Gino Vannelli learned to play the drums early in life and studied music theory at McGill University. He formed an R&B band with two brothers, but later began recording solo material for RCA in 1970. He became popular four years later when A&M released his hit single "People Gotta Move," from the Powerful People album (re-titled People Gotta Move).

Many albums followed, including Storm at Sunup (1975), Gist of Gemini (1976), A Pauper in Paradise (1977), Brother to Brother (1978), Nightwalker (1981), Black Cars (1985), Big Dreamers Never Sleep (1987), Inconsolable Man (1990) and Live in Montreal (1992). After a lengthy absence from the studio, Vannelli returned in 1995 with Yonder Tree; Slow Love followed three years later.