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Scottish beat groups of the '60s and early '70s.
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Nickelson/David Nicholson
Work on this page commenced in September 2019. We still require more information to fill gaps and some
and corroboration of some other points below. So if you can
add anything - do contact us. Anyway, here it is so far.
On our Poets page we've detailed how David 'Davie'
Nicholson joined The Poets from 'The Mob' to replace
Ian McMillan on bass and vocals. This would be
1970.
According to the excellent http://www.scotbands.moonfruit.com the Mob appear to have been a three piece
with David (keys/bass), Nod
(Norrie/Norman) Kerr (drums) and Tommy Craig (Bass/vocals)
Confirmation required.
David then parted from The Poets in 1971 and formed his
own group called 'Nickelson'.
We presume the spelling change was to infer that this was more of a
group 'venture' than a solo artist with a backing band.
As
mentioned on the Poets page, Nickelson were playing live by at least
21st May 1971 when they played a double header in Nairn and Cullen.
For the possibly later stages of Nickelson - now perhaps called 'Nicholson' we are indebted to the excellent
Dumfermline Kinema Ballroom website
which as well as listing their '71 & '72 bookings, records them playing there on:
Saturday - 03/03/1973 - Nicholson; Friday 23/03/1973 - Nicholson
Below: some screen grabs of Nickleson from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiEiIiXIntQ.
Kim, Alan, David, Alan & Eddie
Hugh McKenna, Eddie, Nod & David.
Nod, Eddie, David & Hugh
Other members during the lifetime of the group included:
Kim Beacon (vocals); Alan Campbell (guitar); Nod Kerr (Drums); Hugh
McKenna (keys & vocals); Alan Wilson (Drums) & Eddie (guitar & vocals).
the later careers of Kim Beacon and Hugh McKenna are well documented.
Nod Kerr was previously with the Mob and Salvation and later, Jamie Barnes' Cochise among others.
Contrary to some references, Hugh Nicholson
was never a member of the live band - confirmed by brother Matt on 9/8/19.
Hugh did however produce and play on the Nickelson single released on 21/07/72 - see below.
Above: Promo copy of the '72 single by Nickelson
The spelling of the band name seems to be designed to differentiate between the band and the main man.
Brother Hugh wrote the A side (Catrine Music) and we presume David wrote the B side (Luddington House Music)
The general release copy of the first single.
1974's self produced solo single
The 1975 solo single. From the
publishing company name, David wrote the B side.
and also on their subsequent LPs and singles
- as well as continuing to release material under his own name.
The 1976 solo single
We see that the A side
is a joint composition and that
David has a new publishing company for his B side composition.
Picture sleeve front of the 1976 solo single. - also used for his compilation CD
Tracks: 1. I've been a Bad Bad Boy - '75 single A side. 2.
Without You - from 'Fool's Party'
3. Sitting on a Fence - 'Nickelson' '72 single A side. 4.
Another you - '76 single B side. 5. Get up Get out - '74 single A
side.
6. Getting a little Lonely - '76 single A side. 7. I Wanna go to New York - from The LA Sessions.
8. Only one I Love - '74 single B side.
9. I'm Alone - from 'Another Night Time Flight'. 10. Long Enough - from Fool's Party'.