Alexander Robert Taylor (February 28, 1947 – March 12, 1993) was an American singer.
Alexander Taylor was the eldest child of Gertrude and Isaac M. Taylor. He was a member of a family which produced a number of musicians, the most famous of whom is James Taylor, as well as Livingston, Hugh, and Kate Taylor.
Alex Taylor had two sons, Edward and James. The elder son, Edward was adopted, and lives in North Carolina; his second son James, who resides on Martha’s Vineyard, is the namesake of Alex’s brother James, and inspired his uncle’s 1970 hit “Sweet Baby James.”
Alex Taylor traveled around Florida gigging and recording his finest work at a little studio in Tampa called Progressive Music. Taylor suffered a heart attack on March 7, 1993, in Sanford, Florida, while recording a third album at King Snake Records Studio. He died on March 12, 1993 (James’s birthday), at 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 Taylor suddenly stopped breathing while sleeping in a Kingsnake Records studio and that this occurred shortly after Taylor downed almost an entire bottle of vodka (“what was for him… not an exceptional amount of booze”). James Taylor wrote his song “Enough To Be On Your Way” with Alex’s funeral in mind then changed some of the details to commemorate a fictional “Alice”.
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. (wikipedia)
And here´s a pretty good livw recording
Singer and songwriter Alex Taylor with his band “Friends and Neighbours” opening for the Allman Brothers Band on a concert from early ´72. Features tracks from his second album titled Dinnertime released on Capricorn Records about a week after the show.
This is great Southern Rock and Roll with R´n´B from James Taylor´s older brother accompanied with excellent musicians, including a very young Chuck Leavell. (soundaboard.blogspot.com)
That´s the good old Southern Rock my friends !
Recorded live at the Memorial Coliseum , Auburn, Alabama, February 12, 1972
vry good soundboard recording
Personnel:
Charlie Hayward (bass)
Paul Hornsby (organ)
Chuck Leavell (piano)
Lou Moullenix (drums)
Jimmy Nalls (guitar)
Speedo (percussion)
Bill Steward (drums)
Alex Taylor (vocals)
Tracklist:
01. I Don´t Need No Doctor (Ashford/Simpson/Armstead) 4.48
02. Who´s Been Talking? (Burnett) 5.04
03. When This Battle Is Over (Hill/Rebennack) 4.17
04. Good Morning Miss Brown (Mahal) 4.26
05. You’re Gonna Need Me () 4.31
06. From A Buick Six (Dylan)
07. Night Owl (J.Taylor) 4.18
08. Band introduction 1.00
08. Payday (Winchester) 4.10
09. Who Will The Next Fool Be? (Rich) 5.19
10 Going Down (Nix) 3.12
Alternate frontcover:
ManyFantasticColors 