They first began working together in the band Bodast in 1968 which also featured Steve Howe (Yes, Asia, GTR) on guitar and Bobby Woodman Clarke on drums.
They recorded one album produced by Keith West whom Howe had worked with in UK psychedelic band Tomorrow (known for their hit "My White Bicycle"), but it remained unreleased until it came out in truncated and remixed form in 1982 as The Lost Bodast Tapes.
Although not very active on the live circuit as they preferred to spend their time writing and rehearsing, Bodast played a show called the Pop Prom in 1968 where they were on the bill with The Who and acted as Chuck Berry's back-up band for the night.
Their first LP featured Steve Howe on lead guitar, Tony Ashton, and musicians from Mighty Baby, including Roger Powell.
After this album, Clive Maldoon continued trying to establish himself in the music world, but ran into a series of managerial and contract problems.