James Taylor is an American folk musician. Fame brought him hits "Fire and Rain", "You've Got a Friend". His disc "Greatest Hits" has become a "diamond". The musician is a five-time Grammy winner. Since 2005, Taylor has been part of the American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
James Vernon Taylor was born in Boston in March 1948. The father of the future celebrity was a well-known doctor, his mother was once considered a promising opera singer. However, after the wedding, she completely immersed in family life.
Destination Search
Of the five children of Gertrude, Woodard James was the second. With a three-year-old future famous musician, the whole family moved to North Carolina. The reason for the change of residence was the rise of his father.
Isaac Taylor became an assistant professor at the State University School of Medicine. The family settled in Morgan Creek. Later, the musician admitted that in many respects his formation he owed to the calm and silence radiated by the local hills.
James went to regular school. His first instrument was a cello. However, after meeting with a guitar in 1960, the young man fell forever under her charm. The unique style of the game was created based on the music of Woody Gantry.
The musician created the technique based on his preparation for playing the cello. In the fall of 1961, a visit by Taylor to the Milton Academy began. It took preparatory courses.
James was already convinced of his commitment to folk music, musical addictions were fully formed. The musical group Taylor met with the talented and purposeful guitarist Danny Kortchmar. A common language was found quickly, young people began to play together. Taylor is constantly improving his technique. Since 1963, buddies performed as a duet "Jamie and Kutch."
The past year at Milton has not been easy. The whole atmosphere acted depressingly on the musician. He returned home to complete high school. The joyful news was the invitation to join the musical group of his older brother.
The band was originally called The Corsayers, then changed its name to The Fabulous Corsairs. The guy had to return to Milton already in 1965. The young man quickly became depressed because of bleak prospects. As a result, he ended up in the hospital for nine whole months.
New team
James was discharged from the clinic at the insistence of his friend Danny Kortchmar. Both moved to New York. Young musicians decided to establish their own collective. It consisted of a drummer and bass player.
The guys called the group "Flying Machine". They began to sing compositions written by James. By the summer of 1966, performances at the prestigious Greenwich Village venue, Night Owl Cafe, took place regularly.
New singles came out one after another. However, the group did not last long. Soon, the Flying Car broke up. James realized he was on the edge again. He turned to his father. He immediately took his son home.
For about six months, he remained at the rehabilitation center. He had to undergo an operation on his vocal cords, which the musician damaged during one of his performances. In 1967, James moved to London. He began to perform solo.
The musician managed to contact Peter Asher, who collaborated with Apple Records. As a result, a contract was signed. In late 1968, Taylor's first record was released. The premiere did not cause any noise.
In 1969, the musician performed at the Newport Festival. The audience sang along to the performer in the pouring rain. Soon in an accident, James was seriously injured. He could not speak, but he created new works.
Success and rewards
By the end of 1969, a contract was signed with Warner Bros. Records. Released in 1970, Sweet Baby James was a success. Then success came to the first disc. Compositions occupied the top lines of the charts. James also tried his hand at the movies.
He starred in the movie "Two-Lane Blacktop", but he did not like the experience. In 1971, the musician was awarded a Grammy for the best male vocal show. At the end of 1972, the new album "One Man Dog" was released.
At the very beginning of 1973, work began on a new disc together with Paul and Linda McCartney and David Spinoza. The project was a failure. A year later, Taylor's "Gorilla" disc turned out to be good luck.
The song from it "Loved You You" rose to the top of the national charts. In November 1976, a CD with the best works of the famous musician of 1970-1976 was released. He went platinum six times.
James was awarded the second Grammy in February 1978 for his work, the hit “Handy Man”. From the beginning of 1980, touring began. After the last "Dad Loves His Work" James did not start new projects.
In 1985, he thought about ending his career. Family and music In memory of his performance at the festival in Brazil in 1985, the musician created the song "Only a Dream in Rio", which was included in the album "That's Why I'm Here Here".
