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 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.
1921: Birth of Gertrude Woodard
In 1921, James Taylor's mother, Gertrude Woodard, was born.
1946: Marriage of Isaac and Gertrude Taylor
In 1946, James Taylor's parents, Isaac M. Taylor and Gertrude Woodard, married.
1947: Birth of Alex Taylor
In 1947, Alex Taylor, James Taylor's older brother, was born.
March 12, 1948: James Taylor's Birth in Boston
On March 12, 1948, James Vernon Taylor was born at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston to Isaac M. Taylor and Gertrude (Woodard) Taylor.
1949: Birth of Kate Taylor
In 1949, Kate Taylor, James Taylor's younger sister, was born.
1950: Birth of Livingston Taylor
In 1950, Livingston Taylor, James Taylor's younger brother, was born.
1951: Family Moved to Chapel Hill
In 1951, James Taylor and his family moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where 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, was born.
1953: Summers on Martha's Vineyard
Beginning in 1953, the Taylors spent summers on Martha's Vineyard.
1955: Isaac Taylor's Military Service
In 1955, James Taylor's father, Isaac Taylor, served in the military at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland.
1956: Isaac Taylor's Operation Deep Freeze
In 1956, Isaac Taylor participated in Operation Deep Freeze in Antarctica.
1960: Started Learning Guitar
In 1960, James Taylor began learning to play the guitar, initially taking cello lessons.
1961: Attended Milton Academy
In 1961, James Taylor attended Milton Academy, a preparatory boarding school in Massachusetts.
1964: Isaac Taylor Becomes Dean
From 1964 to 1971, Isaac Taylor served as the 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, for treatment.
1966: Graduated from Arlington School
In 1966, James Taylor earned a high school diploma from Arlington School, associated with McLean Hospital.
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.
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.
1971: Isaac Taylor's Deanship Ends
In 1971, Isaac Taylor's tenure as dean of the UNC School of Medicine concluded.
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.
November 1972: Marriage to Carly Simon
In November 1972, James Taylor, at age 24, married singer Carly Simon, age 29, in a private ceremony at Simon's home in New York.
1973: Enjoyed Life as a Married Man
In 1973, James Taylor spent most of the year enjoying his new life as a married man and did not return to the recording studio.
January 7, 1974: Birth of Daughter Sally Taylor
On January 7, 1974, James Taylor and Carly Simon's daughter, Sarah Maria "Sally" Taylor, was born.
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.
January 22, 1977: Birth of Son Ben Taylor
On January 22, 1977, James Taylor and Carly Simon's son, Benjamin Simon "Ben" Taylor, was born.
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.
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".
December 7, 1980: Encounter with Mark David Chapman
On December 7, 1980, James Taylor had an unsettling encounter with Mark David Chapman, the man who would murder John Lennon the next day.
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.
September 1981: Separation from Carly Simon
In September 1981, Carly Simon announced her separation from James Taylor, citing differing needs, and their divorce was finalized in 1983.
September 1983: Overcame Heroin Habit
Starting in September 1983, James Taylor discontinued methadone and overcame his heroin habit over four months, spurred by the deaths of friends and the desire to be a better father.
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.
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. She assisted him in his fight against heroin addiction.
1989: Hugh Taylor Opens The Outermost Inn
In 1989, Hugh Taylor and his wife opened The Outermost Inn, a bed-and-breakfast in Aquinnah, Massachusetts.
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, after meeting her at a performance with John Williams and the Boston Pops orchestra.
1995: Recollection of Personal Struggles
In 1995, James Taylor recalled that by the time he played Rock in Rio in January 1985, he had "sort of bottomed-out in a drug habit" and was depressed and lost.
1996: Divorce from Walker
In 1996, James Taylor and Walker's divorce took place, inspiring some of the themes on the "Hourglass" album.
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, after meeting when he performed with the Boston Pops orchestra.
April 2001: Birth of Twin Sons
In April 2001, James Taylor and Caroline Smedvig welcomed their twin sons, Rufus and Henry.
October 2004: Joined Vote for Change tour
In October 2004, James Taylor joined the Vote for Change tour, performing concerts in American swing states to mobilize voters for John Kerry.
2006: Honored by MusiCares
In early 2006, MusiCares honored James Taylor with performances of his songs by notable musicians.
December 23, 2007: Appearance on CBS Sunday Morning
On December 23, 2007, parts of James Taylor's performance at the Troubadour were shown on CBS Sunday Morning. Taylor alluded to his early drug problems.
2008: Free concerts in support of Barack Obama
During October 19–21, 2008, James Taylor performed a series of free concerts in five North Carolina cities in support of Barack Obama's presidential bid.
2010: Taylor Discusses Encounter with Chapman
In 2010, James Taylor recounted his December 7, 1980 encounter with Mark David Chapman to the BBC, detailing Chapman's disturbing behavior just hours before he murdered John Lennon.
2012: Supported Obama reelection campaign
In 2012, James Taylor was active in support of Barack Obama's reelection campaign and opened the 2012 Democratic National Convention.
2017: Cancelled Manila Concert
In 2017, James Taylor cancelled his concert in Manila as a protest to the extrajudicial killings of suspects in the Philippine Drug War.
May 2020: Rescheduled Tour Dates
In May 2020, James Taylor and Jackson Browne rescheduled their 2020 tour dates to 2021 due to the COVID-19 crisis.
2021: Son Tours as Backing Vocalist
As of 2021, Henry Taylor, James Taylor's son, began touring as a backing vocalist with his father.
2021: Rescheduled Tour Dates
In May 2020, James Taylor and Jackson Browne rescheduled their 2020 tour dates to 2021 due to the COVID-19 crisis.
