The Vibrants, an Adelaide-based band, began their journey as the backing group for singer Bobby James. The original lineup featured Geoff Skewes on organ, Terry Osmond and Terry Radford on guitars, Brenton Hay on saxophone, Jeff Gurr on bass, and Rick Kent on drums. In 1965, they released a single under EMI's Columbia label titled "Jezabel" / "Tossin' and Turnin'." Following this, Bobby James departed to establish the Bobby James Syndicate. Ian McFarlane's article on the band also mentions another collaboration titled "I've Learned," as well as a May 1965 single, "Furry Legs" / "Maybe Tomorrow," which they shared with Roger Dee and released on the W&G label.

In April 1966, Skewes reassembled the group with a new lineup that included Rick Kent (drums), John (Rupert) Perry (vocals), Mike Wade (guitar), Bill Pfeifer (bass), and John Hossin (saxophone). All members had previous experience in other bands, and Perry had performed as a solo artist under the name Johnny Perry. They gained popularity in Adelaide, frequently supporting local and visiting artists such as Bev Harrell and Johnny O'Keefe.

The band relocated to Melbourne in July 1966 and signed with EMI's Columbia label, at which point Mick Hamilton, formerly of The Moods, replaced Mike Wade on guitar. Their debut single for the label, "I've Got To Go" (September 1966), did not achieve chart success; however, their next release, a dynamic cover of the Four Tops' "Something About You, Baby" (January 1967), became a local hit in Melbourne, reaching #17. This track has since gained recognition as their signature song, appearing on various compilations of Australian Sixties pop. Following this success, they released "My Prayer" / "Don't Let Your Left Hand Know" in September, which became a major double-sided hit in Melbourne, peaking at #5, although it did not chart elsewhere.

In February 1968, John Perry left to form the John Rupert Group, which produced one single, "Put a Bar in My Car" / "Tightrope" (August 1968). He was succeeded by Marc Leon (formerly of Impulse). Shortly thereafter, Bill Pfeiffer departed, and Barry Rogers took over on bass. The band's subsequent single, a cover of The Bee Gees' "Terrible Way to Treat Your Baby," was released in March 1968 but only achieved moderate sales in Adelaide and Melbourne without making the charts.

A significant lineup change occurred in October, when Marc, John, and Barry left to create a new band called Graduate. Mick, Geoff, and Rick reformed The Vibrants with Penny Parsons (vocals) and Bob Flynn (bass). This new iteration adopted a more sophisticated, club-oriented image for the remainder of the Sixties. They released two singles on the Air label, including "I Can't Let Go Of Your Love," their most successful track, which reached #55 in 1970 and remained on the charts for thirteen weeks, alongside "Give Me Just A Little More Time." In 1971, Ken Leroy (ex-John Rupert Group) replaced Flynn on bass, and Trevor Courtney (ex-Chants R&B, Cam-Pact) took over on drums from the long-serving Rick Kent. This final version of The Vibrants disbanded at the end of 1971.