The group performed at the 1960 Democratic National Convention, and began singing backup for Major Lance, including on his record "Monkey Time".

[5][6][7] They had their first local hit with "Get My Hands On Some Lovin'", co-written and first recorded by Marvin Gaye, and followed it up with the more successful "This Heart of Mine", written by Barrett Strong.

[8] The group released an LP, Get My Hands on Some Lovin' (1966), with several tracks written by Strong,[9] but their next two singles for OKeh were unsuccessful, and they moved to Brunswick Records where Carl Davis had become A&R Director.

Their first record on the label was "I'm Gonna Miss You", written by Smith, Bolian and Johnson of the group and produced by Davis, which rose to no.

[8] Marvin Smith left the group for a solo career before the record made the charts, and was replaced by Tommy Green.