[5] The band were renowned as an exciting, if erratic, live act in a Stones–Animals mould and quickly rose to prominence in the local club and dance scene.

[2] The group's visual impact was heightened by their striking mod stage attire, and the band had a strong focal point thanks to the charismatic stage presence, saturnine good looks and growling, blues-influenced baritone voice of Humphrys, who is widely acknowledged as one of Australia's finest male pop-rock vocalists.

[citation needed] The Loved Ones were one of the first Australian rock bands to use electric piano as part of their regular stage setup, and their distinctive keyboard-based sound set them apart from most of their contemporaries.

They shot to national prominence, scoring a major Australian hit with "The Loved One", which reached No.

Magic Box is considered a classic recording and to this day in Australia it enjoys cult status and has reportedly never been out-of-print since it was released.