This now-demolished building—an actual tire store—proved crucial in the development of Prince’s music. In the summer and fall of 1978, he rented a room in the back of the building to serve as an audition and rehearsal space. Then he placed an ad in…

Built in 1970, Sound 80 Studio attracted artists as varied as Bob Dylan, Lipps, Inc., the Suicide Commandos, and Cat Stevens to record in their state-of-the-art studio. During the early months of 1977, the relatively-unknown Prince took a turn at…

This location served as the office and studio owned by Owen Husney, a local musician and producer. In 1976, Chris Moon introduced Prince to Husney, who was blown away by Prince’s talent, and became the musician's manager and mentor. Prince,…

In early 1976, Prince cut demo tapes here with his friends and bandmates André Cymone and Morris Day. Studio owner and part-time music producer Chris Moon recognized Prince’s talent. He helped the young musician better understand record producing,…

Local musician Pepe Willie hired Prince to play guitar and synthesizer in 94 East for a recording session at Cookhouse Studio. This was the young musician’s first-ever professional recording. Previous iterations of the studio saw the recording of…

Central High School was the heart of the Southside African-American community for most of the twentieth century. Despite protests, the Minneapolis Public Schools decided to close the building in 1982. It was demolished soon thereafter (except for…

This was the home of Charles “Chazz” Smith, Prince’s cousin and musical collaborator. Grand Central—Prince's earliest band—had its roots here. Prince and Charles would jam in the den above the garage, and neighborhood kids would come and listen…

The Way was a Northside community center established in the aftermath of the urban unrest of 1966  resulting from racial and economic inequalities. In its wake, city leaders came together to create a space in the neighborhood devoted to cultivating…

Prince spent his last year of high school (1975-1976) living at Bernadette Anderson’s home at 1244 Russell Avenue North. Anderson was the mother of the musician later known as André Cymone. She supported the musical aspirations of her children and…

Prince lived intermittently with his Aunt Olivia in this home while attending school at Bryant Junior High School and Central High School. In the mid-1970s, Prince called this corner of the Old Southside home. But the two clashed over Prince’s…