Rise to Success: Career Highlights of James Taylor
How James Taylor built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
James Vernon Taylor is a highly acclaimed American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He has garnered significant recognition throughout his career, including six Grammy Awards. His contributions to music have been acknowledged with his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, solidifying his status as a major figure in the music industry.
1963: Playing Coffeehouses with Danny Kortchmar
By the summer of 1963, James Taylor and Danny Kortchmar were performing in coffeehouses around Martha's Vineyard, billed as "Jamie & Kootch".
1964: Recorded Single with The Corsayers
In 1964, James Taylor's band, The Corsayers, cut a single featuring James's song "Cha Cha Blues" on the B-side.
1966: Formation of The Flying Machine
In 1966, James Taylor moved to New York City to form the band The Flying Machine with Danny Kortchmar, Joel O'Brien, and Zachary Wiesner.
1966: Flying Machine Single Release
In late 1966, The Flying Machine released a single, "Night Owl," which received some radio airplay but charted at No. 102 nationally.
1967: Moved to London
In late 1967, James Taylor moved to London to pursue a solo career and was introduced to Peter Asher.
October 1968: Recording First Album
From July to October 1968, James Taylor recorded his first album at Trident Studios while The Beatles recorded The White Album.
December 1968: Release of Debut Album in the UK
In December 1968, James Taylor's debut album, "James Taylor", was released in the UK.
February 1969: Release of Debut Album in the US
In February 1969, James Taylor's debut album, "James Taylor", was released in the US, receiving positive reviews but facing challenges due to his hospitalization.
July 1969: Troubadour Headlining and Newport Folk Festival
In July 1969, James Taylor headlined at the Troubadour in Los Angeles and performed at the Newport Folk Festival.
October 1969: Signed with Warner Bros. Records
In October 1969, after recovering from a motorcycle accident, James Taylor signed a new deal with Warner Bros. Records.
December 1969: Recording "Sweet Baby James"
In December 1969, James Taylor held recording sessions in California for his second album, "Sweet Baby James".
February 1970: Release of "Sweet Baby James"
In February 1970, James Taylor released "Sweet Baby James", which became his critical and popular breakthrough, featuring the single "Fire and Rain".
March 14, 1970: Sweet Baby James Arrived on Billboard List
On March 14, 1970, James Taylor arrived on the Billboard list with Sweet Baby James.
October 1970: Performed at Greenpeace benefit concert
In October 1970, James Taylor performed with Joni Mitchell, Phil Ochs, and Chilliwack at a Vancouver benefit concert supporting Greenpeace's protests against US nuclear weapons tests in Amchitka, Alaska.
1970: Compilation of Best Work
Compilation of James Taylor's best work between 1970 and 1976 was released
1970: Breakthrough with "Fire and Rain"
In 1970, James Taylor achieved his breakthrough with the single "Fire and Rain," which reached No. 3 on the charts.
January 1971: Began Sessions for Next Album
In January 1971, James Taylor began recording sessions for his next album.
February 17, 1971: Appearance on The Johnny Cash Show
On February 17, 1971, James Taylor appeared on The Johnny Cash Show, where he performed "Sweet Baby James", "Fire and Rain", and "Country Road".
March 1, 1971: Time Magazine Cover Story
On March 1, 1971, James Taylor was featured on the cover of Time magazine, hailed as "the face of new rock," marking a significant moment in his burgeoning career.
April 1971: Release of "Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon"
In April 1971, James Taylor released "Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon", which received critical acclaim and featured his hit single "You've Got a Friend".
1971: First No. 1 Hit
In 1971, James Taylor had his first No. 1 hit with his recording of "You've Got a Friend", written by Carole King.
1971: Leading Role in "Two-Lane Blacktop"
In 1971, James Taylor played the leading role in Monte Hellman's film "Two-Lane Blacktop."
1971: Release of "James Taylor and the Original Flying Machine"
In 1971, following James Taylor's success as a solo artist, the recordings by The Flying Machine were released as "James Taylor and the Original Flying Machine".
November 1972: Released "One Man Dog" album and Married Carly Simon
In November 1972, James Taylor released his fourth album, "One Man Dog", and married Carly Simon on November 3 in Manhattan.
1972: Won Grammy Award
In early 1972, James Taylor won his first Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male, for "You've Got a Friend".
January 1974: Started sessions for fifth album
In January 1974, James Taylor began sessions for his fifth album after spending most of 1973 enjoying married life.
1975: Release and Success of "Gorilla" Album
In 1975, James Taylor's album "Gorilla" was released, achieving Gold status and featuring the hit single "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)".
1976: Release of 'In the Pocket' Album
In 1976, James Taylor released 'In the Pocket,' his last studio album under Warner Bros. Records, featuring collaborations with various artists and the hit single "Shower the People".
1976: "Greatest Hits" Album Certified Diamond
In 1976, James Taylor's "Greatest Hits" album was certified Diamond and has sold 11 million copies in the US alone.
August 11, 1977: Rolling Stone Review of JT
On August 11, 1977, Peter Herbst of Rolling Stone published a favorable review of James Taylor's album JT, praising its variety and Taylor's healthy sound.
1977: Release of JT album
Following the release of his album JT in 1977, James Taylor retained a large audience, with every album from 1977 to 2007 selling over 1 million copies.
1978: Nomination for Album of the Year
In 1978, James Taylor's album "JT" received a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year.
1978: Guested with Paul Simon
In early 1978, James Taylor guested with Paul Simon on Art Garfunkel's recording of Sam Cooke's "Wonderful World".
1979: Released Cover-Studded Platinum Album Flag
In the summer of 1979, James Taylor released the cover-studded Platinum album titled Flag, featuring a Top 30 version of Gerry Goffin's and Carole King's "Up on the Roof".
March 1981: Released Dad Loves His Work album
In March 1981, James Taylor released the album Dad Loves His Work, with themes concerning his relationship with his father and the effects he and Simon had on each other.
January 1985: Played at Rock in Rio Festival
In January 1985, James Taylor played the Rock in Rio festival in Rio de Janeiro, which helped him to feel musically energized and encouraged by the nascent democracy in Brazil.
October 1985: Released That's Why I'm Here Album
In October 1985, James Taylor released the album That's Why I'm Here, featuring the song "Only a Dream in Rio", which was written in tribute to his experience at the Rock in Rio festival.
1988: Released Never Die Young
In 1988, James Taylor released the album Never Die Young, featuring the charting title track.
1991: Released New Moon Shine
In 1991, James Taylor released the platinum album New Moon Shine, featuring the popular songs "Copperline" and "(I've Got to) Stop Thinkin' About That".
1993: Release of Live Album
In 1993, James Taylor released a two-disc Live album, capturing the musicianship of his band and backup singers during his concerts.
1995: Performed in Randy Newman's Faust
In 1995, James Taylor performed the role of the Lord in Randy Newman's Faust.
1997: Release of "Hourglass" album
In 1997, James Taylor released "Hourglass", an introspective album that received the best critical reviews in almost twenty years, focusing on his troubled past and family.
1998: Grammy Award for Best Pop Album
In 1998, James Taylor won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Album for "Hourglass", his first Grammy since JT.
2002: Release of "October Road" album
In 2002, James Taylor released "October Road", which was Platinum-certified. Also in 2002, Taylor teamed with Alison Krauss in singing "The Boxer" at the Kennedy Center Honors Tribute to Paul Simon.
2006: MusiCares Person of the Year
In 2006, James Taylor was honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year by the Grammy Awards, with musicians like Carole King, Bruce Springsteen, and Paul Simon paying tribute to him at a Los Angeles ceremony.
2006: Release of "James Taylor at Christmas"
In the fall of 2006, James Taylor released a repackaged version of his Hallmark Christmas album, entitled "James Taylor at Christmas". Also in 2006, Taylor performed Randy Newman's song "Our Town" for the Disney animated film Cars.
November 2007: Release of "One Man Band" album
In November 2007, James Taylor's album, "One Man Band" was released on CD and DVD.
2007: Continued Album Success
Every album released by James Taylor from 1977 to 2007 sold over 1 million copies, showcasing his sustained popularity.
January 2008: Recorded songs for "Covers" album
In January 2008, James Taylor recorded approximately 20 songs by others for a new album.
September 2008: Release of "Covers" album
In September 2008, James Taylor's live-in-studio album, named "Covers", was released.
April 2009: Release of "Other Covers" album
In April 2009, James Taylor released an additional album, called "Other Covers", containing songs recorded during the same sessions as the original Covers.
March 2010: Troubadour Reunion Tour
In March 2010, James Taylor commenced the Troubadour Reunion Tour with Carole King and members of his original band.
June 21, 2015: Before This World Launched atop Billboard 200
On June 21, 2015, James Taylor launched atop the Billboard 200 with 97,000 equivalent album units earned.
July 4, 2015: Before This World Reaches No. 1 on Billboard 200
On July 4, 2015, James Taylor earned his first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart with Before This World.
2015: First Number-One Album in the US
In 2015, James Taylor achieved his first number-one album in the US with "Before This World."
2015: Before This World Reached No. 1
In 2015, James Taylor's album "Before This World" reached No. 1, superseding Taylor Swift in album chart position.
January 2020: Released Audio Memoir
In January 2020, James Taylor released his audio memoir Break Shot: My First 21 Years on Audible.
February 28, 2020: Released "American Standard" album
On February 28, 2020, James Taylor's album "American Standard" was released.
2021: Son Tours as Backing Vocalist
As of 2021, Henry Taylor, James Taylor's son, began touring as a backing vocalist with his father.
October 24, 2024: Performance at Kamala Harris Campaign Rally
On October 24, 2024, James Taylor performed "America the Beautiful", "Sweet Baby James", and "You've Got a Friend" at a rally for Tim Walz in Wilmington, North Carolina, supporting Kamala Harris's 2024 presidential campaign.
