Frustrated by the band's lack of ambition and conservative repertoire, and influenced by more modern jazz ensembles like Weather Report and Return to Forever, they decided to form their own group.
The original line-up was drummer Ronnie Pearson (also of the Phoenix Jazzmen), guitarist John Hedley[3] (later replaced by Terry Ellis), Richardson and Sting.
[4] In 1976, Carol Wilson, Head of Richard Branson's music publishing company, saw Last Exit play in the Gosforth Hotel in Newcastle and signed them.
Wilson organised a number of gigs, including Dingwalls, and a double page feature in Sounds and played the demo to every major record label.
Richardson worked with Billy Ocean's band as musical director, while Sting joined Stewart Copeland and Henri Padovani and formed The Police.