André Cymone

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André Cymone (born Andre Simon Anderson) is a bassist, songwriter and record producer. His stage name comes from a variation of his middle name, Simon.

[edit] Early Years

Cymone was the youngest of six children. His father Fred Anderson was a musician, while his mother Bernadette a social worker in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Anderson home soon had an additional member — a young Prince who left his own home due to conflicts with his stepfather. Prince and Cymone started a cover band in high school called Grand Central (later renamed Champagne) which also included Cymone's sister Linda and schoolmate Morris Day.

[edit] Career

In the late 1970s, after Prince released his debut album he recruited Cymone as bassist for his touring band. He stayed with Prince until 1981, quitting the band over tensions with Prince.

The two later resolved their issues and Cymone went on to release 3 solo albums — Livin' in the New Wave (1982), Survivin' in the 80's (1983), and AC (1985). All are long out of print. His most successful single was "The Dance Electric," a song penned by Prince from the album AC.

Cymone went on to become a record producer and is better known for producing Jody Watley (to whom he was married and shares a son) than for the music he released as a solo artist. He has produced and written songs for several other artists, including Pebbles, Lalah Hathaway, Jermaine Stewart and Adam Ant.