| Title | : | My Life in the Purple Kingdom |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1517913756 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781517913755 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 176 |
| Publication | : | First published September 22, 2020 |
In the summer of 1981, Mark Brown was a teenager working at a 7-11 store when he wasn’t rehearsing with his high school band, Phantasy. Come fall, Brown, now called BrownMark, was onstage with Prince at the Los Angeles Coliseum, opening for the Rolling Stones in front of 90,000 people. My Life in the Purple Kingdom is BrownMark’s memoir of coming of age in the musical orbit of one of the most visionary artists of his generation. Raw, wry, real, this book takes us from his musical awakening as a boy in Minneapolis to the cold call from Prince at nineteen, from touring the world with The Revolution and performing in Purple Rain to inking his own contract with Motown. BrownMark’s story is that of a hometown kid, living for sunny days when his transistor would pick up KUXL, a solar-powered, shut-down-at-sundown station that was the only one that played R&B music in Minneapolis in 1968. But once he took up the bass guitar—and never looked back—he entered a whole new realm, and, literally at the right hand of Twin Cities musical royalty, he joined the funk revolution that integrated the Minneapolis music scene and catapulted him onto the international stage. BrownMark describes how his funky stylings earned him a reputation (leading to Prince’s call) and how he and Prince first played together at that night’s sudden audition—and never really stopped. He takes us behind the scenes as few can, into the confusing emotional and professional life among the denizens of Paisley Park, and offers a rare, intimate look into music at the heady heights that his childhood self could never have imagined. An inspiring memoir of making it against stacked odds, experiencing extreme highs and lows of success and pain, and breaking racial barriers, My Life in the Purple Kingdom is also the story of a young man learning his craft and honing his skill like any musician, but in a world like no other and in a way that only BrownMark could tell it.
My Life in the Purple Kingdom Reviews
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You expect from the title this book would be about BrownMarks time playing with Prince. This book was an ego trip for Mark as he seems to have forgotten to mention Prince except to take stabs at him. If you are looking for a book on Prince pass this one up. This book would have been better titled Mark's memoir and it would have gotten way higher score. It was well written and entertaining but Prince rarely showed up in it.
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This was an interesting listen, but kind of short. I did enjoy it though, I just wish there was a bit more to it. I feel like there's lots more stories to tell.
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BrownMark wrote this book like he was sitting down next to you telling you about his life, from the time he moved to Minnesota as a child, through his first contact with Prince, becoming a member of the band and going on tour for the first time, and finally the last straw. The thing that finally made BrownMark stand up and say, “No” to Prince and finally leave Prince, and Paisley Park behind.
BrownMark tells you about his history alongside one of the best entertainers in music history. From the Controversy album, through the wild ride of Purple Rain, and through Under the Cherry Moon. From his first time on stage, opening for The Rolling Stones, through the exhausting Purple Rain tour, through filming both Purple Rain and Under the Cherry Moon. We glimpse Prince as others in his inner circle saw him, manipulative, lying, and jealous all the while showing the world what a great musician, producer, and writer he was. BrownMark does not in any way sugar coat his time as part of Prince’s inner circle, but he’s also not hateful. He’s still grateful to the start that Prince gave him. He’s grateful to many people, including his mother, his friends, and to the people who stood by him.
BrownMark tells you the amazing story of his life, and for this I’m grateful. I didn’t know much about the man with the curls killing that bass behind Prince on so many iconic albums. The man who went on to have an amazing career after he left The Revolution.
Are you a fan of funk? Do you love that thumping bass? Are you a fan of Motown or Prince? If you say yes to any of that, I suggest you read My Life in the Purple Kingdom by BrownMark. If you aren’t already a fan of his, you soon will be.
*I received an ARC of this story from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review. -
BrownMark remembers Prince, at one of their first rehearsals together, literally screaming in his ear to play his bass: a cryptic instruction Brown finally understood to mean playing bigger, louder, and with more style. He delivered.
The tension between delivering for Prince yet not showing him up permeates the book, a frankly uneasy account of what Brown calls "the carrot and the hat trick." As his years in Prince's service extended, Brown yearned to work on his own projects, but Prince kept roping him back in by dangling carrots: more money, more credit, more ownership. The carrot just kept moving, though, and finally Brown had to go his own way as the Parade Tour ended and along with it, the Revolution.
I reviewed My Life in the Purple Kingdom for The Current. -
This memoir from one of Prince's bandmates was a stellar memoir even though it was self-deprecating in some parts. Being a fan of Prince, I did know BrownMark wrote some of his well-known songs but without much recognition. It was nice to learn about Prince's early career and that he really wasn't nicest person at times, but I felt like he was calling out Prince for not letting him get more attention. I do enjoy reading about POV though.
This was well written, even if he casts Prince in a negative light; I sure hope this doesn't Prince's memory because that would be awful. A recommended read for any fan of Prince.
Thanks to Netgalley, BrownMark and University of Minnesota Press for an ARC in exchange for honest review.
Available: 9/22/20 -
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog
BrownMark's biography is an interesting one: the first part really highlights the racial issues that even now are tearing the country apart (but specifically in Minnesota, with the George Floyd incident this year). The second part is life in The Revolution and how even to bandmates, Prince was an enigma and a cypher. Although the Revolution only had about a 3 year existence, it was during Prince's height of popularity and therefore highly impactful. The writing is straightforward and easy to follow but don't expect too many exposes or secrets. I think BrownMark did an excellent job of straddling the good and the frustrating of working with Prince.
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The first part of the book is life growing up in Minnesota, getting into music and local bands, and a bit of a hardscrabble life. There are hard life lessons here - from being stupid about his partying to parents of friends referring to him as "That N***** friend of yours is on the phone." Later dealings with authorities who work together to take his possessions knowing that as an African American he won't be able to fight back successful are also a harsh testimony that racism was institutionalized even in the North. At the same time, drugs, partying, and a life spent stupidly are also on offer, though not reflected on as harshly as perhaps they should have been.
BrownMark came into Prince's band the way most of the others did: as part of a handpicked set who would neither upstage nor compete with him. As has been noted in later interviews, the Revolution was Prince's utopian mini-society, free of gender, class, or race restrictions. BrownMark was one of the last members to join (Wendy, the guitarist, was the last) and therefore always felt more like an outsider (Wendy was Lisa's girlfriend at the time and therefore was already familiar with the band). And although Prince was often seen with his guitarists in videos or on stage (Dez and later Wendy), you'll rarely see BrownMark highlighted in any of the videos or concerts. BrownMark suggests that wasn't an oversight. At the same time, it is clear that BrownMark sees Prince as a genius and that although controlling, he produced results of amazing creativity and passion. And that he owes a lot of Prince for bringing him into The Revolution.
From his nervous audition with Prince to life on the road, there are some insights but somehow a lot feels left out. We do get discussions on the infamous Rolling Stones tour, some setbacks the band had, and then the grueling life on the road anecdotes. But there is also the denouement as Prince began to change direction and The Revolution was phased out. I would have wished for a lot more anecdotes of the actual Revolution period.
BrownMark has a bit of a challenge here in this biography because it is never easy to show a negative side of a beloved figure with a huge fanbase. There were many instances that felt like Prince was trying to disenfranchise him or ensure that he did not compete with Prince on stage and in videos. In the movie, all his lines were cut. On stage, lighting crew were told to keep the spotlights off him purposely. In videos, you can see that he very rarely shows up - and almost always in the background or in the dark. That was BrownMark's frustration with Prince and how he seemed to be marginalized once he lost the 'naive young kid' identity. There are other questions such as royalties and how they were distributed (or not) discussed as well.
To BrownMark, Prince was just as much an enigma as he was to the public. He gave BrownMark his break into the industry and taught him how to be a rock star. For that, BrownMark has nothing but respect for the creative genius. But it wasn't always a rosy (or purple) picture and I appreciate that we get a more balanced view of Prince (if not the band since BrownMark rarely discusses his bandmates). BrownMark came in as an outsider right at the height of fame and it is clear that he always felt that way through to the end of the band.
The book ends with the dissolve of the Revolution. BrownMark doesn't go into what happens after that in the intervening years but there are many interviews out there now that The Revolution is touring together again after the death of Prince. So although you won't get much in the way of insider info about Prince, you do get a feel for life in The Revolution working with Prince. It may not be a satisfying read in that regard but then is there anyone out there who really did understand Prince in an intimate close friend way? Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher. -
I'm a huge Prince fan, and I came across this book with high expectation. It was okay, but it wasn't quite what I was expecting. For instance, there was far more on BrownMark's personal background that I thought there would be. It was interesting, but based on the title, I thought the entire book would focus on his "life in the purple kingdom," but that wasn't the case. If you enjoy memoirs, you may want to check this one out. If you're reading it for the Prince angle, there are other books on the market that you may prefer.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review. -
A nice enough idea but feels like a cash-in. A crucial enough component of the Revolution band at one point, sure. But what feels like a feature article has been crossed with a thin diary to pad out a (small) book. A few nuggets for Prince fans, absolutely. But really he is elevating his story by choosing to reconnect with his former boss at the obvious time of mourning. I just wasn’t quite feeling it, eh.
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Short and sweet autobiography of BrownMark from his time with Prince during the 1999 and Purple Rain years. We learn: 1. Fans can be insane and scary 2. BrownMark is a super nice (if not a bit naive at times) guy and 3. Prince was a MASSIVE douche bag (and this isn't the first book dealing with Prince that has shared that opinion).
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Short but informational. More superficial than I was hoping, but with great anecdotes that gave insight into what it was like to grow up as a minority in 1970's Minneapolis and to work for His Purple Highness at the height of the Purple Rain craze in the early 80's. I would love to read more from the perspectives of other members of The Revolution.
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I enjoyed hearing all of the background stories from someone that was a part of the mega stardom that was Prince and The Revolution. However, this seemed to lack true vulnerability for some reason. Don’t get me wrong, I’m aware that the author doesn’t owe us anything but there was something about this that smacked of insincerity. I believe the stories to all be true but I can’t help but to feel as if there something a little off in how they are told. Almost as if the author is concealing some of the true feelings/thoughts involved that makes him a complete innocent or a victim in every situation posed.
Oh, and I still do stand by what I said in a prior review of Prince - he was a jerk. -
Ok read. Not bad, not good. Was really looking forward to this book but was never wowed when reading it. Better books about Price are available. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the arc of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on this review.
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This is a short but informative book on the time that Mark Brown was a part of Prince's band.
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My Life in the Purple Kingdom by BrownMark is an interesting and quick read that offers another glimpse into the early years of Prince.
Although BrownMark's life, as far as this memoir goes, is interesting in its own right the biggest appeal is the intimate connection to early Prince. For a Prince fan, which I am, it can be both fun and a little disappointing. Like most people, not just celebrities, Prince was not always the best person, and apparently BrownMark was on the short end of a couple of Prince's less sterling moments.
Parts of the memoir keep the reader fully engaged and other parts can be a little hard to swallow. I don't say that because I either doubt him or question his perspective but because memoirs by nature are a person's way of telling the story the way they want it known. When some of the "poor innocent naive me" sections come up the tone of the memoir does not, to me, help him make his points. I would have thought the co-writer (or whatever the "with" means before another name) would have helped to keep the voice of the memoir more even.
I definitely recommend this book to both Prince fans and those who like celebrity memoirs. My issues with the book are largely the ones I have with every memoir, it is a person putting their own spin on their own life. We accept a more intimate narrative in exchange for what is often an unconscious censoring of events and motives. This book will not disappoint any readers who accept that.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. -
I honor BrownMark's perspective & I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The only reason that this book isn't 5 stars to me is because I feel that it's a first draft as per the story - there was so much to vent as per cruel treatment to Mark from Prince that it's only natural that it needed to be aired out for catharsis. I'm glad it was not only for Mark's sake, but also to better inform Prince fans of how Prince could be in his worst moments, showing his fallible, fragile humanity.
There are several good moments listed in this book about Mark's experience with Prince, but I wish that there had been more explored in-depth. I know from other interviews & books that there was so many other good times & so much love between Prince, Mark, & everyone else in the Revolution. Sadly we only get a taste of that in this otherwise fantastic book. Once the cruelty had been vented & the feelings resolved, it would have been good to balance those negative experiences with the positive to create a truly well-rounded picture.
Regardless, thank you Mark for your story. I wish I could hear the other parts of it, but I'm grateful for what's told here. This story is definitely worth it for any fans of the Revolution, Prince, & the magic that they created together. -
Thank you to University of Minnesota Press and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
Now available!
From his early days as a teenager in the hoods of Minneapolis to the star-studded days of playing bass guitar as a part of Prince and the Revolution, Mark Brown has truly lived a memorable life. "My Life in the Purple Kingdom" is a fun, lighthearted and contemplative memoir in which Brown reflects on his musical journey, his romantic relationships, racial tensions and his close relationship with his mother. Written in a conversational tone, Brown lures in the reader with his easygoing charm and takes them on a whirlwind journey behind one of America's biggest and most influential bands. Definitely worth a read! -
My Life is a unique glimpse into the window of Prince's life, but also as a "sixth man" player in a whirlwind of pop culture. Imagine being six feet away from one of the most famous people in the world at the height of their fame? what does that do to a person, especially a person with their own creative thoughts and ideas, and aspirations of individual fame?
It's an interesting look. Don't expect a bunch of "hot goss" or any messiness here. This isn't that book. It's a diary of sorts, a personal reflection of one of the most unique parallel lives one can possibly live, and a worthy read in that regard. -
I got this book because I love Prince and thought that just maybe I would be able to really learn more about him. Well, not really in this book, except a few mentions. I did not really love this book, but then again, I did not hate it. I did not really find it very interesting and it was hard to finish. The writing was okay, but it just did not keep my interest. I would not read it again. If you want to know more about Prince, I would not recommend this book. There are others out there that are much better.
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BrownMark's deep dig into life before and after Prince and all the joys and sorrows. A book at least die-hard fans should check out. He pulls no punches as he discusses his childhood in a slowly integrating Minneapolis, his experience in various local bands, and his resolve to battle his boss Prince's mind games and tough approach to musical discipline.
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Prince's bassist's memoir covers the struggles and triumphs of a man that achieved success that he never could have imagined. BrownMark wrote a fascinating book about the behind the scenes life of being in Prince's inner circle.
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Surprisingly boring book that partially has to do with Prince.
BrownMark comes off as bitter and angry. -
Being familiar with BrownMark I immediately requested the ARC of My Life in the Purple Kingdom from NetGalley. I received this copy in exchange for an honest review with no promise of writing a positive one.
This is the story of another person from Prince's bizarre court. Mark Brown was a young naive musician who became enthralled with an individual he viewed as a musical genius. Once he discovered his love for the guitar it compelled him to not only master the instrument but to pursue a career in a city where venues were primarily segregated.
After being taking through a strange audition Mark replaced Andre' Cymone as the bass guitarist in Prince's band. He is then renamed BrownMark and subjected to physical, financial, and psychogical abuse by a man that he still considers a brother.
It's amazing to me that there is another account in the world detailing the bizarre behavior of someone who was clearly an insecure narcissist who only cared about making money. I really loved the details about Mark's childhood and family life. I admire his ability to forgive Prince for his irreprehensible behavior. Mostly I am impressed at the fact that he learned from his mistakes and went on to establish a career in spite of being cast into the shadows.
