Robert Forster and Grant McLennan met at the University of Queensland where both were taking a theatre arts course. Forster on vocals, song writing, and guitar, and McLennan on vocals, song writing, and bass guitar formed The Go-Betweens in December 1977 in Brisbane, Queensland. The name of the band reflects L.P. Hartley's classic novel "The Go-Between". The band made its first public appearance as the support for The Numbers at Baroona Hall in Brisbane in early April 1978. The band however were still minus a drummer, having borrowed Gerard Lee for their first show. They had a succession of drummers starting with Bruce Anthon (ex-The Survivors). With a guest drummer, Dennis Cantwell (The Riptides), they recorded their debut single, "Lee Remick", in May 1978. The song, an ode to the US actress Lee Remick, was released on the independent Able label in September 1978. The B-side to the single, "Karen", was a love song to a librarian. The sleeve depicts Forster and McLennan alongside portraits of Bob Dylan, Che Guevara and Lee Remick. The band sent copies to record labels around the world, with interest shown by the UK arm of America's Beserkley Records. The group's first real drummer was Temucin "Tim" Mustafa, recruited after the recording of "Lee Remick", although he appears on the picture sleeve of the single. The band further expanded with the addition of guitarist Peter Milton Walsh. Beserkley offered the band a contract that proposed the re-issue of "Lee Remick" and "Karen" as two singles, followed by an eight-album deal. The band recorded two more songs for Beserkley in November 1978 (including "The Sound of Rain"); however, when Beserkley went bust weeks later Walsh left to form The Apartments.