James Taylor (Singer-Songwriter and Guitarist)
Full Name: James Vernon Taylor
Profession: Singer-Songwriter and Guitarist
Biography: James Taylor was born to a medical doctor and a classically trained soprano in Boston, and raised in North Carolina. He began his career in Martha's Vineyard, where he spent summers, performing folk music with Danny Kortchmar.
He struggled with depression and drug dependency, spending time in psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities, which shaped some of the confessional style of his music. Championed by the likes of Peter Asher, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Carole King, he came into his own as both a singer-songwriter ("Fire and Rain"; "Your Smiling Face") and interpreter of other's music ("You've Got A Friend"; "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You").
His recordings have sold over 100 million units, and garnered 6 Grammy Awards. In 2000, he was inducted into both The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and The Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2006 he was named MusiCares Person of the Year. In 2015 he was awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama.
Born: March 12, 1948
Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Age: 76 years old
Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Rat
Star Sign: Pisces
Career Highlights
- 1972-04-15 Barbra Streisand, James Taylor, Carole King, and Quincy Jones perform benefit concert for George McGovern for President campaign at the Forum in Inglewood, California
- 1979-09-19 5-day MUSE (Musicians United for Safe Energy) "No Nukes" concert against nuclear power opens at Madison Square Garden, NYC; performers include: Jackson Browne; Bonnie Raitt; Crosby, Stills & Nash; Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band; James Taylor; Carly Simon; Gil Scott-Heron, and the Doobie Brothers
- 1992-03-12 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Natalie Cole, and Don Henley
- 1993-03-02 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, James Taylor, Bryan Adams, Tom Jones, George Michael, and Herb Alpert
- 1994-04-09 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Whitney Houston, Luciano Pavarotti, Aaron Neville, Tammy Wynette, Branford Marsalis, and Larry Adler
- 1995-04-12 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Jessye Norman, and Geoffrey Oryema
- 1996-04-12 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Don Henley, Diana Ross, Robin Williams, Branford Marsalis, and Kenny Kirkland
- 1997-04-30 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Lyle Lovett, Bobby McFerrin, Bonnie Raitt, Shawn Colvin and Zucchero
- 1998-04-27 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Madonna, Billy Joel, Joe Cocker, Emmylou Harris, Roberta Flack, Wynonna Judd, and Tsidii Leloka
- 1999-04-17 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Billy Joel, Tony Bennett, Don Henley, Ricky Martin and Charles Aznavour
- 2000-03-06 15th Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees: Eric Clapton; Earth, Wind, and Fire; Lovin' Spoonful; The Moonglows; Bonnie Raitt; James Taylor; Nat King Cole; Billie Holiday; Hal Blaine; "King" Curtis; James Jamerson; Scotty Moore; Earl Palmer; and Clive Davis
- 2000-04-13 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Ricky Martin, Billy Joel, Gladys Knight, Percy Sledge, Tom Jones, Martha Reeves, Macy Gray, Sam Moore, and The Impressions
- 2002-04-13 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Nina Simone, Smokey Robinson, Lulu, Patti Labelle, Ravi Shankar, Anoushka Shankar, Jeff Beck, Wynonna Judd, and Rebecca Del Rio
- 2004-04-21 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Billy Joel, Bette Midler, and Little Jimmy Scott
- 2006-05-19 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, James Taylor, Billy Joel, Sheryl Crow, and Lenny Kravitz
- 2008-05-08 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, James Taylor, Billy Joel, Brian Wilson, Chris Botti, Feist, Roberto Alagna, and Natalie Clein
- 2012-04-03 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Jennifer Hudson, Rosanne Cash, Vince Gill, Esperanza Spaulding, Bruno Mars, Bryn Terfel, and Bill Clinton
- 2014-04-17 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Rosanne Cash, Vince Gill, Bruno Mars, Jennifer Hudson, and Bryn Terfel
- 2016-12-14 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, Ronnie Spector, Idina Menzal, Darlene Love, and Jennifer Nettles
- 2019-12-09 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at The Beacon Theatre, NYC; performers include: Sting, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, John Mellencamp, Bob Geldof, Ricky Martin, Eurythmics, Deborah Harry, Shaggy, Zucchero, MC Rodriguez, and H.E.R.
Personal Life
- 1972-11-03 American singer-songwriter James Taylor (23) weds American singer-songwriter Carly Simon (27 or 29) at her Manhattan apartment, they announce the nuptials and celebrate that evening at his Radio City Music Hall concert; divorce in 1983
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