The Liverpool-born musician's career began with Liverpool outfit The Big Three, formed from the ashes of previous bands and thought to be one of the UK's first-ever rock'n'roll trios. They're reputed to have been the only band the Beatles regarded as genuine "competition" and were signed to Brian Epstein's NEMS firm on John Lennon's recommendation. They're remembered for their single Some Other Guy, a demo recorded for Decca in 1963.

Gustafson then spent some time with the Merseybeats before fronting Quatermass, who released their acclaimed self-titled album in 1970, re-released last year. Later he played with Deep Purple's Roger Glover in his Butterfly Ball project, and spent three years with Roxy Music from 1973.