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Taste was an Irish rock band formed in the 1960s and is most noted for the fact that musician Rory Gallagher was an original member.
Taste (originally "The Taste") was formed in Cork, Ireland in August 1966 as a trio consisting of Rory Gallagher on guitars & vocals, Eric Kitteringham`on bass, and Norman Damery on drums. In their early years Taste toured in Hamburg and Ireland before becoming regulars at Maritime Hotel, an R&B club in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
In 1968 Taste began performing in the UK where the original lineup split up. The new lineup formed with Richard McCracken on bass and John Wilson on drums. The new Taste moved permanently to London where they signed with the record label Polydor. While with Polydor, Taste began touring the United States and Canada with the British supergroup Blind Faith. In 1969 Taste released their first two studio recordings, the self-titled "Taste" first and "On The Boards" soon following, the latter showing Rory and the band's jazz influences with Gallagher playing saxophone on numerous tracks. In November, the band, along with Yes, opened for Cream at Cream's farewell concerts.
Perhaps their most notable performance came in 1970 as part of the Isle of Wight Festival, joining such notable musicians as Jimi Hendrix and The Who. They were well-received by those in attendance, ultimately being called back for five encores. Later the same year Taste would once more tour Europe before performing their last show on New Year's Eve in Belfast. In 1970 Taste split leaving frontman Rory Gallagher to pursue his solo career.
Some years after the band's untimely split, earlier recordings featuring the original lineup emerged. These are rough and ready runthroughs, some of which would have had appeared on the first Taste album. Fascinating for fans, not least because of the quality of Gallagher's guitar playing is not evident. Whereas his fretwork would appear on the later version, the solo slots here are filled by his harmonica playing.
In the August 2006 issue of Blues in Britain it was revealed that John Wilson has made Taste active once again. Bass player Richard McCracken will join Wilson when available and they will be joined by new members Nicky Scott on bass and Sam Davidson on guitars.
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Discography:
* Taste - Polydor, 1969
* On The Boards - Polydor, 1970
* Live Taste - Polydor, 1971
* Live at the Isle of Wight - Polydor, 1972
* In the Beginning, an early Taste of Rory Gallagher - Emerald, 1974
* Take It Easy Baby - 1974 (demo sessions)
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