The band began with Paul Lagos on drums, Larry Taylor on bass and Randy Resnick on guitar.

[4] [5][citation needed] The group played small rooms in the Los Angeles area, such as the Troubadour and the Ash Grove, for several months.

While the band was searching for a record deal, Larry Taylor allegedly began to tire of Don's constant lateness and irresponsibility and decided to continue his career with John Mayall.

At the same time, Harvey Mandel, a Charlie Musselwhite, Canned Heat and Mayall alumnus, was brought in to beef up the accompaniment and to stimulate record label interest, as he already had a following from his Chicago blues days.

To replace Taylor on bass, a relative newcomer, Victor Conte, was recruited from Common Ground, a funk band in Fresno that Resnick had played in.