Formed in 1970, this superior British jazz rock act comprised Robert Palmer (b. Alan Palmer, 19 January 1949, Batley, Yorkshire, England, d. 26 September 2003, Paris, France; vocals), Elkie Brooks (b. Elaine Bookbinder, 25 February 1946, Salford, Manchester, England; vocals), Jimmy Chambers (vocals), Paul Korda (vocals), Pete Gage (guitar/bass), Don Shinn (keyboards), Ernie Lauchlan (horns), Malcolm Cambell (woodwind), Barry Duggan (woodwind), and Martin Harryman (drums). Palmer was previously a member of the Alan Bown Set, Brooks had enjoyed a solo recording career since 1964 and Gage was formerly of Geno Washington's Ram Jam Band. Dada became a popular act on the UK university circuit but the unit proved too constricting for the members' individual musical ambitions. They split up in 1971 when Palmer, Brooks and Gage left to form Vinegar Joe.