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 celebrated American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He has won six Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, solidifying his legacy as a prominent 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 studied singing and aspired to be an opera singer.

1946: Marriage of Isaac Taylor and Gertrude Woodard

In 1946, Isaac M. Taylor and Gertrude Woodard married. Gertrude had studied singing and aspired to be an opera singer before their marriage.

1947: Birth of Alex Taylor

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

March 12, 1948: James Taylor Born

On March 12, 1948, James Vernon Taylor was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He would later become a successful singer-songwriter and guitarist.

1949: Birth of Kate Taylor

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

1950: Birth of Livingston Taylor

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

1951: Family Moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina

In 1951, James Taylor and his family moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, when his father, Isaac, 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. He was also a musician before eventually operating a bed-and-breakfast.

1953: Summers on Martha's Vineyard Began

Beginning in 1953, the Taylor family 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 at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland or as part of Operation Deep Freeze in Antarctica.

1956: Isaac Taylor's Military Service in Antarctica

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

1960: James Taylor Learned Guitar

In 1960, James Taylor began learning to play the guitar, having previously taken cello lessons as a child in North Carolina.

1961: Attended Milton Academy

In 1961, James Taylor began attending Milton Academy, a preparatory boarding school in Massachusetts.

1965: Committed to McLean Psychiatric Hospital

In late 1965, James Taylor committed himself to McLean, a psychiatric hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts, where he was treated for depression.

1966: Earned High School Diploma and Psychological Rejection

In 1966, James Taylor earned a high school diploma from the Arlington School, associated with McLean Hospital. He also received a psychological rejection from the Selective Service System.

1966: Formation of the Flying Machine

In 1966, James Taylor, after attending Elon University for a semester, moved to New York City to form a band called the Flying Machine, with Joel O'Brien and Zachary Wiesner. They played songs Taylor had written at McLean.

1967: Moved to London

In late 1967, James Taylor moved to London, funded by a family inheritance, to pursue a solo career.

1969: UK band with same name emerges

In 1969, a UK band with the same name, Flying Machine, emerged with the hit song "Smile a Little Smile for Me".

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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 was 29.

1973: Taylor Enjoys New Life

James Taylor spent most of 1973 enjoying his new life as a married man with Carly Simon, taking a break from recording.

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

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

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

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

December 7, 1980: Encounter with Mark David Chapman

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

September 1981: Separation from Carly Simon

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

September 1983: Overcoming Heroin Addiction

Starting in September 1983, James Taylor overcame his heroin addiction after four months of discontinuing methadone, spurred by personal losses and a desire to be a better father.

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 performed at the Rock in Rio festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The experience reinvigorated him after a period of personal struggles.

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.

1989: Hugh Taylor Operates The Outermost Inn

Since 1989, Hugh Taylor, James Taylor's youngest brother, has operated The Outermost Inn, a bed-and-breakfast in Aquinnah, Massachusetts, with his wife after leaving the music industry.

1993: Death of Alex Taylor

In 1993, Alex Taylor, James Taylor's older brother and a fellow musician, passed away.

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.

1995: Taylor reflects on Rio concert

In 1995, James Taylor reflected on his 1985 performance at Rock in Rio, describing it as a turning point in his life after battling addiction and a dissolved marriage.