The Quireboys formed in London around 1984. The rock group started life as the Queerboys, changing the spelling after gaining some local popularity. The foundation for the band came from two friends, singer Spike Gray and guitarist Guy Bailey. Since those early days there has been a number of deaths and then rebirths for the group. Some of the members that stepped in-and-out along the way include drummers Ian Wallace, Guy Hansen, Martin Henderson, Paul Hornby, and Rudy Richman; guitarists Darrel Bath, Ginger, Luke Bossendorfer, and Guy Griffin; bassists Nigel Mogg and Tim Bewlay; and keyboardists Chris Johnstone and Simon Rinaldo.
In 1987, the Quireboys recorded its debut single, "Mayfair," released under the Survival Records label. Three years later the group's first album, A Bit of What You Fancy, appeared on EMI. Four of the tracks from that full-length debut found their way onto the charts, carrying the Quireboys from hushed fame to the public spotlight.