University of Virginia Library

Surrounded By Talent

Born into an affluent family
(his father is now Dean of
University of North Carolina
Medical School), Taylor is
surrounded by musical talent.
His brother Livingston has
released an album and
performed in several concerts.
Sister Kate appeared on
national TV in "Good
Vibrations From Central
Park."

Recently, Taylor added
another star to the family's
galaxy by marrying Carly
Simon and announcing the
marriage at a concert.

Taylor had his first taste of
music by playing the cello and
studying theoretic music. But
studying was not the Taylor
style, and he took up guitar on
his own, embarking on what
was to be his sensitive tradition
in lyrics and sound.

Taylor's first public
appearance was in 1966 with
The Flying Machine. About it
he has written, "We were a
good band – I wrote a lot." It

disbanded after only a year and
one disc on the Euphoria label.

Apple records, the company
owned and managed by the
Beatles signed Taylor to his
first solo contract, which is
why he says, "I owe my first
album to the Beatles." His
James Taylor disc, (where Paul
McCartney played bass),
brought him his first true
recognition, but Apple released
him because he didn't show
much promise.

Ironically, Taylor
skyrocketed to success with
the release of Sweet Baby
James on Warner Brothers.
Aided by Danny Kortchmar
from his Flying Machine days
and Carole King, Sweet Baby
James transformed James
Taylor into a household word
with a fan club of
widely-ranged ages.