Former JETHRO TULL bassist Glenn Cornick formed Wild Turkey after departing Tull in 1971. The initial line-up of the band featured Glenn Cornick (bass), Graham Williams (guitar), Alan "Tweke” Lewis (guitar), John "Pugwash” Weathers (drums) and Gary Pickford-Hopkins (vocals). Before recording their first album, Weathers and Williams departed the fold to be replaced by Jon Blackmore (guitar & vocals) and Jeff Jones (drums). The album "Battle Hymn” was released by Chrysalis Records in 1971 and was well received by fans and critics alike. By the time of the band’s second album for Chrysalis Records, the line-up had changed again with Mick Dyche replacing Jon Blackmore on guitar and Steve Gurl joining on keyboards.