Taylor


According to their bass player/guitarist Rick White, Taylor was a band with a fair bit of talent that was not put to a lot of use. But their relaxed approach didn’t entirely impede them. The calibre of the musicians saw Taylor score a record deal just months after coming together in 1971 and there were successful residencies and university tours before they called it a day in 1973.

Writing their own material, Taylor at the time described their music as “happy rock with a sort of country influence”. Their self-titled solitary album was certainly a product of its time and slots easily alongside other country-rock fare of the time such as Rick Nelson And The Stone Canyon Band’s Garden Party.

Taylor, clockwise from top: Kevin Bayley, Rick White, Keith Norris, Steve McDonald, and Clinton Brown. 
Photo credit: Rick White Collection
Taylor
Photo credit: Rick White Collection
Taylor, 1971.
Photo credit: Rick White Collection
Taylor, Holden amps flyer, late 1972. 
Photo credit: Rick White Collection
Taylor: bio from the Brian Edwards Travelling Roadshow revue, December 1972.
Photo credit: Rick White Collection
Taylor. From left to right: Rick White, Keith Norris (drums), Clinton Brown, Steve McDonald.
Photo credit: Rick White Collection
Rick White in Taylor.
Photo credit: Rick White Collection
Taylor. From left to right: Rick White, Keith Norris, Clinton Brown, Steve McDonald.
Photo credit: Rick White Collection
Taylor, 1973. From left: Keith Norris, Clinton Brown, Rick White, Kevin Bayley, Steve McDonald (front right). 
Photo credit: Rick White Collection
Kevin Bayley, Taylor.
Photo credit: Rick White Collection
Taylor live.
Photo credit: Rick White Collection
The 1972 album by Taylor, designed by Kevin Dunkley. 
Taylor - Simpson's World (Polydor, 1971)
Taylor. Clockwise from top left: Clinton Brown, Kevin Bayley, Rick White, Keith Norris, Steve McDonald. 
Photo credit: Rick White Collection
Taylor in Auckland paper 8 O'Clock, 10 June 1972.
Photo credit: Rick White Collection
Taylor - Hard Life (Polydor, 1971)
Taylor plays Porirua's new discotheque, Hacienda, late 1972. 
Photo credit: Rick White Collection
Taylor article by Louise Warren.
Photo credit: Rick White Collection
Taylor - Holden amps advertisement.
Photo credit: Rick White Collection
Taylor. From left to right: Rick White, Keith Norris, Clinton Brown, Steve McDonald.
Photo credit: Rick White Collection
Taylor briefly called itself Rockinghorse before finding out a UK band was using the name. It would come in handy later. 
Photo credit: Rick White Collection
Brian Edwards Travelling Road Show, a variety revue which toured in summer 1972-73. Among the cast were the band Taylor, Paul Holmes, and Jenny Parkinson. Also involved were Roger Hall, Dave Smith, and Michael Noonan. 
Taylor in Wellington's Sports Post, October 1971.
Photo credit: Rick White Collection
Members:

Rick White - bass, rhythm guitar

Clinton Brown - bass, rhythm guitar

Keith Norris - drums

Kevin Bayley - vocals, lead guitar

Steve McDonald - vocals, keyboards

Labels:

Polydor

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