by Morris Day of The Time centering around his lifelong relationship and association with Prince 

"A vital, illuminating, and wildly entertaining autobiography." (Billboard) 

"Great book! Great storytelling!" (Lenny Kravitz) 

"Lean, slick, cooler than Santa Claus, and surprisingly tender, this book not only traces Day's history in Minneapolis funk, but doubles as an intimate recollection of his time with Prince." (Ben Greenman, author of Dig if You Will the Picture)

Brilliant composer, smooth soul singer, killer drummer, and charismatic band leader Morris Day has been a force in American music for the past four decades. In On Time, the renowned funkster looks back on a life of turbulence and triumph, chronicling his creative process with an explosive prose that mirrors his intoxicating music.

A major theme throughout the book is Morris' enduring friendship and musical partnership with Prince, from their early days on the Minneapolis scene to selling out stadiums and duking it out as rivals in Purple Rain. Eventually, Morris went on to release four albums with a new band of his very own, The Time; however, before long, increasing tensions between the two performers set them down separate paths. Through the years, the fierce brotherly love between Morris and Prince kept bringing them back together - until pride, ego, and circumstance interfered. Two months before Prince's untimely death, the two finally started to make amends. But Morris never could have imagined it would be the last time he'd ever see his friend again.

©2019 Morris Day and David Ritz (P)2019 Hachette Audio

Right on time

So glad this book came out prior to Prince’s. It sets the stage for those who love Prince to hear about how the Time came about. The only surprise was that ‘Pop Life’ was written about Morris! This book confirms many of the stories we’ve heard about Prince since 2016. I’m glad they said their goodbyes. The narrator mispronounced a few things and that was funny, but overall a good hard look at Morris. He tells us the truth about himself and the truth about Prince. At the end of the day, Prince gave careers to many people, and we’re all the richer for it. Lastly, Morris said he’d not seen Prince after July 2007 until January 2016. Not true. Prince had the Time play with him at Coachella in 2008.

Nice Job, Morris

I loved the book.

I would've like it more if Morris read it himself, and used his "Morris Day Voice" throughout certain parts.

But overall, it was interesting to hear his point of view of a great time in music history.

Genius

I'm not sure how Morris's book came across in book form, but in audio form it's a work of genius and art, the way it was written with Morris holding conversations with not only Prince, but his love hate battle with his altar ego "MD" seems bent on keeping Morris in party mode at all times. it was very honest and sometimes painfully so. absolutely a must read.

Self-effacing Morris

Morris never had the solo career that Prince did, but The Time, and Morris Day in particular, resonated with me in a way that Prince, with his ethereal persona and controlling ways, never did. Morris’ stage persona, in contrast, struck me as a self-aware and cartoonish parody of an egocentric ideal, one that I never took at face value, even as a kid. I always wanted to know the man under that mask.

“Prince” in this autobiography keeps prompting Morris to get to the point where the two meet and embark on their respective careers and to talk more about the Purple One himself, but I personally want to know a lot of the details about Morris’ life away from Prince that we never hear: what were Morris’ influences comedically that informed his on-stage character? Why and how did Morris become a multi-instrumentalist? What (aside from immediate need) made Morris decide to become a singer? What role does faith have in Morris’ own life?

I appreciate what I heard in this book about Morris and Prince and I hope that some of the history they have informs the history of others. Morris sells himself a bit short here (which could be seen as a theme in his life), but here’s hoping for a follow-up book that digs a bit deeper into Morris himself.

Entertaining listen, wish Morris did the narration

Entertaining, funny and as real as it could be. Prince was seen in a good light and Morris was as honest as someone can be of themselves and their faults. I can hear the actual voices in the print version and I wish Morris did the narriation, but overall it was good and worth the Time.

Just what I needed

This is a beautifully written and performed book. The story of Morris Day with the spirit of Prince helping out. It is lovely and just what I needed. Thank you Morris for sharing all that you did.

A really great book

this was a great book.... it was written wonderfully. You won't be disappointed. the narrator was great as well

OMG!! LUV LUV LUV

What a way to get know the MORRIS DAY!! I have always and will always be a FAN😁

Long Live the Funk

I loved this story. Thanks, Morris, for sharing all of this! Kudos to the narrator.

Surprisingly informative; piercingly personal!

Good read! Lots of profanity, but ignored to NFO that mattered to me the most.

An extra storyline for your funk memories!

Great background on MD and the Prince relationship. Honestly written and very respectful to the history they had together!

A Princely Story Full of Swagger

Just adored this book. Well written and well told. honest, candid, outrageous, courageous. a tale of two musical brothers.

Time well spent

An extremely honest and enlightening autobiography. The original, conversational style adds to the insight with different perspectives and personas (even if all from the same person). Holds a mirror up to MD and reveals the man behind the cool.

Love me some Morris Day

Loved every minute of this book. Morris went to the places that, although painful, brought the rich truth with it. Deeply grateful for that. And for him sharing his beautiful, sometimes stormy, but always full of love relationship with Prince. I would have lived to hear Morris read it himself.

Morris Day - On Time A Princely Life in Funk

Really interesting book Ron Butler did a great job as the reader. The whole Prince character came across at times strange and too much of a control freak, we know Prince was so it is quite hard to know what is the truth or not. Morris Day is such a character and it is about time the world knew of him and The Time even more. He was open and honest in this and came across as deep down a really good guy who struggled with fame as many others did. Just over 5hours long so short and sweet. All in all a solid little listen and if you are a Morris Day or Prince fan worth it.

Lovely!

Morris is by far the most elusive of all prince associates. He has such a strong public persona you never know where the man and the character begin and end. I came in to this knowing his musical material and the sharp dressed quick witted entertainer and I have come out of it with real respect for an honest and actually very humble man. It’s good to know that if the chipper Morris day isn’t always confident, then there is hope for us all! I always imagined him as really very one dimensional with his pimp exterior - but he’s a deep and sensitive and surprisingly self-critical dude. There remains only one word for Morris. C.O.O.L

What time is it?

I have been waiting for a book from this funk brother for years and this book does not disappoint. The book is more then just reflections on a friendship with Prince, its a valiant attempt to tell the story of a developing friendship that though strained at times their bond never broke
What is very moving is the fictional discussion he has with prince while trying to to tell his/Thiet story this sheds a personal and emotional light on the time together and princes fictional commentary about things that happened in their relationship. You get the sense the book funny and illuminating for fans for Morris Day I think the process must have been cathartic a way of dealing with the pain of things left unsaid but more importantly it’s a vehicle to help he deal with the loss of his friend.

The narrator is excellent and the story id funny funky and sad but to me Morris is right on time with this book and it really is Morris’s time.