Michelle Aller sang back-up on albums by Dusty Springfield and Cher in the 1970s. She began using the name Mavis Vegas Davis, which she considered her "glitzy alter-ego," during that time, receiving credit for featured vocals on her 1978 Prisoner album for the the song "Holy Smoke!" (which she co-wrote, billed as Aller). She did similar double duty for the 1978 Rollerboogie film soundtrack (as Michelle Aller for songwriting and Mavis Vegas Davis for performance) and appeared in the 1988 film Salsa.