Grand Prix -

Grand Prix was an English hard-rock band that made the 1980–82 RCA albums Grand Prix and There for None to See, followed by the 1983 Chrysalis release Samurai.

Members: Robin McAuley (vocals, 1981-84), Michael O’Donaghue (guitar, 1980-84), Ralph Hood (bass, 1980-84), Phil Lanzon (keyboards, 1979-84), Andy Bierne (drums, 1980-83), Bernie Shaw (vocals, 1978-81), Clive Edwards (drums, 1983-84)

Background

Grand Prix originated in London in December 1978, when singer Bernie Shaw joined guitarist Michael O’Donoghue, bassist Ralph Hood, and keyboardist Phil Lanzon in an unnamed band that soon adopted the name Paris.

O’Donoghue and Hood were friends who already played together before Shaw arrived from Canada. Lanzon had played piano since childhood and toured Europe with South London group the Loose Ends in the 1960s. He subsequently recorded singles with the Cats Pyjamas, studied harmony, counterpoint, and composition at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, then played with Neil Carter in the short-lived Romance. Lanzon joined Raw Deal in 1978 and participated in auditions that brought Shaw into the lineup.

Shaw had started as a guitarist in Victoria, British Columbia, before local band Cold Sweat recruited him as singer in 1974. The group later operated as Buckshot and worked hotel and club circuits across western Canada before breaking up in 1977. Shaw next spent nine months with Saskatoon band Legend, then moved to London in December 1978 after the group lost its live-work base. Drummer Andy Beirne came from Dirty Tricks, which he joined in 1976 after original drummer John Lee.

Paris developed around Shaw, O’Donoghue, Hood, Lanzon, and Beirne as the group pursued a recording contract. RCA signed the band, which changed its name to Grand Prix before the debut album. The five-piece recorded Grand Prix with producer Greg Walsh at Marcus Music for RCA.

Discography: