This line-up featured Thin Lizzy members Brian Downey (drums) and John Sykes (lead guitar); plus keyboardist Mark Stanway (Magnum) and rhythm guitarist Doish Nagle (ex-The Bogey Boys).

When Thin Lizzy completed its farewell tour in September 1983, Lynott continued working with this configuration as a band project that eventually became known as Grand Slam.

Sykes departed the project following an offer to join Whitesnake and was replaced with guitarist Laurence Archer (ex Stampede), who had previously been approached by Lynott.

Phil Lynott died on 4 January 1986 from liver, heart and kidney failure, due to years of drug abuse and alcohol excess.

In 2016, Mark Stanway reformed Grand Slam together with Laurence Archer, drummer Micky Barker (ex Magnum), bassist Neil Murray (ex Whitesnake, Black Sabbath etc.)

In 2018, Laurence Archer with Mike Dyer, Dave Boyce and Benjy Reid recorded a new Grand Slam studio album at VADA Recording studios with producer Matt Terry, reworking 3 of the original Grand slam material written by Phil Lynott, Laurence Archer and Mark Stanway.