Bill's flatmate was Rick Bryant, a fellow student, book collector, budding bohemian and blues fan and leader of a Pretty Things-styled R&B combo, The Original Sin. Bill soon began sitting in with Original Sin on guitar and harmonica while Rick lent his big grainy voice and forceful presence to the Strugglers.

This expanded Strugglers lineup went on to play at the 1968 University Arts Festival held in Auckland, and found further opportunities to develop through gigs at coffee bars and folk festivals. Bill took harmonica, guitar and mandolin leadership, Mike Rashbrooke doubled on guitar and mandolin as well as jug, and Geoff Rashbrooke provided washboard and occasional guitar in addition to piano. Julie Needham joined to bring violin into the mix, and Kris Smith (guitar, tea-chest bass) came along to fill out the sound. By the time of the 1969 University Arts Festival in Dunedin, the energy and blues purism of the Strugglers found them a warm welcome at the main Jazz concert.
 

In late 1970 Geoff departed overseas and Robert Taylor brought his blues guitar skills to the Strugglers. The group remained closely linked to the Victoria campus and often existed in conjunction with other musical ventures, notably the acid-rock band Mammal, of which Rick, Bill, Julie and Robert were all members. A series of Strugglers lineups was to follow.

But with Mammal's growing profile, Strugglers appearances became increasingly rare. By 1973 Bill had left Mammal but Rick stayed until they split up in 1975, after which he had spells fronting Blerta and Rough Justice, eventually moving to Auckland where he played with Top Scientists, Neighbours and the Jive Bombers. He would rarely sing with the Strugglers again until the mid-80s.