The first release in this series was a single LP titled Join Together - Rarities issued by Polydor in Australia and New Zealand in 1982.

This album contained Who songs from UK singles released between 1970 and 1973 that had not previously appeared on LP.

It included a version of the B-side "I Don't Even Know Myself" that fades out about 30 seconds early, while eliminating the full ending heard on the single.

In 1983, after the announcement of the Who's Last Tour, Polydor UK expanded on the original concept by compiling two albums of hard to find Who tracks.

The Volume 2 release contains the same content as the earlier Join Together - Rarities album.