The Zimmermen were formed in Melbourne in June 1983 by Tim Brosnan on guitar (ex-Millionaires, True Wheels, Romantics, Paul Kelly and the Dots), John Dowler on lead vocals (ex-Spare Change, Young Modern, Glory Boys, Talk Show), Mick Holmes on guitar and backing vocals (ex-Negatives, Eric Gradman: Man & Machine, Romantics, Paul Kelly and the Dots, Fatal Attraction), Peter "Pedro" Steele on bass guitar (ex-Fatal Attraction), and Trevor Upton on drums (ex-Lipservice, Fatal Attraction).
[1] Brosnan left the group in the following month and was replaced on guitar by Steve Connolly (ex-Cuban Heels, Rare Things).
[1][2] Dowler was the group's main songwriter and "had written a batch of first-rate pop songs, and he began making plans" to record an album.
"[1] Their debut album, Rivers of Corn (February 1987), was produced by Harry Williamson and the group, which was released via Au Go Go Records.
[1] McFarlane observed that the album, "was a more balanced effort than the debut, displaying a depth, freshness and sense of humour that made for excellent listening.