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.

Foreword by: Maya Rudolph