Welcome

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The Nice were formed in 1967 and were Keith Emerson’s first band as a creative leader. Along with guitarist Davy O’List, bassist Lee Jackson and drummer Brian “Blinky” Davison they released a series of superb albums before splitting in 1970 when Emerson left to form ELP.

Despite the huge success of ELP, a number of us feel that the Nice were a more honest band, where music came before spectacle. This site is an attempt to gather together the various strands of The Nice’s history.

There’s also a facebook group devoted to the band, with lots of discussions..

Memories

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Alan Whiting writes:

I saw The Nice twice.Once in Nottingham in December 1968 at  the Newton Building (part of the Polytechnic), then the following year at Leicester De Montfort Hall. The former concert was absolutely BRILLIANT. Was close to the stage and was in awe as Keith E used his organ as a “knife cushion. Gutted when he broke up the group and never bought an ELP single or album in disgust!

Malcolm Langstaff

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Undoubtedly the breifest tenure in the band, Malcolm Langstaff was a guitarist frm the North-east (presumably known to Lee) who replaced Davy O’List for a few weeks. he was cited in the press (called “Gordon”) as having joined, then shortly afterwards having “left” and I can find no further reference to him. Has anyone got further information? He is credited on Wikipedia as appearing on “1st Movement: Awakenings” from Ars Vita Longa Brevis but I’m damned if I can hear any guitar on that track. There is some guitar on “2nd Movement – Realisation” It also sounds like a “jangly” guitar and the photo show’s him playing what I think is a Gretsch, which would sound somthing like it does on the track. However, Davy did play this track live with them. Earlier in his career, Langstaff was a member of The Kylastrons. He died in 2007.