Brian still kept in contact with Tim Staffell. In the autumn of 1968, the two musicians, despite studying at different colleges (Brian at Imperial, Tim at Ealing College) decided to form another group. Brian posted a note on one of Imperial College's notice boards advertising for a 'Ginger Baker/Mitch Mitchell type drummer'.

Roger Taylor was a student at London Hospital's Dentistry School. His roommate Les Brown noticed Brian's advertisement and informed Roger of the posting. Roger soon replied to the advert. He had previously been involved in a band called 'The Reaction' - based primarily out of Truro.

Brian and Tim met with Roger at his Shepherd's Bush apartment and the chemistry was instant.

They called the group Smile.

Smile spent the Autumn of 1968 rehearsing, learning and perfecting their craft. They played their first true 'gig' in support of Pink Floyd at Imperial College on October 26, 1968.

At the start of 1969, Tim introduced the band to his friend Farookh Bulsara, a fellow student at Ealing College. Farookh, or Freddie, at the time was a member of the group Wreckage. Both bands associated within the same circles and Freddie became a regular at Smile's gigs and remained a keen supporter of the group.