Tony Williams formed Lifetime after leaving the Miles Davis Group in 1969, around the time "In a silent way" was finished. His partners in crime where initially guitarist John McLaughlin (who turned down Davis' offer to join his group since he felt he will be rather able to play his own compositions with Williams) and Hammond-innovator Larry Young, with ex-Cream bass player Jack Bruce joining them in 1970.

Lifetime lasted just two years. McLaughlin left the group in 1970 in order to pursue his own career and after "Ego" the group fell apart completely. The original formation recorded two albums ("Emergency!" and "Turn It Over") + a single called "One Word" - a McLaughlin composition that was also included to huge success in his second Mahavishnu Orchestra album.

Lifetime's sound was on the very cutting edge of fusion, for most listeners at the time far beyond anything that was acceptable. Loads of distortion, psychopathic lyrics and erratic drumming where the trademarks of this remarkable project. Once Lifetime opened a concert for The Who and were almost beaten off the stage by the bewildered crowd.