The name XYZ is taken from "eX-Yes-Zeppelin" as the group consisted of ex-Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, along with ex-Yes members Chris Squire (bass guitar, vocals, keyboards) and Alan White (drums).
Plant attended a rehearsal on 28 February 1981, but decided not to join the group, citing his dislike for the complexity of the music,[3] and because he was still deeply hurt by the recent death of Led Zeppelin's drummer and his long-time friend, John Bonham.
Without a firm commitment from Plant and contractual issues on who should manage the group (Peter Grant or Brian Lane),[4][5] the band's future was in limbo.
Squire and White recorded a Christmas single, "Run with the Fox", in October 1981[6] before forming Cinema with guitarist Trevor Rabin and keyboardist Tony Kaye.
A four-song demo tape of XYZ consisting of two instrumentals and two songs, "Can You See" and "Telephone Secrets" (featuring vocals from Squire), exists and can be found on ROIO trading sites.