At first, they played folk and blues music, soon influenced by bands such as The Rolling Stones to develop a harder rock sound.
They started playing at parties, schools and small bars, before gaining a manager, Paul Pattengale, and residencies first at DaQuisto's and later at O'Brad's club in Milwaukee.
[2][3] Sahli left the band in 1965 for a career in commercial design, and was replaced by Ray McCall (guitar, keyboard, vocals).
The band increasingly performed their own material, and developed a reputation for outlandish costumes and special effects.
As Shag, they also appeared in July 1969 at the Midwest Rock Festival in Milwaukee, on a bill which also featured Led Zeppelin, Blind Faith, The MC5, Jethro Tull and many others.