In 1964 in Tampa, Florida, the band, The Tropics, emerged by Buddy Pendergrass along with Wayne Guida, Ronnie Ferer, and Spencer Hinkle.

The group's founder, Buddy Pendergrass put together a seven-piece horn band in 1964 with Wayne Guida on trumpet, Ronnie Ferrer on tenor sax and Spencer Hinkle on drums, playing at all the local Tampa area recreation venues.

Beginning in the summer of 1965, the Tropics toured the state of Florida and the Southeastern United States as a five-piece combo, opening shows for The Who in Miami, The Young Rascals in Tampa and Herman's Hermits in Jacksonville, and at the Diplomat Hotel in Miami, opening the show for Heinz Heinz & Dad for a Columbia Records Showcase.

Competing against performers such as Chicago and Tommy James and the Shondells, The Tropics took first place over more than 1000 bands.

The Tropics became one of the most popular Pop Rock-Showbands in the Southeastern United States between 1965 and 1969 with band members Buddy Pendergrass, Mel Dryer, Charlie Souza, Bobby Shea and Eric Turner.