Rare Essence was started in 1976 after childhood friends Quentin "Footz" Davidson, Andre "Whiteboy" Johnson, Michael "Funky Ned" Neal, and John Jones decided to form a band.
[6][7][8] Eventually, the band recruited more players and conformed to the go-go style and sound, which gained recognition in the mid-70s.
Once the direction of the band was settled, Rare Essence along with Chuck Brown, Trouble Funk and Experience Unlimited formed the basis for the emerging go-go scene.
Anthony Harley "Lil Benny" was on the way home from his weekly trumpet lesson when he heard the sound of a band coming from a nearby apartment building.
After a brief audition, in which he performed the introduction to Kool & the Gang's "Hollywood Swinging", he was asked to join on the spot.
Today, the band consists of twelve musicians who play a variety of instruments, from the timbales to the bass guitar.
In 2012, the group collaborated with the Soul Rebels Brass Band during a Tribute to Chuck Brown on June 21, 2012, in Washington, D.C., at the historic Howard Theatre which is re-opened in April 2012.