Greg "Fingers" Taylor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Greg "Fingers" Taylor
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Taylor performing at the 1996 Riverwalk Blues Festival
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | "Fingers", The Harpoon Man |
| Born | June 3, 1952 Wichita, Kansas, U.S. |
| Died | November 23, 2023 (aged 71) |
| Genres | Rock and roll, blues, country, Gulf and Western |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, harmonica, keyboards |
| Years active | 1969–2014 |
Greg "Fingers" Taylor (born June 3, 1952 – died November 23, 2023) was an American musician. He was best known for playing the harmonica. Greg Taylor played with Jimmy Buffett's famous band, the Coral Reefer Band.
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A Musician's Journey
Greg Taylor was born in Wichita, Kansas, on June 3, 1952. He grew up there and went to high school in his hometown.
Meeting Jimmy Buffett
Taylor met Jimmy Buffett in 1970. At that time, Taylor was a student at The University of Southern Mississippi. Soon after they met, Taylor joined a band called Larry Raspberry and The Highsteppers.
In 1974, Jimmy Buffett asked Taylor to join his new band. This band was the first official Coral Reefer Band. Taylor played with them for many years, until 2000.
How He Got His Nickname
Greg Taylor got his nickname "Fingers" in 1969. His friend, John "Johnny Rock" Buffaloe, gave him the name. At that time, Taylor played keyboards for a band called The Buttermilk Blues Band. Because he was so good with his fingers on the keys, the name stuck! Later, he also started playing the harmonica in this band.
His Own Music
Greg "Fingers" Taylor also released his own music. He put out five studio albums. These included Harpoon Man (1984) and Hi Fi Baby (2003). He also released two compilation albums, which are collections of his best songs.
Songs for Jimmy Buffett
Taylor wrote some songs that Jimmy Buffett recorded. One song, "Big Rig," was on Buffett's 1976 album, Havana Daydreamin'. Taylor and Buffett also wrote "Miss You So Badly" together. This song appeared on Buffett's 1977 album, Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes.
Another song, "Dixie Diner," was originally by Larry Raspberry and The Highsteppers. Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band included it on their live album in 1978. Taylor and Buffett also worked together on "Some White People (Can Dance)." This song was a favorite at Taylor's concerts.
Playing with Other Artists
From 2000 to 2005, Taylor toured and recorded with Don Middlebrook. Don Middlebrook is a trop rock singer-songwriter. They made four albums together. One of Taylor's best performances was on the song "Like a River She Rolls."
In 1998, Taylor also played with A1A. This band is a tribute show to Jimmy Buffett. He performed with them many times.
After 2006, Taylor often toured with singer-songwriter K.D. Moore. He also played some shows with Jim Asbell and Hugo Duarte. Taylor's harmonica playing can be heard on K.D. Moore's albums.
Back on Stage with Buffett
On June 8, 2006, Greg Taylor joined Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band on stage. This happened at the Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was a special moment for fans.
His Family and Legacy
Greg Taylor had two children, Steven and Hunter. Steven is a blues guitarist, just like his father. He is carrying on his dad's musical tradition. Hunter works as an audio/visual technician.
Greg Taylor passed away on November 23, 2023, at the age of 71. He had been dealing with an illness called Alzheimer's disease.
Discography
- Harpoon Man (1984)
- Chest Pains (1989)
- New Fingerprints (1991)
- Old Rock 'n' Roller (1996)
- Greatest Hits (1998)
- Back to the Blues (2000)
- Hi Fi Baby (2003)
