The Misfits were formed in 1977 in Lodi, New Jersey, by Glenn Danzig, who had previous experience performing in local bands and named his new group after actress Marilyn Monroe's final film, "The Misfits" (1961). Danzig's first recruit was drummer Manny Martínez, who later saw a bass guitar in the back of Jerry Caiafa's car parked at his neighbor's house. Caiafa had recently received the bass as a Christmas gift, and when Martinez invited him to join the band, Caiafa accepted despite having only practiced his instrument for two months. Caiafa and Danzig would remain the only consistent members of the Misfits until the group's dissolution in 1983.