[1] The best known former member of the Birds is Ronnie Wood playing lead guitar, who went on to join the Jeff Beck Group, the Creation, Faces and later the Rolling Stones.

[2] When they were hired to play on the same bill as Chris Farlowe, whose back-up band was also called the Thunderbirds, they shortened their name to the Birds – a decision which would have significant ramifications later.

[2] When the band made their first television appearance, they caught the eye of Decca record company executives.

The Birds seemed destined for stardom with their loud rhythm-and-blues based music, receiving equal billing with the Who at some concerts.

[2] However, in the spring of 1965, the Los Angeles–based band the Byrds was dominating the UK Singles Chart with their folk-rock version of Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man", released by the newly formed British CBS Records.