The Controllers were founded in Fairfield, Alabama, in 1965. Originally known as the Epics, the vocal group initially performed gospel music. As high schoolers they met with Ramsey Lewis Trio bassist Cleveland Eaton, who wrote their first single, Right On, Brother—Right On, which they recorded and released as the Soul Controllers. The song became a regional hit, and following high school the four core members—brothers Larry and Reginald McArthur, LeNard Brown and Ricky Lewis—shortened their name to the Controllers.

In 1976 Frederick Knight signed the Controllers to his Juana label, and they recorded their debut album, In Control, at Malaco Studios in Jackson. Released in 1977, the record scored a hit with the eight-minute ballad Somebody’s Gotta Win, Somebody’s Gotta Lose, which rose to No. 8 on Billboard’s R&B chart and No. 3 on Cash Box’s soul chart. Another ballad, Heaven Is Only One Step Away, charted on Billboard R&B at No. 37. Knight produced two more albums for the Controllers on Juana, Fill Your Life With Love in 1978 and Next in Line in 1979.