Klymaxx was created and formed in 1979 by Bernadette Cooper (producer/drummer/vocals); the other original members included Lorena Porter Shelby (lead vocals), Cheryl Cooley (guitar), Robbin Grider (keyboards), and Lynn Malsby (keyboards). Joyce "Fenderella" Irby (bass/vocals/producer) joined the band later, before the recording of their debut album. The women developed their core sound in rehearsal, and continued with Cooper becoming the band's figurehead. Their debut album Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman was released in 1981.
