the siblings who became debarge started performing in various groups together in the detroit, michigan area in the mid 1970s. in 1979, brothers randy, mark, and el were part of the smash band, which was a release on source records/mca in the usa/canada before it was released as pall mall groove hot ice in germany by polydor. bernd lichters, who rented a home in cerritos, ca, bought them instruments, and they were mentored by members of the motown group switch, including their elder brothers tommy and bobby and co-founding member and family friend gregory williams. bunny debarge had joined her younger brothers in 1979 as well, and they formed as the debarges in 1980. that year, because of bobby's success with switch, younger brother el was able to perform live on the piano and sing for motown ceo and founder berry gordy, who was impressed by the group and agreed to sign them that year. for a year the group worked alongside members of switch, helping to add background vocals, instrumentation, arranging, and musical and lyrical composition to the band's works, most prominently in "i call your name", "my friend in the sky", and "love over and over again".