James Taylor

James Taylor - Columbia

James Taylor

James Vernon Taylor (born March 12, 1948) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A six-time Grammy Award winner, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. Taylor is known for his distinctive style of folk rock and soft rock music.

Early Life[edit | edit source]

James Taylor was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He is the son of Isaac M. Taylor, a resident physician, and Gertrude Woodard, an aspiring opera singer. Taylor's family moved to North Carolina when he was three years old. He began playing the cello as a child before switching to the guitar in 1960.

Career[edit | edit source]

1960s[edit | edit source]

Taylor's career began in the mid-1960s when he formed a band called The Corsayers with his brother Alex. In 1966, he moved to New York City and formed the band The Flying Machine. The band released one single, "Brighten Your Night with My Day," but disbanded due to Taylor's struggles with heroin addiction.

1970s[edit | edit source]

Taylor's breakthrough came in 1970 with the release of his second album, Sweet Baby James, which included the hit single "Fire and Rain". The album was a critical and commercial success, earning Taylor his first Grammy Award nomination. In 1971, he released the album Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon, which featured the hit "You've Got a Friend", written by Carole King.

1980s and 1990s[edit | edit source]

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Taylor continued to release successful albums, including Dad Loves His Work (1981), That's Why I'm Here (1985), and New Moon Shine (1991). He also collaborated with other artists, including Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon, to whom he was married from 1972 to 1983.

2000s to Present[edit | edit source]

In the 2000s, Taylor continued to tour and release new music. His 2002 album October Road was well-received, and he won another Grammy Award for his 2008 album Covers. In 2015, he released Before This World, his first album of original material in 13 years, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.

Personal Life[edit | edit source]

Taylor has been married three times and has four children. He is known for his philanthropic efforts, including support for environmental causes and music education.