In 1973 brothers Damian, Terry and Colin McKee, formed a band called Young City Stars with a friend, Ian Mitchell. They played local clubs and dance halls and quickly became popular, often opening concerts for the Bay City Rollers. Young City Stars added guitarist Andy LeGear from Belfast. Bay City Rollers manager Tam Paton, noticed their talents and became their manager. They changed the name to Rosetta Stone in 1977 and signed on with Private Stock Records later that year.

The first album, "Rosetta Stone" was released in the United States in May 1978. "Rock Pictures", the Japanese and UK release of that same album was also released in 1978. A second album, "Caught in the Act" was released in 1979. In early 1979 Ian Mitchell left and was replaced by Paul Lerwill. Paul left in the early '80s and was replaced by Enda Walsh.

 (thanks to Damian McKee).