Before plunging into the mesmerizing historical context, the book opens with a vivid and evocative account of the Purple Rain tour's electrifying performance in Syracuse, NY, on March 30, 1985. At this point, the band had been on the road for nearly 16 months, cultivating an atmosphere brimming with momentum and intensity that captivated audiences all over the country. I was fortunate enough to experience this tour just over a month after it commenced, and the show was nothing short of a breathtaking spectacle. The Syracuse concert, arguably the zenith of the tour's fervor, showcased an unparalleled display of artistry—a masterclass in live performance that resonates deeply with anyone who witnessed it. The lingering question is: how did the Revolution ascend to such remarkable heights? This inquiry lies at the core of the author's insightful analysis.

In his exploration, Campion offers readers an intricate portrait of Prince, weaving in familiar details that dedicated fans are likely to recognize. However, he skillfully expands the narrative to illuminate the remarkable band members who constituted this legendary lineup. He takes us on a deep dive into the backgrounds of Dez Dickerson, André Cymone, Bobby Z, Gayle Chapman, Matt Fink, Lisa Coleman, Mark Brown, and Wendy Melvoin, painting a rich picture of how each individual's unique influences and contributions intertwined to shape the music of that transformative era. A central theme that emerges is the profound understanding that true "revolution" cannot exist without "evolution," a concept that becomes increasingly vibrant as Campion unfurls his narrative.

The book also delves into the creation of various side projects that sprang from Prince's extraordinary creativity. This includes the enigmatic unreleased album by the Revolution—often referred to as the Rebels—as well as the dynamic and funk-infused band led by Morris Day known as The Time, and the sultry, seductive girl group Vanity 6, among others. Campion adeptly maintains a chronological structure, skillfully guiding readers through the evolving musical landscape that Prince navigated during this critically significant phase of his illustrious career.

For anyone who is a devoted aficionado of Prince, especially during the era when he was buoyed by the Revolution, this book is an absolute must-read! As the title aptly suggests, the focus is on both Prince and his talented band. I must confess that as a lifelong admirer of Prince’s artistic journey—ever since I was entranced by the pulsating beats of “I Wanna Be Your Lover”—the Revolution has always held a special place in my heart as my favorite backing band. Reading about this iconic ensemble, their inception, and the captivating stories that brought them to life is nothing short of enthralling. The author has done a remarkable job of encapsulating the history of this influential band, crafting an outstanding and informative read that resonates with the spirit of their music.

Bloomsbury Academic provided an early galley for review.

Prince is my all-time favorite recording artist (period). How could I not check out Campion's upcoming book on the subject? Also, with an introduction by noted music expert Rob Sheffield, I knew this would be worth the read.

Before diving into the history, the book opens with an in-depth description of the Purple Rain tour performance from Syracuse, NY, on March 30, 1985. By this point, the band had been on the road for nearly 16 months. I saw the tour a little more than a month in of the run, and it was fantastic. The Syracuse show, near the height of the tour, was sheer perfection. How did the Revolution get to that point? That is the focus of the author's analysis.

Campion, of course, gives the reader the details about Prince that all devotees of the artist know. However, he also goes into great details about the rest of this band - telling us who they were, where they came from, and how they came to be part of this fantastic line up of performers. His book gives major props to Dez Dickerson, André Cymone, Bobby Z, Gayle Chapman, Matt Fink, Lisa Coleman, Mark Brown and Wendy Melvoin. I enjoyed reading about the influences each of them brought to the table and how those, in turn, helped to shape aspects of the music of that time. The key component to remember is there cannot be "revolution" with "evolution", and that becomes very apparent as Campion rolls through his narrative.

The book also covers the creation of various side projects that sprang forth from Prince's loins: the Revolution's (as the Rebels) unreleased album, the funk-filled Morris Day lead band the Time, the sexy girl-group Vanity 6 and more. Campion's narrative sticks to a chronological order which shows the changing tides that Prince navigated during this most prominent time in his career.

I very much recommend for both long-time fans as well as the more casual followers.

If you are an avid fan of Prince when his band was the Revolution,, this book is definitely for you!!! As the title says, this book is about Prince and the band. I must admit, as an avid Prince fan from “ I wanna be your lover” until today, The Revolution was my favorite backing band of his. To read about this iconic band, how they came to be and the story of them, is amazing. The author did an outstanding job capturing the history of this band, Outstanding read and very informative. I really enjoyed this book. A must read for any Prince fan as well as any Revolution fan, Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this wonderful book. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on my thoughts, words or review.