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This Thing Called Life
- Prince's Odyssey, On and Off the Record
- Narrated by: Neal Karlen
- Length: 11 hrs and 28 mins
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Publisher's summary
This program is read by the author, and includes archival recordings of conversations between the author and Prince. A warm and surprisingly real-life biography of one of rock’s greatest talents: Prince.
Neal Karlen was the only journalist Prince granted in-depth press interviews to for over a dozen years, from before Purple Rain to when the artist changed his name to an unpronounceable glyph. Karlen interviewed Prince for three Rolling Stone cover stories, wrote “3 Chains o’ Gold", Prince’s “rock video opera”, as well as the star’s last testament, which may be buried with Prince’s will underneath Prince’s vast and private compound, Paisley Park.
According to Prince's former fiancée Susannah Melvoin, Karlen was “the only reporter who made Prince sound like what he really sounded like”. Karlen quit writing about Prince a quarter-century before the mega-star died, but he never quit Prince, and the two remained friends for the last 31 years of the superstar’s life.
Well before they met as writer and subject, Prince and Karlen knew each other as two of the gang of kids who biked around Minneapolis’s mostly-segregated Northside. (They played basketball at the Dairy Queen next door to Karlen’s grandparents, two blocks from the budding musician.) He asserts that Prince can’t be understood without first understanding ‘70s Minneapolis, and that even Prince’s best friends knew only 15 percent of him: That was all he was willing and able to give, no matter how much he cared for them.
Going back to Prince Rogers Nelson's roots, especially his contradictory, often tortured, and sometimes violent relationship with his father, This Thing Called Life profoundly changes what we know about Prince, and explains him as no biography has: a superstar who calls in the middle of the night to talk, who loved The Wire and could quote from every episode of The Office, who frequented libraries and jammed spontaneously for local crowds (and fed everyone pancakes afterward), who was lonely but craved being alone. Listeners will drive around Minneapolis with Prince in a convertible, talk about movies and music and life, and watch as he tries not to curse, instead dishing a healthy dose of “mamma jammas”.
A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press
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Tammy Wynette
- Tragic Country Queen
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- Narrated by: Robertson Dean
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Best-selling biographer Jimmy McDonough tells the story of the small-town girl who grew up to be the woman behind the microphone, whose meteoric rise led to a decades-long career full of tragedy and triumph. Through a high-profile marriage and divorce, her dreadful battle with addiction and illness, and the struggle to compete in a rapidly evolving Nashville, Tammy Wynette turned a brave smile toward the world and churned out masterful hit songs though her life resembled the most heartbreaking among them.
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Loved It!
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By: Jimmy McDonough
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Black Is the New White
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
For more than 40 years—whether writing for Richard Pryor and Saturday Night Live or performing stand-up to sold-out crowds around the country—Paul Mooney has been provocative, incisive...and absolutely hilarious. His comedy has always been indisputably real and raw, reflecting race issues in America, and this fascinating, fearless new memoir continues that unapologetically candid tradition.
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Master Piece!! I loved every moment.
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Walk This Way
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Overall
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Story
Washington Post staff writer Geoff Edgers takes a deep dive into the story behind "Walk This Way", Aerosmith and Run-DMC's legendary, groundbreaking mashup that forever changed music.
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A MUST LISTEN/READ
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The Never-Ending Present
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- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
From our talent-rich neighbor to the north comes this biography of one of the most successful Canadian rock bands, The Tragically Hip, which announced a year-long tour after sharing the news of lead singer Gord Downie’s inoperable cancer. Now available to US listeners, The Never-Ending Present details what led up to the memorable night when music fans all over the world watched Downie’s heroic final performance.
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Hometown Heroes
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By: Michael Barclay
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The Dark Story of Eminem
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
A ground-breaking story tracing Marshal Mathers' rise to fame from the schools and workplaces of his native Detriot to global superstardom.
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En-n-me
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By: Nick Hasted
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Overall
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Brandi Carlile was born into a musically gifted, impoverished family on the outskirts of Seattle and grew up in a constant state of change, moving from house to house, trailer to trailer, 14 times in as many years. Though imperfect in every way, her dysfunctional childhood was as beautiful as it was strange, and as nurturing as it was difficult. At the age of five, Brandi contracted bacterial meningitis, which almost took her life, leaving an indelible mark on her formative years and altering her journey into young adulthood.
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I have almost 2000 audible books and ...
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By: Brandi Carlile
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We Had a Little Real Estate Problem
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It was one of the most reliable jokes in Charlie Hill’s stand-up routine: “My people are from Wisconsin. We used to be from New York. We had a little real estate problem.” In We Had a Little Real Estate Problem, acclaimed comedy historian Kliph Nesteroff focuses on one of comedy’s most significant and little-known stories: how, despite having been denied representation in the entertainment industry, Native Americans have influenced and advanced the art form.
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Amazing book!
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The Gospel According to Luke
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In this incisive memoir, Steve Lukather tells the complete Toto story. He also lifts the lid on what went on behind the closed studio doors, shedding light on the unique creative processes of some of the most legendary names in music: from Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Stevie Nicks, and Elton John to Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, Bruce Springsteen, and Aretha Franklin. Lukather’s extraordinary tale also encompasses the dark side of stardom and the American Dream. Frank, engaging, and often hilarious, The Gospel According to Luke is no ordinary rock memoir.
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Wow Best Rock Biography Ever
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Johnny Cash
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Story
Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon dives deep into the singer’s inner demons, triumphs, and gradual return to faith. Laurie interviews Cash’s family, friends, and business associates to reveal how the singer’s true success came through finding the only Person whose star was bigger than his own.
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Best Cash biography by far
- By C. W. Walker on 08-27-19
By: Greg Laurie, and others
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All These Things That I've Done
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Matt Pinfield is the ultimate music fan. He's the guy who knows every song, artist, and musical riff ever recorded, down to the most obscure band's B-side single on its vinyl-only EP import. As a child, music helped Pinfield make sense of the world. Later he would approach his music idols after concerts and explain why he loved their music. As an adult, rock music inspired his career, fueled relationships, and, at times, became a life raft.
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great listen
- By nilda v. on 08-28-20
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Relentless
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Yngwie Malmsteen's revolutionary guitar style - combining elements of classical music with the speed and volume of heavy metal - made him a staple of the 80s rock scene. Decades later, he's still a legend among guitarists, having sold 11 million albums and influenced generations of rockers since. In Relentless, Malmsteen shares his personal story, from the moment he burst onto the scene seemingly out of nowhere in the early 80s to become a household name in the annals of heavy metal.
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Bloviations
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Keith Richards
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Performance
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In 1992, Victor Bockris' celebrated biography was the first to recognize Richards' pivotal role in the legend of the Rolling Stones. Now that book on rock's most incredible survivor has been expanded. Here are the true facts behind Richards' battles with his demons: the women, the drugs and the love-hate relationship with Jagger. His struggle with heroin and his status as the rock star most likely to die in the 1970s. His scarcely believable rebirth as a family man in the 1980s. Illuminated with revealing quotes and thoughtful insights into the man behind the band that goes on forever.
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doesn't comapre to LIFE
- By A. Garofalo on 02-20-14
By: Victor Bockris
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Battle Creek, Michigan, is famous as the birthplace of breakfast cereal, and the nearby suburb of Marshall is as wholesome as shredded wheat. Well-known for its colorful Victorian mansions, this stately slice of 19th-century Americana became infamous on a frigid night in February of 1991. Newscaster Diane Newton King was stepping out of her car, her children strapped into the backseat, when a sniper's bullet cut her down.
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It began as a home invasion by the “Manson family” in the early hours of August 9, 1969. It ended in a killing spree that left seven people dead: actress Sharon Tate, writer Voyteck Frykowski, coffee heiress Abigail Folger, hair stylist Jay Sebring, student Steven Parent, supermarket owner Leno LaBianca, and his wife, Rosemary. The shock waves of these crimes still reverberate today. They have also, over time, eclipsed the life of their most famous victim - a Dallas beauty queen with Hollywood aspirations.
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What listeners say about This Thing Called Life
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Hebern
- 05-18-21
An interesting story
Everyone thinks the music of their high school years is the best. In my case, I’m right. Or at least a strong argument can be made that I am. While I was in high school Thriller by Michael Jackson, Born In The USA by Bruce Springsteen, Like A Virgin by Madonna and Purple Rain by Prince all came out. Talk about iconic albums by iconic performers.
This book is about Prince. The older I get, the more nostalgic I get. I hadn’t heard much about this particular book, but I was interested in learning more about Prince so I got it on the recent Audible sale.
I did learn a lot of things about Prince that I didn’t know. The author was a one time writer for Rolling Stone, who had become close to Prince. Or at least as close as Prince would allow someone in that position to become. They were in contact regularly for the last 30 years of Prince’s life. Prince even had the author to write something for his time capsule. A time capsule the author is convinced also contains Prince’s missing will. The book does give a behind the scenes look at Prince and includes the tape from an interview that the author conducted with Prince. In many of the reviews of the book I saw two complaints. First, that he showed too many bad things about Prince. I discount this. Any biography about anyone that only discusses the positives of the person is a work of fiction. All humans have flaws. The second main complaint is the author publishes “off the record” interviews. Prince has been gone 5 years now. I’m ok with him releasing it now to give an accurate picture of the man for history.
I do have some complaints with the book, however. First, the author interjects himself into the story way too much. In telling about Prince’s basketball ability for example, the author goes into detail about his own failed high school basketball career. There was a lot of that. I hate to tell him but the readers are here for Prince stories, not Neal stories. Second, the book is a non-linear one that is basically just a lot of Prince stories from the author’s perspective and experience. Since this was my first Prince book, a traditional biography would have been better for me. Finally, the author repeats himself. A lot. Some quotes make 3 or more appearances.
Overall, the picture of Prince that emerges is one of huge musical talent. A guy who played all the instruments and wrote all the songs on most of the albums. A guy, who like wrestlers adopted a persona as an entertainer and never dropped the act in public. The author discussed Prince’s kayfabe a lot. A guy who was depressed and lonely while living a life that so many of us would think is ideal. A guy who like many I’ve read about as having reached the absolute pinnacle of their field is better to watch from afar than to be in a personal relationship with.
With all the faults of the book, it did make me want to get another Prince book at some time in the future to get another perspective. Prince was obviously hugely talented and also a very interesting person.
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- amber
- 08-08-21
Learned ALOT...
I thought a different perspective on Princes life by a long time friend was super interesting. I believe its a truthful honest read on what the writer went through while knowing Prince. I enjoyed it so much. Only thing that personally bothered me was the tone of the writers voice but after I got over that I did enjoy it comming from his look on their life knowing one another. Thank you for writing this BOOK!
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- Pro Female Bodybuilder
- 06-11-22
Heartfelt Reminiscence
I found Neal Karlen’s book to be the most honest telling of a “friendship” as backed by his evidence of tapes from years covering Prince for Rolling Stone.
He gives the most eye opening revelations into one of the most secretive personalities that had ever been a part of pop culture, and he does it from a place of genuine respect for Prince and admiration for his talent.
Ultimately, he allows the reader to see Prince as HUMAN & not just some untouchable, perfect, unfathomable musical genius. This book should be listened to simply because the author wrote about the subject as he really was, not as this mythological character.
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- luv2shop62
- 11-07-23
Very Insightful
I learned so much about Prince. I loved hearing the recordings of his voice. I loved hearing all the stories. Some sad & some funny. Every minute was interesting. Highly recommend.
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- Elizabeth Ferguson
- 10-27-20
What a Unique Perspective on the life & times of Prince 💜💜
If you want an outsider’s view as he becomes a real insider , almost unbeknownst to himself... then this is the memoir for you.
Karlen uses relatable imagery and terms that Prince himself would use to tell and weave the story of a rock genius.
Sit back in the convertible and let Neal take you for a ride on the Prince Expressway of life, love and the Question of U.
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- Ryan A. Todd
- 10-17-23
A solid, well-crafted window into Prince, the human.
Neal gives a semi-insider’s view into the true man Prince likely was, what he showed to others, the identities he took on and cast off, and the melange they all made to confound people looking to figure him out. Having read more than a few books on Prince, I found this one engaging, insightful, fair, and eye-opening. Feels like Neal gave us a closer look into an extremely complex figure than many have managed. The opening chapter about Prince’s death was also very moving. Worth your time if you’re a fan.
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- C. Bournea
- 02-20-21
A Must Read for Prince Fans
Fascinating insights into the genius who can never be fully understood. Neal Karlen explains why so many who knew and worked with Prince have widely varying perceptions of him: socially awkward loner or a social butterfly who hosted star-studded parties and late night jam sessions for fans? Perfectionist or a virtuoso who was more concerned with getting his music on tape than making it sound pristine? Tyrant or philanthropist? Yes.
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- Torrance W.
- 10-29-20
This thing called life
Like many Prince fans I have read or listened to many of the fascinating stories about Prince. What has become very clear is the people who knew Prince from his younger days in Minneapolis or worked with Prince have a much more intimate story of him as a person than someone on the outside. This is very good audiobook but not for typical Prince fans who may get offended by some of the personal stories or audio recordings of Prince talking.
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- Danielle L. Lewis
- 01-04-23
Intriguing
I enjoyed listening to the interviews. Hearing Prince’s voice is moving. Karlen’s relaying of his experiences with Prince- who he was and wasn’t really smacks of truth. It made me question who really knew the man. Who did he trust? It made me listen to everything Prince was saying, searching for truth. At times depressing , because at the end of the day, a big portion of Prince’s life is depressing. His loneliness really resonates. But as relates by Karlen, he lived a full filled life, a life of purpose as an artist. But his human side remains a mystery and it seems that’s is how Prince wanted it…
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- Hello123
- 02-07-21
Loved !
I loved this book it was very insightful and real, for me it painted a picture of a man who led an extraordinary life doing what he loves best Music.
Life happens to all of us and how we respond is the most important.
I love you prince ❤️
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