Prince + Purple Rain: 40 Years

**Authoritatively written and including rare photography and memorabilia, this sumptuous slipcased hardcover is the only illustrated gift book to examine Prince's most iconic album and film, *Purple Rain*.** In 1984, Prince, along with his band, The Revolution, released what would become his best-selling album and a touchstone of 1980s pop culture. *Purple Rain* has gone on to sell 25 million copies and counting. In *Prince and Purple Rain*, Andrea Swensson, a Minneapolis-based journalist and host/co-producer of *Prince | Official Podcast*, takes **a deep dive into the legendary musician's most famous album on its 40th anniversary**. The book features: - A lush purple velvet slipcase with gold-foil lettering - A foreword by Prince superfan Maya Rudolph - Stunning performance and off-stage photography - Interviews with musicians who worked with Prince - Images of memorabilia from top collectors Chapters cover: - Prince's youth and early music career in Minneapolis, as well as each of the five studio albums that preceded *Purple Rain* - Prince's backing band, The Revolution, and the backgrounds of each of its individual members, with an emphasis on the *Purple Rain* studio and touring members: drummer Bobby Z, bassist Brown Mark, guitarist Wendy Melvoin, keyboardist Lisa Coleman, and keyboardist Matt Fink - Track-by-track analyses of each side - A look at the groundbreaking film of the same name and its multiplatinum soundtrack - Awards, accolades, and critical reception - Prince's legacy post-*Purple Rain*, up to his untimely death in 2016 *Prince and Purple Rain* is a definitive and beautifully produced tribute to a legendary album from a legendary performer and artist. **The Great Albums series** presents authoritative explorations of rock's most revered records, beautifully packaged for fans to treasure. Delve into even more groundbreaking releases with: *Pink Floyd and The Dark Side of the Moon*, *The Who & Quadrophenia*, *Bruce Springsteen and Born to Run*, and *Queen & A Night at the Opera*, with more to come.