Formed in New York City in 1977, Ram Jam consisted of Bill Bartlett (guitar), Howie Arthur Blauvelt (bass), Pete Charles (drums), and Myke Scavone (lead vocals). Their debut album Ram Jam was also released in 1977. The first track on the album, the single "Black Betty", is Ram Jam's best known song.

Other highlights of the album are "Keep Your Hands on the Wheel", a stomping, driving-themed rocker in the vein of Bachman-Turner Overdrive, and "Overloaded", a swinging rocker built on a taut bassline and a catchy, cowbell-driven chorus.

The album also features "Too Bad on Your Birthday," a mid-tempo rocker with a sing-along chorus that was later revived by Joan Jett.