Under this combined moniker, the group recorded several albums and had a significant international hit single with the song "Arms of Mary" in 1976.

Their father was a civil servant in the local employment office, and played violin and accordion in a dance band called "The Melody Makers"; he was said to have a large collection of jazz records, and was inspired by French violinist Stéphane Grappelli.

[2] The Sutherland Brothers began their career in 1968 as A New Generation, having some success with the single "Smokie Blues Away" (which used a melody based on the second movement of Dvořák's New World Symphony), backed with "She's a Soldier Boy" on Spark.

Quiver was originally formed by guitarist Tim Renwick and bassist John 'Honk' Lodge (both formerly with Junior's Eyes and David Bowie), but soon comprised Tim Renwick, guitarist and singer Cal Batchelor, bassist Bruce Thomas and drummer Willie Wilson.

[3] Bruce Thomas, who had repeatedly been clashing with Iain Sutherland, then was asked to leave the group during a tour of Europe in March 1974.

[3] As the band was switching labels, a cover of one of the earlier Sutherland Brothers recordings, "Sailing", became a major UK hit for Rod Stewart.

The September 1975 album release Reach for the Sky marked the debut of the Sutherland Brothers and Quiver on CBS Records.

The Sutherland Brothers and Quiver achieved one further UK chart success, "Secrets", in November 1976, from their next album Slipstream.

The Sutherland Brothers and Quiver recorded one final album in 1977, Down To Earth with a wide array of guest musicians helping out, including Renwick, Andy Pyle from the Kinks, Rick Wills of the Small Faces, Brian Bennett from the Shadows and ex-Moon drummer John Shearer on percussion.