Mick Pealing was born in the 50's in Adelaide, South Australia to an English migrant father and a local girl mother, both music lovers Mick along with three sisters and a brother were brought up on a healthy menu of jazz and the eclectic playlist of 60's commercial radio, which would play everything from Motown to Mersey and all stops in between.

Not actually knowing he could sing, or have a voice that might be pleasing to the ear, Mick decided one afternoon in the early 70's to go to a local concert put on by some local musos, where he reluctantly got up to sing after being pointed out as someone who might know the words to "Alright Now". Although he sang with his back to the audience, Mick sang the song well enough to be asked to join the band. This band contained two members which, in a couple of years, would become "Stars".

A reputation as a singer soon emerged and Mick, after trying his luck with local acts "Flight" and "Nantucket", eventually came together with members of "AstraKhan" which featured Mal Eastick, Glyn Dowding and Andy Durant (who was about to go overseas for some time). Along with Graham Thompson, this became a 4 piece band known as "Flash" which specialised in hard rock covers from "Free" and "Deep Purple", along with some original material.

After a year or so of supporting interstate acts at Hindley Street's "Countdown" among other venues in South Australia, Beeb Birtles saw some potential and recommended the band to Michael Gudinski of Mushroom Records.

A deal was signed with Mushroom and the band by this time known as "Stars" went on to record two singles, "Quick On The Draw"(produced by Beeb) and "With A Winning Hand".