The Rise of Prince: 1958-1988

By: Alex Hahn, Laura Tiebert

Narrated by: Rob Saladino

Length: 10 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

The Rise of Prince: 1958-1988 is the definitive account of the formative years of this iconic artist. More so than any previous book, this volume provides a dramatic, compelling narrative of Prince's rise to fame. The prologue provides a gripping, day-to-day account of the events that unfolded between November 2015 and April 21, 2016, when Prince tragically died at Paisley Park. The great distance traveled by Prince during his final months of tours of Australia and New Zealand, a funeral in the Bay Area for former muse and lover Denise Matthews, a tour of Canada, and a final return home mirrored Prince's nomadic childhood, to which the book returns after detailing the events of 2016.

Hahn, writing in collaboration with veteran author Tiebert, brings his extraordinary experience to this book, which includes fully updated and expanded elements of his controversial 2003 biography Possessed, a sought-after collector's item that remains a classic of Prince literature. The Rise of Prince provides a complete reordering of what is known about Prince's formative years based on previously unavailable documents and persons never before interviewed. It provides newly unearthed information about early relationships and collaborations; a detailed account of the no-holds-barred competition with Rick James on the 1981 tour that set the course for Prince's meteoric rise; a vivid depiction of the recording of Prince's album at Sunset Sound, including a little-known encounter with Sly Stone; and much more.

Ultimately, The Rise of Prince tells the very human story of how Prince overcame adversity to achieve one of the greatest runs of creativity in pop history, creating an unparalleled universe of side projects, alter-egos and lovers along the way.

©2017 Alex Hahn (P)2017 Alex Hahn

Solid Overview of Prince's First Thirty Years

I thoroughly enjoyed this reading of The Rise of Prince: 158-1988. In so many ways this nonfiction story feels like a tragedy with Prince like a Citizen Kane-figure, his many abandoned albums--and lovers--his "rosebud." A 'must listen' for followers of the Purple One!

love Prince ❤ wish the story could have continued

loved it. I wasn't ready for it to end. thanks for the story of Prince🎶❤

powerful story

learned a lot about Prince and his personality. The back story was really good to know

Strange and expected.

Princes musical and person journey from his earliest days to his highest level of fame and slide down from that seemingly unreachable summit is interesting and understandable. More human than he would allow, the trappings of his fame became his downfall. The original book this was gleaned from, Possessed, is a better read to further understand Prince's rise and fall. If you can find it get it. You will not regret it.

Compelling

Great listen for die-hard Prince fans. The authors were able to get backstory and a lot of personal revelations never revealed anywhere before. I learned so much more about this legendary artist that was a master at keeping much of his life a mystery that kept his fans wanting so much more. I would love a follow up book on his music career plateau through his last day alive.

Good story but....

The narration was awful. I liked the focus but n Princes youth. Very insightful! And moving!

Surprised

Surprised by the well written, detailed, clear story told by the authors and shared by the narrator. The authenticity and delivery of history and facts felt rich. Happy that I spent the time listening.