The Outsiders (Sonny Geraci, Tom King, Mert Madsen were the core members) first recorded "Bend Me, Shape Me" (Scott English, Larry Weiss). It's on the Cleveland groups "The Outsiders In" album from 1966.

A year later The American Breed (vocalist Gary Loizzo with Charles Colbert, Lee Graziano and Al Ciner) released "Bend Me, Shape Me" and in 1968 hit the top ten with their speeded-up single. Following a number of name changes and various band members the group became "Rufus featuring Chaka Khan".