PRISM were in fact a collection of session musicians gelled into a band by Bruce Allen, manager of LOVERBOY and RED RIDER among others. The roots of the band go back to Vancouver in the early 70's when drummer Jim Vallance and Bruce Fairbairn had a Jazz Rock act named SUNSHYNE. Recruiting former SEEDS OF TIME guitarist Lindsey Mitchell together with vocalist Ron Tabak and second guitarist Tom Lavin the band changed names to UNDER CONSTRUCTION. Apparently the act also went under the name STANLEY SCREAMER for a short while. With the addition of keyboard player John Hall the act became PRISM.

The debut album, the first of many to be produced by the esteemed late Bruce Fairbairn, comprised of Tabak, Mitchell, Lavin, Hall, bassist Ab Bryant and drummer Rodney Higgs. The latter was in fact Jim Vallance going under a pseudonym. Whilst recording PRISM undertook an American tour in 1976 after which Lavin left. Vallance also departed unhappy with life on the road. He would of course become an internationally known hit songwriter.

The first PRISM album was issued in 1977 and immediately gave the band a big Canadian hit with 'Spaceship Superstar'. The 1978 follow up 'See Forever Eyes' witnessed the departure of Bryant who eventually wound up with HEADPINS. New recruits were Allen Harlow on guitar and drummer Rocket Norton. This line up was to remain stable over a series of releases 'Live Tonite', 1979's 'Armageddon' and 1980's 'Young And Restless'.

The songwriting partnership of Mitchell and Harlow came to an end during 1981 with the pair going their separate ways. Tabak's rock n' roll lifestyle had forced his departure from the ranks. With an album required for contractual reasons Allen drafted American vocalist Henry Small, previously with SMALL WONDER, and various session musicians to record the 'Small Change' album as quite surreally PRISM swapped nationalities to become an almost all American band.

The touring line up of PRISM in 1982 comprised of Small, guitarist Paul Warren, former LOST AND FOUND bassist John Trivers, also noted as a lyricist for BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, the token Canadian ex-BOB SEGER keyboard player Robyn Robbins and drummer Doug Maddick. 1983's 'Beat Street' featured BILL CHAMPLIN, guitarist Richie Zito, JOURNEY drummer Mike Baird, TOTO vocalist BOBBY KIMBALL and Alan Pasqua backing Small.

The Canadian members of PRISM discussed a possible return to action although plans were brought to an abrupt halt when Tabak was killed in a car crash during 1984. He died in police custody of a brain haemorrage.

Another reformation was prompted by Capitol issuing the compilation album 'Sixty Minutes With Prism'. The record included two new numbers including the Vallance written 'Good To Be Back'.

The final PRISM album 1993's 'Jericho' provided yet another line up with Darcy Deutsch on lead vocals, the returning Harlow, Mitchell and Norton along with keyboard player Andy Lorimer. The two new members had been found performing PRISM covers with their band SIMON KAOS.

Support in the studio came from BRYAN ADAMS, PAUL JANZ, MARK LAFRANCE and Jim Vallance on drums. RICK SPRINGFIELD also contributed on the singwriting front. Despite the pedigree the album failed to sell.

Deutsch fronted POKERFACE in 1996 for their 'Life's A Gamble' album. Lorimer and Deutsch turned up on PROJECT X's 'Blueprint For Excess' the same year. PRISM toured Canada in 2000 sharing a bill with HELIX and HEADPINS.

Late 2005 revealed that PRISM was working on a new studio album with a working title of 'Full Circle'.