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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

The content of this book is very interesting to me as a MInneapolitan and fan of Prince but I couldn't get into the writing style.

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.

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.

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

this was a wonderful book both my and about immensely talented people. Thanks BownMark for taking me along on your wild ride.

Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC. Who knew? Who knew this all went on behind the scenes? Im amazed! Im ever more amazed that some of ny favorite Prince songs were actually written by Mark Brown! Wow . Amazed. So sorry he was cheated out of so much recognition.