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The band, originally called The Scratch Band, was formed in the late 1970s in Sacramento, California by Roe, and keyboardist Mark Tootle , bassist Jan Eric Volz and drummer Mark Proctor . Guitarist Jimmy A and singer Sharon McCall also performed with the band from time to time.
The band changed their name to the 77s with the release of their first album, Ping Pong over the Abyss, in 1982. Ping Pong was more of a Scratch Band recording than an actual 77s recording however. One song from that album, "Renaissance Man", was later recorded by The Ocean Blue . Proctor left the band and was replaced by former drummer for The Temptations, Aaron Smith. The band's biggest hit single was "The Lust, The Flesh, The Eyes and the Pride of Life" from their 1987 Island Records release, The 77s. (Years later, the band 311 would even borrow a few lines from the song for one of their own singles). Tootle left the band after the live album 88, and the group split up after 1990's Sticks and Stones.
The band's song "MT" was featured a number of times on the popular television series Melrose PlaceMelrose Place is a TV series that ran between 1992 and 1999, created by Aaron Spelling and Darren Star. A spinoff from Beverly Hills 90210 (though not featuring any permanent cast members crossing over), Melrose Place is an apartment block in the West Hol.
In the early 1990sCenturies: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s 2030s 2040s Years: Events and trends Computers, technology Explosive growth of the Internet; decrease in the cost of computers and other techn, Roe reformed the band with Smith, adding bassist Mark Harmon and guitarist David Leonhardt , both formerly of The StrawmenThe Strawmen are an independent band from Sacramento, California, featuring guitarist David Leonhardt, bassist Mark Harmon and Bill Harmon. The Strawment recorded an independent self titled album, and went on to be "absorbed" by The 77s. Sevens lead singe. This version of the band released its first album in 19921992 is a leap year starting on Wednesday. Events January January The Internet Society is formed. January 1 Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt replaces Javier Perez de Cuellar of Peru as United Nations Secretary-General January 1 George H. Bush becomes the fi entitled Pray Naked, although the title was dropped from the release by the record label. Leonhardt and Smith would leave the band a few years later. Drummer Bruce Spencer , formerly of VectorVector is a new wave rock band formed in Sacramento in the early 1980's by Jimmy Abegg, Steve Griffith and Charlie Peacock. The band had several drummers over the years, including Aaron Smith and Bruce Spencer, both also played drums for The 77s. Discogra was brought on board to fill Smith's vacancy.
By the end of the 1990sCenturies: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s 2030s 2040s Years: Events and trends Computers, technology Explosive growth of the Internet; decrease in the cost of computers and other techn, the 77s formed their own record labelA record label is a brand created by companies that specialize in manufacturing, distributing and promoting audio and video recordings, on various formats including compact discs, LPs, DVD-Audio, SACDs, and cassettes. The name derives from the paper label, Fools of the World and reissued many of their older albums. As of 2002 the 77s continue to record and tour heavily.