Formed in the UK in 1979 but heavily influenced by American pomp rock bands such as Journey and Styx, Canis Major comprised Jacqui Bodimead (vocals), Tony Bodimead (guitar), Mick Groves (guitar), John Pepe (keyboards), Simon Cooper (bass) and Gary Wise (drums). The group released their debut album for JEM Records in 1980. Butterfly Queen combined strong songwriting from the Bodimead brother-sister team with fluent musicianship. However, poor promotion and distribution prevented it from making the impact that it deserved. Bodimead subsequently found commercial success as a member of Girlschool.