Grand Central

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Grand Central


Grand Central was a band formed in 1971, while in high-school, by Prince (keyboard and guitar) and André Anderson (bass) with Prince’s second cousin, Charles ‘Chazz’ Smith on drums. They initially did not have a name, but when Terry Jackson (percussion) joined they briefly went by Charles; Cousin & Friends, Phoenix, Sex Machine, finally settling for Grand Central. André Cymone’s sister Linda Anderson (keyboard) and soon after William "Hollywood" Doughty (percussion) also joined the group. They rehearsed at Terry Jackson’s house (next to the Anderson’s house where Prince and André lived) and primarily played at local community centers and high school dances. By late 1974, after a recording session at the Cookhouse Studio (Minneapolis, Minnesota), drummer Charles ‘Chazz’ Smith was replaced by Morris Day. After Morris Day’s mother started managing them in 1975 they changed their name to 'Grand Central Corporation', but weren’t always consistently billed as such.

Grand Central/Grand Central Corporation’s shows were mainly cover versions of 1973-1976 hits and favourite songs. Some of the songs known to have been played (or perhaps simply learned and rehearsed) are : Wildflowers by New Birth (sung by Prince & André), Rufus’ version of Stevie Wonder’s Maybe Your Baby (sung by Prince), The Isley Brothers’ version of Summer Breeze, The StylisticsPeople Make The World Go Round, Major HarrisLove Won’t Let Me Wait (sung by Morris Day), Billy Preston’s Outa-Space and Sly & The Family Stone’s : Everybody Is A Star, Skin I’m In and Loose Booty. Some original music composed by Prince, André Anderson, Charles ‘Chazz’ Smith and/or Morris Day were also played.

Prince, André Anderson and Morris Day recorded some songs at the Asi Studio in early 1976. More sessions followed in Spring before Prince went solo. It wasn’t until mid-1976, after Prince and Terry Jackson left the band that they evolved into Shampayne (sometimes spelled 'Champagne'). They disbanded altogether in 1978.

Band Members

Grand Central original songs