Feel My Big Guitar

Judson L. Jeffries is professor of African American and African studies at The Ohio State University-Columbus. He is editor or author of numerous books, including Huey P. Newton: The Radical Theorist and On the Ground: The Black Panther Party in Communities across America, both published by University Press of Mississippi. Shannon M. Cochran is professor of English and interdisciplinary studies at Clayton State University, where she directs the African American Studies and Women's and Gender Studies programs. Molly Reinhoudt is managing editor of Research in African Literatures and Spectrum: A Journal on Black Men in the Department of African American and African Studies at The Ohio State University.

Prince fans and others interested in popular music will find much to love and ponder in this engaging collection.--Brett Rohlwing "Library Journal" Given the incredibly broad scope of Prince's talent, we could be interrogating the man and his creative output until the end of time. Nevertheless, this highly readable collection draws together a fascinating range of perspectives, which effectively spans Prince's diverse career. A thoughtful, surprising, and at times laugh-out-loud contribution to the growing field of Prince studies.--Sam Coley, associate professor researching music documentary production at Birmingham City University, United Kingdom This thoroughly researched, persuasively argued, and groundbreaking body of work examines the aesthetic achievements and organic style of a young entrepreneur, artist, producer, writer, and actor, who was not only a versatile musician, i.e., mastering a collection of electric guitars, drums, pianos and keyboards, but is also recognized as a trend setter and fashion icon. Feel My Big Guitar: Prince and the Sound He Helped Create explores the influences of Jimi Hendrix, Rick James, George Clinton, and Joni Mitchell on Prince, who was a musical genius and pioneer. Prince's music represents a 'conscious-raising experience, ' and his legend was that of one of the most valuable artists in America. Prince was 'unquestionably a political animal' who successfully linked radical lyrics, an independent spirit, and symbolic facial art. Prince, as this volume illustrates, 'left no stone unturned.' Funk was in his DNA, as was rock, soul, and R&B.--Ronald J. Stephens, professor of African American studies in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies at Purdue University