In 1964, Hurst formed a band called the Methods, featuring Jimmy Page and then Albert Lee on guitar as well as Tony Ashton on keyboards.
In 1965, after a brief collaboration with Bolan, he discovered singer-songwriter Cat Stevens, and signed him to the new Deram record label (an imprint of Decca) and produced his first five hit singles including "Matthew and Son" and "I'm Gonna Get Me a Gun".
[2] In 1973, he formed his own production company, Solid Gold, and wrote and produced for the band Fancy, achieving US chart success with the singles "Touch Me" and a cover of The Troggs "Wild Thing".
Following his success with Showaddywaddy, he produced Modern Priscilla (1978), a disco album for Cilla Black, and early recordings by Bruce Woolley and the Camera Club.
In 1981, he formed a vocal group with Mary Hopkin and Mike de Albuquerque called Sundance and toured with Dr Hook appearing on the Parkinson and Russell Harty television shows.
Hurst and wife Marjorie have seven children between them – Tim (died 2024), Alexis, Caroline, Muffin, Bryony, Jonas, and Adam – and 17 grandchildren.