[1] In 1967 the band was backed by and toured with a large Kansas City horn band known as the Smokin' Emeralds and performed its version of a Motown-style revue, which drew large crowds at a venue called the Place in the Westport district of Kansas City.

By 1971, the band consisted of Melvin Webb on drums, Roger Durham (February 14, 1946 – July 27, 1973) on percussion, Charles Love on guitar and vocals (born Charles D. Love Jr., April 18, 1945, Salina, Kansas – March 6, 2014, Kansas City, Missouri),[2] Charles McCormick (May 8, 1946 – April 12, 2022) on bass, Harry Williams (June 19, 1944 – November 22, 2024) on percussion, and Willis Draffen (March 18, 1945 – February 8, 2002) on guitar.

After learning to play their respective musical instruments, they moved to Los Angeles, California, where they met their prospective managers George Braunstein and Ron Hamady.

The first album was titled Bloodstone, whereas there were two singles released simultaneously called "That's the Way We Make Our Music", and "Girl (You Look So Fine)", written and arranged by Eddie Summers, the newest member.

The album was written by various members of the group Bloodstone, with the single "Natural High" reaching number 10 on the Pop chart.

It reached number 40 on the UK chart in August 1973 and was featured in the Decca "World of Hits" series of compilation albums.

Their 1973 album Natural High, produced by Mike Vernon, sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A.