Prince (February 13, 1976) Nelson Finds It “Hard to Become Known” – Central High Pioneer

A rare and insightful early interview with 17-year-old Prince Nelson while still a senior at Central High School in Minneapolis

SOURCE DETAILS

Publication: Central High Pioneer Date: February 13, 1976

Country: United States Section / Pages: Student Feature / Music

THE STORY In this candid interview, Prince Nelson discusses his two years playing with Grand Central Corporation, his musical beginnings on piano and guitar, and the challenges of breaking into the music industry from Minneapolis. He expresses frustration at the lack of big record companies and studios in the state, while sharing his love for Central High and his ambitions for the future.

CONTEXT & NOTES This is one of the earliest known published interviews with Prince, conducted while he was still in high school. At the time, he was already leading a band, writing songs, and dreaming of professional success. The piece offers a fascinating glimpse into his mindset just before he signed with Warner Bros. and began his legendary career.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS Event: Early student newspaper interview with Prince Nelson Era: 1976 – Pre-fame / High School years Tone: Honest and aspirational Photography: Black-and-white portrait of Prince at the piano Audience: Central High School students and local readers

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS A full newspaper article with the headline “Nelson finds it ‘hard to become known’”. It includes a photo of Prince seated at a piano and several paragraphs where he discusses his band, instruments, teachers, and future goals.

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“I play with Grand Central Corporation. I’ve been playing with them for two years,” Prince Nelson, senior at Central, said. Prince started playing piano at age seven and guitar when he got out of eighth grade.

Prince was born in Minneapolis. When asked, he said, “I was born here, unfortunately.” Why? “I think it is very hard for a band to make it in this state, even if they’re good. Mainly because there aren’t any big record companies or studios in this state. I really feel that if we would have lived in Los Angeles or New York or some other big city, we would have gotten over by now.”

He likes Central a great deal, because his music teachers let him work on his own. He now is working with Mr. Bickham, a music teacher at Central, but has been working with Mrs. Doepkes.

Prince has a brother that goes to Central whose name is Duane Nelson, who is more athletically enthusiastic. He plays on the basket-ball team and played on the football team. Duane is also a senior.

Prince plays by ear. “I’ve had about two lessons, but they didn’t help much. I think you’ll always be able to do what your ear tells you, so just think how great you’d be with lessons also,” he said.

“I advise anyone who wants to learn guitar to get a teacher unless they are very musically inclined. One should learn all their scales too. That is very important,” he continued.

Prince would also like to say that his band is in the process of recording an album containing songs they have composed. It should be released during the early part of the summer.

“Eventually I would like to go to college and start lessons again when I’m much older.”

He plays several instruments, such as guitar, bass, all key-boards, and drums. He also sings sometimes, which he picked up recently. He played saxophone in seventh grade but gave it up. He regrets he did. He quit playing sax when school ended one summer. He never had time to practice sax anymore when he went back to school. He does not play in the school band. Why? “I really don’t have time to make the concerts.”

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