Alex Taylor (musician)
Encyclopedia
Alex Taylor was an American singer. Alexander Taylor was the eldest child of Dr. Isaac Taylor and Gertrude Taylor. He was a member of a family which produced a number of musicians, the most famous of whom is James Taylor
, but also includes Livingston
, Hugh and Kate Taylor
.
Alex Taylor had two sons, Edward and James. His older son Edward was adopted; his second son James, is the namesake of Alex's brother James, and inspired his uncle's 1970 hit "Sweet Baby James
." Alex Taylor suffered a heart attack
on March 7, 1993 in Sanford, Florida
, while recording a third album at King Snake Records Studio. He died without regaining consciousness on March 12, 1993, age 46. He was survived by his wife Brent B. Taylor, then age 46, of West Tisbury
, his two sons, and granddaughters Caroline, Anna Kate, Paige, and Claudia.
According to the official Rolling Stone biography of James Taylor
, Alex Taylor's death has been attributed to alcoholism
. Livingston Taylor
has said in an interview that Alex suddenly stopped breathing while sleeping in a Kingsnake Records studio and that this occurred shortly after Alex Taylor downed a fifth of a bottle of vodka
("what was for him... not an exceptional amount of booze").
Livingston Taylor called him "generous to the very fiber of his soul" and "the greatest older brother ever". Livingston also said that Alex supported and protected him during his troubled childhood.
James Taylor
James Vernon Taylor is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Taylor was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000....
, but also includes Livingston
Livingston Taylor
Livingston Taylor is an American singer-songwriter, born in Boston, Massachusetts and raised in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He attended the Westtown School in Pennsylvania...
, Hugh and Kate Taylor
Kate Taylor
Kate Taylor is an American folk singer, originally from Boston, Massachusetts.-Biography:Kate was born in Boston and grew up with her four brothers in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where her father was Dean of the medical school at the University of North Carolina...
.
Alex Taylor had two sons, Edward and James. His older son Edward was adopted; his second son James, is the namesake of Alex's brother James, and inspired his uncle's 1970 hit "Sweet Baby James
Sweet Baby James (song)
"Sweet Baby James" is a song written and recorded by James Taylor which serves as the opening and title track from his 1970 breakthrough album Sweet Baby James...
." Alex Taylor suffered a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
on March 7, 1993 in Sanford, Florida
Sanford, Florida
Sanford is a city in, and the county seat of, Seminole County, Florida, United States. The population was 38,291 at the 2000 census. As of 2009, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 50,998...
, while recording a third album at King Snake Records Studio. He died without regaining consciousness on March 12, 1993, age 46. He was survived by his wife Brent B. Taylor, then age 46, of West Tisbury
West Tisbury
West Tisbury is the name of two places:*West Tisbury, Wiltshire, England*West Tisbury, Massachusetts, USA...
, his two sons, and granddaughters Caroline, Anna Kate, Paige, and Claudia.
According to the official Rolling Stone biography of James Taylor
James Taylor
James Vernon Taylor is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Taylor was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000....
, Alex Taylor's death has been attributed to alcoholism
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
. Livingston Taylor
Livingston Taylor
Livingston Taylor is an American singer-songwriter, born in Boston, Massachusetts and raised in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He attended the Westtown School in Pennsylvania...
has said in an interview that Alex suddenly stopped breathing while sleeping in a Kingsnake Records studio and that this occurred shortly after Alex Taylor downed a fifth of a bottle of vodka
Vodka
Vodka , is a distilled beverage. It is composed primarily of water and ethanol with traces of impurities and flavorings. Vodka is made by the distillation of fermented substances such as grains, potatoes, or sometimes fruits....
("what was for him... not an exceptional amount of booze").
Livingston Taylor called him "generous to the very fiber of his soul" and "the greatest older brother ever". Livingston also said that Alex supported and protected him during his troubled childhood.
Discography
- With Friends and NeighborsWith Friends and NeighborsAlex Taylor With Friends and Neighbors is the debut album by Alex Taylor, brother of James, Livingston and Kate Taylor. The album was recorded in Macon, Georgia at Capricorn Studios...
(1971) - DinnertimeDinnertimeDinnertime is the second album by Alex Taylor, brother of James, Livingston and Kate Taylor. The album was recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio...
(1972) - Third for Music (1974)
- Dancing With The Devil (1981)
- Voodoo In Me (1989)
External links
- Noel Coppage's review of Dinnertime (Archived 2009-10-25)