Hirao had previously sung in local band The Sphinx, and had recently traveled to the US, as had Ban who returned to Japan with one of the first fuzzboxes in the country.

The new band initially called themselves Group & I, and were influenced by the rock and roll music broadcast on the Far East Network from the local US Army base at Honmoku, and more generally by contacts made with Americans and others in the port city of Yokohama.

[1][2] They began playing sets consisting of covers of American pop and rock hits such as "Hey Joe", "Got My Mojo Workin'" and "I Feel Good".

The band also soon won a regular place on the NHK-TV morning show, Young 720, and a recording deal with the Capitol label owned by Toshiba.

[1][2] In 1969, Eddie Ban left the group to form his own band, and Louis Kabe took over on guitar.