In the late 1960s, Jacobs was at a party dismayed at the rock music he was listening to and began reminiscing about 1950s rock and roll. He eventually inquired about writing a rock and roll musical with Casey, who (unlike Jacobs) had not been a greaser in high school but shared a love of the music of the era, particularly doo-wop.
During the late 1960s, Jacobs was at a gathering disenchanted by the contemporary rock music and began reflecting on the rock and roll of the 1950s. He eventually asked Casey about composing a rock and roll musical, as Casey shared his passion for the era's music, especially doo-wop.