In March of 1987 five men got together to start a flute band to support the Orange Lodge of Paisley. They met up at Castle Street Social Club which is the orange halls of the town this is in the west end of Paisley. It was decided that the new band would be named after the local Abbey they were called the Abbey Flute Band. The new band were beginning to attract members from around the town, there was an air of excitement surrounding the band. They started to raise money to buy instruments and practiced to get ready for their first appearance. Members of the band felt after a number of months the name Abbey Flute Band was not a suitable name, a suggestion was made to use the name the Imperial Blues. The band decided this was to be the new name of the band and it was to become one of the most well recognized names in the country. The band was ready and prepared to make their first public appearance at Castle Street. The dance was a sell out and the crowd applauded the new band, their opening appearance was a success.