Perry, Schon, Rolie, Smith, and Valory entered Cherokee Studios in

Perry, Schon, Rolie, Smith, and Valory entered Cherokee Studios in late 1978 to record their fifth studio album, Evolution , which was released in March 1979, peaking at number 20 on the Billboard 200. The album, which was a milestone for the band, gave the band their first Billboard Hot 100 Top-20 single, ” Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’ “, peaking at number 16, which gave the band significant airplay. Following the tour in support of Evolution , the band expanded its operation to include a lighting and trucking operation for their future performances, as the tour had grossed more than $5 million, making the band as popular as it had ever been in five years. The band later entered Automatt Studios to record their sixth studio album, Departure , which was released in March 1980, peaking at number eight on the Billboard 200. The first single from the album, ” Any Way You Want It “, peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1980.