Autograph was formed in 1983 originally as a solo project for singer-songwriter/guitarist Steve Plunkett (also known as "Plunk"), who had recently left the band Silver Condor, due to his frustration with their lack of interest in recording his songs. Plunkett then began playing and recording his own material with a group of his musician friends, most of whom had previously played with him in other bands.
Over time, this group of musicians recording together took the form of an actual band. Plunkett chose the name "Autograph" for the band, having been inspired by hearing Def Leppard's similarly-titled song, "Photograph," on the radio. They recorded their first demos in late 1983, but gave copies of the demo to a few friends only. One of these friends, Andy Johns, a record producer, played their demo for David Lee Roth of Van Halen, who subsequently invited the band to open for them in their 1984 tour.
The band rose to prominence as an opening act for Van Halen on their 1984 tour, an act of distinction for an unsigned band. Autograph signed a contract with RCA Records following a performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1984.
Though the band had disbanded in 1989, a few of their music videos from all three albums, most commonly "Turn Up the Radio" from their debut, continued to be played on channels and programs such as MTV and Headbangers Ball for a few years afterward.