Prince and Purple Rain

In Prince and Purple Rain, acclaimed Prince authority Andrea Swensson takes a deep dive into the late artist's most iconic album with a beautiful, slipcased gift book.


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. 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


Illustrated with performance and off-stage photography as well as memorabilia from top collectors, Prince and Purple Rain is a decisive and beautifully produced tribute to a legendary album from a legendary performer and artist.