Born in Cwm, near Ebbw Vale, Monmouthshire, Wales, Spinetti began his recording career with the band Scrugg, which recorded on the Pye label. Band members included fellow Welshman Jack Russell, Chris Dee and the South African singer-songwriter, John Kongos. In the early 1970s, Spinetti appeared with Kongos on BBC Television's "Top of the Pops" performing Kongos' chart hit single, "He's Gonna Step on You Again". After leaving Scrugg, Spinetti's early work included spells with The Herd and Judas Jump, who were the opening act at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970. The line-up of The Herd and Judas Jump included Andy Bown, who later joined Status Quo. He was a member of the UK band Hustler which released two albums - "High Street" (1974) and "Play Loud" (1975), the latter of which was produced by Roy Thomas Baker.