History of James Taylor in Timeline
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.
6 hours ago : James Taylor delights St. Paul crowd with heartwarming songs and engaging stage presence.
James Taylor's concert at St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center received rave reviews. He charmed the audience with heartwarming songs, engaging stories, and endearing dad jokes, creating a memorable experience.
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.
1963: Performing as "Jamie & Kootch"
By the summer of 1963, James Taylor and Danny Kortchmar were playing coffeehouses around Martha's Vineyard, billed as "Jamie & Kootch".
1964: Isaac Taylor Became Dean of UNC School of Medicine
From 1964 to 1971, Isaac Taylor, James Taylor's father, rose to become the dean of the UNC School of Medicine.
1964: Single Cut with The Corsairs
In 1964, James Taylor's band, The Corsairs (later The Fabulous Corsairs), cut a single in Raleigh featuring James's song "Cha Cha Blues" on the B-side.
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.
1966: Recording and Release of "Night Owl" Single
In late 1966, The Flying Machine recorded and released the single "Night Owl" backed with "Brighten Your Night with My Day", which received some radio airplay but only charted at No. 102 nationally.
1967: Moved to London
In late 1967, James Taylor moved to London, funded by a family inheritance, to pursue a solo career.
October 1968: Debut Album Recording
From July to October 1968, James Taylor recorded his debut album at Trident Studios in London, during the same time the Beatles were recording The White Album. Paul McCartney and George Harrison guested on "Carolina in My Mind".
December 1968: James Taylor Album Release in the UK
In December 1968, James Taylor's debut album, James Taylor, was released in the UK on Apple Records. Critical reception was positive but sales were poor.
February 1969: James Taylor Album Release in the US
In February 1969, James Taylor's debut album, James Taylor, was released in the US on Apple Records. Commercial potential suffered from Taylor's inability to promote it due to hospitalization.
July 1969: Troubadour Headlining and Newport Folk Festival Performance
In July 1969, James Taylor headlined a six-night stand at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. On July 20, he performed at the Newport Folk Festival.
October 1969: Signed with Warner Bros. Records
In October 1969, James Taylor signed a new deal with Warner Bros. Records after recovering from a motorcycle accident.
December 1969: Recording sessions for Sweet Baby James
In December 1969, James Taylor held the recording sessions for his second album, Sweet Baby James, in California with Asher as his manager and record producer.
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".
February 1970: Release of Sweet Baby James
In February 1970, James Taylor's second album, Sweet Baby James, was released. It became a critical and popular breakthrough, boosted by the single "Fire and Rain".
October 1970: Performance at Vancouver 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 nuclear weapons tests.
1970: Greatest Hits Released
Between 1970 and 1976, James Taylor released Greatest Hits, comprising most of his best work during that period, which later became his best-selling album.
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: Sessions for Next Album Began
In January 1971, James Taylor began recording sessions for his next album, following the success of Sweet Baby James.
February 17, 1971: Appearance on The Johnny Cash Show
On February 17, 1971, James Taylor appeared on The Johnny Cash Show, performing "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 as "the face of new rock," highlighting his career success and appeal.
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 gained critical acclaim and featured the hit single "You've Got a Friend".
1971: Release of James Taylor and the Original Flying Machine
Following James Taylor's success as a solo artist, the Flying Machine's recordings were released in 1971 as James Taylor and the Original Flying Machine.
1971: Isaac Taylor's Tenure as Dean Ends
In 1971, Isaac Taylor's tenure as dean of the UNC School of Medicine ended, after holding the position from 1964.
1971: First No. 1 Hit with "You've Got a Friend"
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.
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.
November 1972: Release of One Man Dog and Marriage to Carly Simon
In November 1972, James Taylor released his fourth album, One Man Dog, and married fellow singer-songwriter Carly Simon on November 3 in Manhattan.
1972: Grammy Award for You've Got a Friend
In early 1972, James Taylor won his first Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male, for "You've Got a Friend".
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 1974: Recording sessions for Walking Man
In January 1974, James Taylor began recording sessions for his fifth album, Walking Man.
1975: Release of Gorilla
In 1975, James Taylor's album Gorilla was released, reaching No. 6 and featuring the hit single "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)".
1976: Greatest Hits Released
Between 1970 and 1976, James Taylor released Greatest Hits, comprising most of his best work during that period, which later became his best-selling album.
1976: Release of In the Pocket
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, having sold 11 million copies in the US, making it one of the best-selling albums in US history.
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.
August 11, 1977: Rolling Stone Review of JT
On August 11, 1977, Rolling Stone published a favorable review of James Taylor's album JT, praising its variety and healthiness.
1977: Release of Album JT
Following the release of his album JT in 1977, James Taylor retained a large audience. Every album released from 1977 to 2007 sold over 1 million copies.
1978: Grammy Nomination for JT
In 1978, James Taylor's album JT received a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year, and he won a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "Handy Man."
1978: Guest appearance on Wonderful World
In early 1978, James Taylor guested with Paul Simon on Art Garfunkel's recording of Sam Cooke's "Wonderful World", which achieved Top 20 success in the U.S.
1979: Release of Flag and No Nukes Concert
In the summer of 1979, James Taylor released the Platinum album Flag and participated in the No Nukes concert, performing "Mockingbird" with Carly Simon.
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.
March 1981: Release of Dad Loves His Work
In March 1981, James Taylor released the album Dad Loves His Work, exploring themes related to family and relationships, and featuring the hit single "Her Town Too".
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.
October 1985: Release of That's Why I'm Here
In October 1985, James Taylor released the album That's Why I'm Here, which showcased a more consistent level of quality and fewer covers compared to his previous records.
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.
1996: Divorce from Kathryn Walker
In 1996, James Taylor and Kathryn Walker divorced.
2000: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 2000, James Taylor, a six-time Grammy Award winner, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognizing his significant contributions to music.
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
In April 2001, James Taylor and Caroline Smedvig welcomed their twin sons Rufus and Henry.
2002: Release of album October Road
In 2002, James Taylor released the album "October Road", with parts of his relationship with Caroline Smedvig worked into the songs "On the 4th of July" and "Caroline I See You".
2003: Sweet Baby James Listed on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums
In 2003, Sweet Baby James by James Taylor was listed at No. 103 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, cementing its legacy as an iconic album.
2004: Fire and Rain Listed on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs
In 2004, "Fire and Rain" by James Taylor was listed at No. 227 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, recognizing its impact and significance.
2006: MusiCares Person of the Year
In 2006, James Taylor was the Grammy Award-sponsored MusiCares Person of the Year. At a black tie ceremony held in Los Angeles, musicians paid tribute to Taylor by performing his songs.
2007: Continued Album Success
Every album James Taylor released from 1977 to 2007 sold over 1 million copies, demonstrating his sustained popularity.
2008: Grammy Nomination
James Taylor was nominated for a Grammy in 2008 in the same category for "James Taylor at Christmas".
2009: Release of Amchitka, The 1970 Concert That Launched Greenpeace
In 2009, the performance from October 1970 was released in album format as Amchitka, The 1970 Concert That Launched Greenpeace, documenting the benefit concert supporting Greenpeace's protests.
2010: Taylor recounts encounter with Chapman
In 2010, James Taylor recounted his encounter with Mark David Chapman on December 7, 1980, to the BBC, describing the unsettling experience.
2015: Death of Gertrude Woodard
In 2015, Gertrude (née Woodard), James Taylor's mother, passed away. She was born in 1921 and had studied singing before marrying Isaac Taylor.
2015: First Number-One Album in the US with Before This World
In 2015, James Taylor achieved his first number-one album in the United States with Before This World.
2015: Before This World Reaches No. 1
In 2015, James Taylor's album Before This World reached No. 1 on the album charts, marking his highest position ever, superseding Taylor Swift.
2017: Concert cancellation in Manila
In 2017, James Taylor cancelled his concert in Manila as a protest against the extrajudicial killings of suspects in the Philippine Drug War.
January 2020: Release of audio memoir
In January 2020, James Taylor released his audio memoir "Break Shot: My First 21 Years" on Audible.
February 28, 2020: Release of "American Standard"
On February 28, 2020, James Taylor released his album "American Standard".
May 2020: Tour dates rescheduled
In May 2020, James Taylor and Jackson Browne rescheduled their 2020 tour dates to 2021 due to the COVID-19 crisis.
November 24, 2020: "American Standard" nominated for Grammy
On November 24, 2020, James Taylor's album "American Standard" was nominated for a Grammy in the category of "Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album".
2021: Son 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 dates
In May 2020, James Taylor and Jackson Browne rescheduled their 2020 tour dates to 2021 due to the COVID-19 crisis.
August 20, 2022: Performance at Tanglewood
On August 20, 2022, James Taylor performed at Tanglewood in celebration of John Williams' 90th birthday, where he sang "Getting to Know You", "Sweet Baby John" and "Your Smiling Face".
October 24, 2024: Performance at Tim Walz rally
On October 24, 2024, James Taylor performed multiple songs, including "America the Beautiful", "Sweet Baby James", and "You've Got a Friend" at a rally held by Tim Walz in Wilmington, North Carolina as part of the Kamala Harris 2024 presidential campaign.
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