Early Life and Education of James Taylor: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of James Taylor, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

James Vernon Taylor is an acclaimed American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A six-time Grammy Award recipient, his musical achievements led to his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. Taylor's career is marked by his distinctive vocal style and introspective songwriting, solidifying his place as a significant figure in popular music.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1921: Birth of Gertrude Woodard

In 1921, Gertrude Woodard, James Taylor's mother, was born. She later studied singing and was an aspiring opera singer.

1946: Marriage of Isaac Taylor and Gertrude Woodard

In 1946, Isaac M. Taylor and Gertrude Woodard married. She had been studying singing and aspired to be an opera singer.

1947: Birth of Alex Taylor

In 1947, Alex Taylor, James Taylor's older brother and a musician, was born.

March 12, 1948: James Taylor Born

On March 12, 1948, James Vernon Taylor was born. He is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.

1949: Birth of Kate Taylor

In 1949, Kate Taylor, James Taylor's younger sister and a musician, was born.

1950: Birth of Livingston Taylor

In 1950, Livingston Taylor, James Taylor's younger brother and a musician, was born.

1951: Move to Chapel Hill, North Carolina

In 1951, James Taylor and his family moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, when his father took a job at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.

1952: Birth of Hugh Taylor

In 1952, Hugh Taylor, James Taylor's youngest brother and also a musician, was born.

1953: Summers on Martha's Vineyard Begin

Beginning in 1953, the Taylors spent summers on Martha's Vineyard.

1955: Isaac Taylor's Military Service

In 1955, Isaac Taylor, James Taylor's father, was frequently away from home on military service, including time as part of Operation Deep Freeze in Antarctica in 1955 and 1956.

1956: Isaac Taylor's Military Service

In 1956, Isaac Taylor, James Taylor's father, was frequently away from home on military service, including time as part of Operation Deep Freeze in Antarctica in 1955 and 1956.

1960: Learning the Guitar

In 1960, James Taylor learned the guitar, influenced by hymns, carols, and the music of Woody Guthrie.

1961: Attended Milton Academy

In 1961, James Taylor went to Milton Academy, a preparatory boarding school in Massachusetts.

1964: Isaac Taylor Becomes Dean of UNC School of Medicine

From 1964 to 1971, Isaac Taylor, James Taylor's father, rose to become dean of the UNC School of Medicine.

1965: Committed to McLean Psychiatric Hospital

In late 1965, James Taylor committed himself to McLean, a psychiatric hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts, due to depression.

1966: Earned High School Diploma

In 1966, James Taylor earned a high school diploma from the Arlington School, associated with McLean Hospital.

1967: Moved to London

In late 1967, James Taylor moved to London funded by a family inheritance and began working as a solo artist.

1971: Isaac Taylor Ends Term as Dean of UNC School of Medicine

From 1964 to 1971, Isaac Taylor, James Taylor's father, served as dean of the UNC School of Medicine.

November 1972: Marriage to Carly Simon

In November 1972, James Taylor married singer Carly Simon in a low-key ceremony at Simon's home in New York. Taylor was 24 and Simon 29.

November 1972: Release of One Man Dog album and marriage to Carly Simon

In November 1972, James Taylor released his fourth album, "One Man Dog". On November 3, he married Carly Simon in a small ceremony in Manhattan.

1973: Taylor enjoyed new life as a married man

James Taylor spent most of 1973 enjoying his new life as a married man.

January 7, 1974: Birth of daughter Sarah Maria "Sally" Taylor

On January 7, 1974, James Taylor and Carly Simon's daughter, Sarah Maria "Sally" Taylor, was born.

January 22, 1977: Birth of son Benjamin Simon "Ben" Taylor

On January 22, 1977, James Taylor and Carly Simon's son, Benjamin Simon "Ben" Taylor, was born.

December 7, 1980: Encounter with Mark David Chapman

On December 7, 1980, James Taylor had an encounter with Mark David Chapman, the man who would murder John Lennon the next day.

September 1981: Carly Simon announces separation from Taylor

In September 1981, Carly Simon announced her separation from James Taylor, citing differing needs.

September 1983: Taylor begins to discontinue methadone

Over the course of four months starting in September 1983, James Taylor overcame his heroin habit.

1983: Divorce from Carly Simon

In 1983, James Taylor and Carly Simon divorced.

January 1985: Performance at Rock in Rio festival

In January 1985, James Taylor played at the Rock in Rio festival in Rio de Janeiro.

December 14, 1985: Marriage to Kathryn Walker

On December 14, 1985, James Taylor married actress Kathryn Walker at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

1995: Began dating Caroline "Kim" Smedvig

In 1995, James Taylor began dating Caroline "Kim" Smedvig, the director of public relations and marketing for the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

1996: Divorce from Kathryn Walker

In 1996, James Taylor and Kathryn Walker divorced.

February 18, 2001: Marriage to Caroline "Kim" Smedvig

On February 18, 2001, James Taylor married Caroline "Kim" Smedvig at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Boston.

April 2001: Birth of twin sons Rufus and Henry

In April 2001, James Taylor and Caroline Smedvig had twin sons named Rufus and Henry, and settled in Lenox, Massachusetts.

October 2004: Joining the Vote for Change tour

In October 2004, James Taylor joined the Vote for Change tour, playing concerts in American swing states to mobilize voters for John Kerry and against George W. Bush, with joint performances alongside the Dixie Chicks.

December 23, 2007: CBS Sunday Morning Broadcast

On December 23, 2007, James Taylor was featured on CBS Sunday Morning in a broadcast that showed him alluding to his early drug problems during a Troubadour performance.

2010: Taylor describes his encounter with Mark David Chapman

In 2010, James Taylor told the BBC about his encounter with Mark David Chapman on December 7, 1980, the day before Chapman murdered John Lennon.

2012: Support for Barack Obama's reelection campaign

In 2012, James Taylor was active in supporting Barack Obama's reelection campaign and opened the 2012 Democratic National Convention singing three songs. He also performed "America the Beautiful" at Obama's second inauguration.

April 24, 2013: Performance at memorial service for Sean Collier

On April 24, 2013, James Taylor performed at the memorial service for slain MIT police officer Sean Collier. He was accompanied by the MIT Symphony Orchestra and MIT a cappella groups, performing "The Water is Wide" and "Shower the People".

2017: Taylor Protests Philippine Drug War

In 2017, James Taylor cancelled his concert in Manila as a protest against the extrajudicial killings of suspects in the Philippine Drug War.

May 2020: Tour Rescheduled Due to COVID-19

In May 2020, James Taylor and Jackson Browne rescheduled their 2020 tour dates to 2021 due to the COVID-19 crisis.

2021: Henry tours as backing vocalist

As of 2021, James Taylor's son, Henry, has toured as a backing vocalist with his father.

2021: Rescheduled tour

In 2021, James Taylor and Jackson Browne performed the tour, rescheduled from 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis.

October 24, 2024: Performs at Kamala Harris rally

On October 24, 2024, James Taylor performed multiple songs at a rally held by Tim Walz in Wilmington, North Carolina as part of the Kamala Harris 2024 presidential campaign.