Prince and Purple Rain: 40 Years

Authoritatively written and including rare photography and memorabilia, this stunningly illustrated book explores every aspect of 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 The Official Prince 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: keyboardist Bobby Z., bassist Brown Mark, guitarist Wendy Melvoin, keyboardist Lisa Coleman, keyboardist Matt Fink, and vocalist Apollonia
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 an inspiring tribute to a legendary album from a legendary performer and artist.