The band was led by founders Michael Holm (Lothar Bernhard Walter; 1943–) and Kristian Schultze (1945–2011).
Michael Holm, already a successful vocal artist, sought to make a musical tribute to ancient cultures.
He and Kristian Schultze, formerly a member of the jazz band Passport, shared musical and historical interests.
Their albums consistently reached very high peaks on the instrumental/new age music sales charts.
Additionally, Cusco composed and performed symphonic new age music for the German television special Sielmann 2000.