Taste Mk 1 (1966-1968)

May 8th, 2013

Yesterday, while walking by Crowelys Music Store, on MacCurtain St., in
Cork, I was saddened to learn that Eric Kitteringham had passed away,
earlier that morning.

As the original bassist for Taste and formally with Cork group the
Axils, Eric was someone I had both admiration for as a person and as a
musician.

His early band the Axils would perform at many venues throughout the
City, Rory and I would enjoy catching them play and a strong friendship
between Eric ( plus others in the group) and Rory ensued. Inevitably,
Eric, Rory and Norman banded together as Taste, following the split of
the Axils.

Cork's Cavern Club where I worked, would become a base for the group. In
the Summer of '67, the group's appeal in Belfast increased they located
there, where I joined them some months later.

So, a 'home-coming' gig had to be staged back in Cork, Eric and I as the
pillion passenger, on his Honda 125, motorcycle, drove the 260 miles
overnight to set the gig up at Cork's City Hall.

In later life, Eric was stricken with a stroke, this prevented him
continuing as a bass player and ultimately he suffered from cancer.

My sincere condolences to his family.

May Eric rest in peace.

Dónal

“Eric was a fine bass player but more than that he was a very gentle man. He was always encouraging a lot of young musicians along the way and that’s the sign of a fine musician.”