Nottingham Mod Soul Group 1966
Seven piece Nottingham soul group formed in August 1966. It was effectively a name change from “The Dickens Set”. With a couple of line up changes they became Robert Hirst and the Big Taste in December 1966 / January 1967.
Line up:
Robert “Spence” Hirst: Vocals
Dave Maslen: Bass
Simon Stokes: Drums
Alan Mottershaw: Guitar
Alan Upton: Organ
John Imerson: Tenor Sax
Irv Mills (Irv Pension maybe): Sax
As The Dickens Set they were prominent players at the Nottingham clubs like the Beachcomber and the Brit. After taking on their new name they hit the ground running supporting The Who at the Sherwood Rooms in August 1966 followed by a gig with Chris Farlowe. They played nationwide at such famed clubs as Blaise’s, the Cromwellian, the Marquee and Eel Pie Island in London and the Newcastle Club A Go-Go in Newcastle. For the Roy Tempest Organisation, one of the largest band agency’s at the time, they got a 14 day tour with American singer Ben E. King.
1967
