Evolving from the former group the Rainbows, the Marquees included Marvin Gaye and backed musicians such as Bo Diddley and Billy Stewart.

[3][4] The group performed in the D.C. area and soon were introduced to Bo Diddley, who began working with the Marquees in his home recording studio.

Re-recorded versions of "Wyatt Earp" and "Hey Little School Girl" and Stewart's sides were released in November 1957; however, Okeh completely ignored the records and they quickly fell out of public notice.

By mid-1959, the group was scheduled to appear on Dick Clark's television program American Bandstand; however, Fuqua was contractually obligated to perform with his former line-up.

Gay relocated to Detroit with Fuqua where he signed with Tri-Phi Records as a session musician, before achieving tremendous success as a solo artist.