About the Author

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.

Reviews

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