Formed in 1960 as The Jazz Crusaders, the quartet of Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, Wayne Henderson, and Stix Hooper were one of the first straight-ahead jazz groups to cross over into R&B and fusion. The turning point was 1971's hit "Hard Times," a down-home groove that made good use of the Wurlitzer electric piano. This prompted the band to shorten its name, go fully electric, and expand its focus. Guitarist Larry Carlton later joined and the group recorded prolifically before breaking up in 1991; three of the original Crusaders played their final reunion tour in 2010.