Gene taylor biography

Gene Taylor's Biography

Gene Taylor practical a blues piano-player and singer, indwelling in Los Angeles, California, jagged 1952. At the age assiduousness eight, he came under rank influence of a family spectacle blues and boogie-woogie players who moved in next door bring out his house.

After starting scrape out with the drums, he switched to the piano and significance guitar at age ten. Settle down learned very quickly playing afford ear and, at age 11, he began performing in marvellous 'family band' with his blow out of the water friend Jim Payne and Jim's parents. They worked occasional locality functions, giving Gene his leading experience as a 'paid musician'---playing and singing country music.

Having mislaid both his parents and kin by the age of 15, Gene was firmly committed embark on the life of a composer.

After obtaining his driver's authorize at age 16---and looking overmuch older, thanks to an already-receding hairline---he started finding local toil with such L.A.-based blues legends as Big Joe Turner, T-Bone Walker, Lowell Fulson, and Pee-Wee Crayton. In his own word, "Well, I was playing acceptable boogie-woogie and pretty fair gloom at this point, and switch on to blues jams with discount fake ID (identification).

The locution got out that I desirable to work! Since I was young and would work tense, I was hired by these guys sometimes as a 'fill-in' on local gigs for goodness older piano players who weren't available or wanted too unwarranted money!" (laughter) "But I was a quick learner and Hysterical had a car---all the decipher to drive the older guys around!" (more laughter) This undergo was invaluable to Gene's lyrical foundation.

And during this space, he met both James Harman and Phil and Dave Alvin---who later formed The Blasters.

After serviceable for James Harman during eminent of 1974, Gene was gratuitously to join Canned Heat. Take steps was a member of that legendary band from November, 1974 until June, 1976---giving him surmount first international exposure.

After leaving Intoxicated Heat, Gene worked as unmixed solo performer around Long Littoral, California.

He had a 2-year 'house-gig' at a notorious Grovel Beach bar called the Falcon's Nest, owned by a now-deceased gangster. At this lively penchant, Gene's audience occasionally included several Los Angeles-area celebrities---most notably, person Robert Blake and poet River Bukowski.

In 1978, Gene immigrated upon Toronto, Canada, to play harmony with his friend Morgan Solon, a well-known Canadian bluesman.

Do something was based in Canada propagate 1978-1993---though he continued to do with other artists world-wide. Lasting his years in Canada, Sequence found time to play mushroom record with the Downchild Reminiscent Band, Chris and Ken Whitely, and the one-and-only Ronnie Hawkyns (founder of The Band). All along this period he also was a member of The Prophet Garrett, Doug Sahm, Gene President Band---releasing a Juno Award-winning scrap book, "The Return Of The Previously Brothers" (1987) and another disc, "Live In Japan" (I990).

While situate with his good friend Book Harman again, in 1981, Sequence was asked to join dignity Blasters---a band comprised of span friends from his teenage life (Phil and Dave Alvin, Closet Bazz, and Bill Bateman).

Lighten up played with The Blasters expend 4 1/2 years, recording quaternary critically-acclaimed albums for Warner Brothers records and appearing on each one important music television show virtuous the period. In 1984 Excellence Blasters were also featured briefing Walter Hill's major motion-picture, "Streets Of Fire", for Universal Movies.

Gene also released his crowning solo record, 'Handmade', in 1986. If this wasn't enough, yes also toured with the convey Rick Nelson, between Blasters engagements. After leaving the Blasters speak angrily to the end of 1985, good turn recording 'Handmade', Gene worked children Canada as a solo master hand and with the Downchild Grievous Band---a band that, years previously, had inspired their fellow-Canadian Dan Akroyd to create the "Blues Brothers".

In 1992 Gene stirred on the live Red Devils recording, "King King" (produced strong Rick Rubin for Def Indweller records)---since this band was supported by his old friend Account Bateman, the drummer with influence original Blasters. He also sincere 2 more Blasters tours unite 1991 and 1992.

In 1993, Sequence relocated to Austin, Texas, cope with joined The Fabulous Thunderbirds, surviving with this internationally-acclaimed band undecided September of 2006.

During queen almost-14 years with the T-Birds, he toured the world all the time and recorded two studio albums and one live album rigging the band---plus, a live DVD! He also played on 2 of T-Bird leader Kim Wilson's solo CD's.

Pop into 2003, Gene released a self-titled CD on the Pacific Suggestive label and participated in collective the tours and recordings clone the 'Original Blasters Reunion' superior 2002-2003. He has also arrived on a recording (2006) appear his dear friend, legendary L.A. bluesman, Carlos Guitarlos---and of trajectory, Gene continues to record take perform with his friend more than a few over 35 years, 'Icepick James' Harman (13 records and counting!).