Alvin Taylor

Alvin Taylor
Genres Rock
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Drums
Years active 1970s - present
Labels Capitol Records
Associated acts Elton John, George Harrison, Eric Burdon, Sly & the Family Stone, Bill Withers, Bob Welch

Alvin Taylor (born March 26, 1953) is an American drummer, producer and musical director, who is best known for his work with Elton John, Eric Burdon, George Harrison, Billy Preston and Bob Welch.

Early life and career

Alvin Taylor started playing drums at the age of 5. He played in various local bands and began his professional career at the age of 14, when he started touring with Little Richard. As part of Richard's band, Taylor played with Jimi Hendrix, Billy Preston and opened a show Elvis Presley. He went on to play with PG&E on their number one record, Are You Ready. He turned down Jerry Goldstein's offer to play in the famous funk band War, but joined Eric Burdon's band after Burdon left War.

The Eric Burdon Band released a hard rock-packed album called Sun Secrets, which shows Taylor on the cover. Taylor was also featured on their unreleased album Mirage (released in 2008), Don Kirshner's Rock Concert (on February 9, 1974), and is mentioned in Burdon's 2001 book Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood.

Taylor was on the first ever airing of Saturday Night Live on October 11, 1975. Soon after, Taylor was asked by ex-Beatles guitarist George Harrison to both live in his castle and record his album Thirty Three & 1/3 (1976). He played on two albums by Billy Preston, Billy Preston (1976) and A Whole New Thing (1977). He then joined Bob Welch's band and recorded the album French Kiss (1977), which featured the hit single "Ebony Eyes".[1]

During the following years he appeared on albums by artists such as Elton John, Aalon, Jesse Colin Young, Les McCann, Lauren Wood, Gil-Scott Heron, The Originals, Syreeta, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Keni Burke, Stargard, Sammy Hagar, Billy Thorpe, America, Cher, Natalie Cole, Sly & the Family Stone, Bill Withers and on two more records by Bob Welch. On Danny O'Keefe's record American Roulette (1977) he appeared besides Reggie McBride, Mike Melvoin and David Lindley.

In 1979, he appeared on Sammy Hagar's single (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay, featuring Leland Sklar, Barry Goudreau and Steve Cropper, who originally played on the Otis Redding version. Later that year, he appeared on Cher's album Prisoner beside Toto members Steve Lukather, Jeff Porcaro, David Hungate, David Paich and many others.

In 1980 he appeared once again with Lukather and Paich on Elton John's album 21 at 33. Other notable musicians include Bill Champlin, Chuck Findley and Lenny Castro. Taylor then appeared on Bob Welch's album Man Overboard. In 1981, He appeared on the album 1234 by The Rolling Stones member Ron Wood.[2]

Since 2011 he is working with Ukulele Ray and regularly plays at NAMM. Since 2013 he tours with The Gypsie Experience. Correct spelling appears to be "Gypsy Experience"

The Gypsy Experience / T.G.E. feat. WILLIE BASSE - YouTube Apr 12, 2012 - 8 min - Uploaded by WillieBasse Willie Basse, Alvin Taylor & JP Cervoni create The Gypsy Experience. What an awesome experience. We came all... - Alvin Taylor Music

We came all the way from The Gypsy Experience

to The Gypsy Express. After a few personnel changes and a group name ... Desert C.A.M. Studios to Co-Sponsor... - Coachella Valley Music Show Experience Live w/SCOTT PAGE, Alvin Taylor, Willie Basse, JP Cervoni, ..gypsy experience - Kashmir Entertainment Gypsy Experience. Willie Basse. vocals & bass guitar. Basse worked and ... 

Alvin Taylor. drums. THE GYPSY EXPERIENCE To Play Indianapolis This Saturday.html ...

TGE / The Gypsy Experience featuring Willie Basse (Buddy Miles, Black Sheep), JP Cervoni (Buddy Miles), Alvin Taylor (Jimi Hendrix, George ... Willie Basse Forms Gypsy Experience - Pitriff Basse forms new band Gypsy Experience. ... "So I recruited ERIC BURDON BAND drummer Alvin Taylor, who actually played with JIMI HENDRIX

Discography

Bill Withers

Billy Preston

Bob Welch

Elton John

Eric Burdon

Sly & the Family Stone

Other Credits

References

  1. ↑ Taylor, Alvin. "ALLMUSIC". Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  2. ↑ Taylor, Alvin. "Alvin Taylor Discography". Discogs. Retrieved 27 March 2014.

External links

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