Formed in 1971, it originally consisted of Jerry Calà, Umberto Smaila, Nini Salerno, Gianandrea Gazzola and Spray Mallory.
The group, consisting of some schoolmates, formed in Verona in 1971 as a split from the 24 members ensamble "Studio 24",[1] and the same year they started successfully performing at the Derby Club in Milan, in some satirical and musical shows directed by mime and Dario Fo's frequent collaborator Arturo Corso.
[2][3] A major boost to their success came from their participation in 1977–8 in the Rai 1 show Non Stop, which launched the career of numerous comedians, notably Massimo Troisi, Carlo Verdone and Francesco Nuti.
[5] They then starred in two comedy films directed by Carlo Vanzina, the semi-autobiographical Arrivano i gatti and Una vacanza bestiale, both released in 1980.
[1][3] Following the commercial success of his solo performance in I fichissimi, in 1981 Calà left the group, and became one of the leading stars of the Italian film scene at the time.