Possessed: The Rise and Fall of Prince

Few artists have accomplished what Prince Rogers Nelson has: he has topped the R&B, pop, and dance charts; he has overwhelmed musicians and critics with his seemingly endless wealth of talent; he has outraged; and he has inspired. Using sources unavailable to others, author Alex Hahn has created a page-turning biography/pop culture history/work of musical scholarship on one of the most dynamic, talented, and controversial performers ever to don backless pants on national television.

Hahn unveils the psychology of this tortured, messianic musician whose ceaseless reinventions have at times rendered him a profoundly original artist, while at other times threatened to become a mockery of himself and his music. Recollections and opinions from friends, employees, and industry insiders place readers right in the middle of some of Prince's most awe-inspiring recording and songwriting sessions. They also relate countless and sometimes shocking details about Prince's most publicized relationships (with Kim Basinger, Carmen Electra, Vanity, and many, many more); reveal how Prince allegedly plagiarized band members' musical ideas; and explain why he has become such an isolated figure with a compulsion for total control.

The most up-to-date, full-scale biography of the performer available, Possessed: The Rise and Fall of Prince is a whirlwind of a read that celebrates the artist and examines the man; it's a mesmerizing biography certain to leave readers breathless.