James Taylor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Taylor
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Taylor in 1977
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James Vernon Taylor
March 12, 1948 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
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| Years active | 1966–present |
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Kathryn Walker
(m. 1985; div. 1995)Caroline Smedvig
(m. 2001) |
| Children | 4, including Sally |
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James Vernon Taylor (born March 12, 1948) is a famous American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He has won six Grammy Awards. In 2000, he was welcomed into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
James Taylor became very popular in 1970 with his song "Fire and Rain". It reached number 3 on the music charts. In 1971, his song "You've Got a Friend", written by Carole King, became a number 1 hit. His 1976 album, Greatest Hits, sold over 11 million copies in the US. This made it one of the best-selling albums ever in the country.
After his 1977 album JT, he kept a large fan base for many years. Every album he released from 1977 to 2007 sold over 1 million copies. He became even more popular in the late 1990s and 2000s. During this time, he released award-winning albums like Hourglass and October Road. In 2015, his album Before This World became his first number-one album in the US.
Taylor is also known for singing other artists' songs, like "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)". He also wrote many popular original songs, such as "Sweet Baby James". He even acted in the 1971 film Two-Lane Blacktop.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
James Vernon Taylor was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 12, 1948. His father, Isaac M. Taylor, was a doctor. His mother, Gertrude, was an aspiring opera singer. James has three siblings who are also musicians: Alex, Kate Taylor, and Livingston Taylor.
In 1951, James and his family moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. His father became a professor at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. James enjoyed growing up in the quiet, beautiful countryside there. He started public school in Chapel Hill.
James began cello lessons as a child. He learned to play the guitar in 1960. His guitar style was influenced by hymns and folk music. He developed a unique finger-picking style. During summer holidays on Martha's Vineyard, he met Danny Kortchmar. Danny was also a young guitarist. They started playing blues and folk music together. Danny noticed James's amazing singing voice. James wrote his first song on guitar when he was 14. By 1963, he and Danny were performing in coffeehouses as "Jamie & Kootch".
In 1961, James went to a boarding school in Massachusetts. He found the high-pressure environment difficult. He returned home to North Carolina for a while. There, he joined his brother Alex's band, The Corsayers. In 1964, they recorded a song that included James's "Cha Cha Blues". James later returned to his boarding school. However, he felt very sad and struggled with his well-being. In late 1965, he sought help at a special hospital in Massachusetts. He stayed there for nine months. James later said this time was "a lifesaver" for him. His brother Livingston and sister Kate also received support there later.
Music Career
Starting Out: 1966–1969
After leaving the hospital, James moved to New York City. He formed a band called the Flying Machine with Danny Kortchmar. They played songs James had written about his experiences. By summer 1966, they performed regularly in Greenwich Village. The band recorded a single, "Night Owl", but it did not become a big hit. After some difficult performances, the Flying Machine broke up. James later said this time taught him a lot about music.
After this, James moved to London in late 1967. He recorded some demo songs. His friend Danny Kortchmar helped him connect with Peter Asher. Peter Asher was in charge of finding new artists for the Beatles' new record label, Apple Records. James gave Peter a demo tape. Paul McCartney and George Harrison of The Beatles heard it. McCartney thought James was "great". James became the first non-British artist to sign with Apple Records. He felt Peter Asher was the right person to guide his career.
James recorded his first album from July to October 1968. The Beatles were also recording their "White Album" at the same studio. Paul McCartney and George Harrison even sang on James's song "Carolina in My Mind". The title of James's song "Something in the Way She Moves" inspired George Harrison's famous song "Something".
During this time, James needed to take a break for his health. Apple Records released his first album, James Taylor, in late 1968. Critics liked it, but it did not sell well because James could not promote it. "Carolina in My Mind" was released as a single but did not chart high.
In July 1969, James performed at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. He also played at the Newport Folk Festival. Shortly after, he broke both hands and feet in a motorcycle accident. This stopped him from playing for several months. While recovering, he continued to write songs. In October 1969, he signed a new deal with Warner Bros. Records.
Becoming a Star: 1970–1972
After recovering, James moved to California. He kept Peter Asher as his manager and producer. In December 1969, he recorded his second album, Sweet Baby James. This album was released in February 1970. It became a huge success for James. The album included the hit single "Fire and Rain". This song was about overcoming personal challenges and losing a friend. Both the album and the single reached number 3 on the charts. Sweet Baby James sold over 3 million copies in the US. It was seen as a folk-rock masterpiece.
In October 1970, James performed at a benefit concert in Vancouver. This concert helped fund Greenpeace's protests against nuclear tests. In February 1971, he appeared on The Johnny Cash Show. He sang "Sweet Baby James" and "Fire and Rain". His growing fame led to a Time magazine cover story about him in March 1971.
His next album, Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon, was released in April 1971. It included his biggest hit single in the US, "You've Got a Friend". This song reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The album itself reached number 2. In early 1972, James won his first Grammy Award for "You've Got a Friend". The album sold 2.5 million copies in the US.
In November 1972, James released his fourth album, One Man Dog. It featured other artists like Linda Ronstadt and Carly Simon. The album did not sell as well as his previous ones. Around the same time, James married fellow singer-songwriter Carly Simon on November 3. Their marriage received a lot of public attention. They had two children, Sally (born 1974) and Ben (born 1977). James and Carly sang together on each other's albums. They had two hit songs as a duo: "Mockingbird" and "Devoted to You".
Continued Success and Greatest Hits: 1973–1976
James took a break in 1973. He returned to the studio in 1974 to record his fifth album, Walking Man. This album did not do well with critics or sales.
However, James's success returned in 1975 with the album Gorilla. It reached number 6 on the charts. It also included one of his biggest hit singles, "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)". This song featured Carly Simon singing backup. It reached number 5 in America and number 1 in Canada. The album also had popular songs like "Mexico" and "Sarah Maria", a song about his daughter.
In 1976, James released In the Pocket. This was his last studio album with Warner Bros. Records. Many friends and fellow musicians appeared on the album, including Art Garfunkel and Stevie Wonder. The album featured the popular song "Shower the People", which became a number 1 hit on the Adult Contemporary chart.
In November 1976, Warner Bros. released Greatest Hits. This album collected his best songs from 1970 to 1976. Over time, it became his best-selling album ever. It sold nearly 20 million copies worldwide.
New Record Label and More Hits: 1977–1981
In 1977, James signed with Columbia Records. He quickly recorded his first album for the label, JT. Released in June, this album received great reviews. It reached number 4 on the Billboard charts and sold over 3 million copies. It is one of James's biggest-selling studio albums. The album included the hit song "Handy Man", which earned James another Grammy Award. Another popular song from the album was "Your Smiling Face".
In 1978, James sang with Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel on the song "Wonderful World". After a break, he released the album Flag in 1979. It included a popular version of "Up on the Roof". James also performed at the No Nukes concert in Madison Square Garden. He sang "Mockingbird" with Carly Simon.
In March 1981, James released the album Dad Loves His Work. This album explored themes about his relationship with his father. It was another successful album, reaching number 10. It also featured his last major hit single, "Her Town Too", a duet with JD Souther.
Overcoming Challenges and New Beginnings: 1981–1996
Carly Simon and James Taylor separated in September 1981 and divorced in 1983. Their breakup was widely known. James faced personal challenges during this time. In 1983, he decided to make a big change in his life. He was inspired by the desire to be a better father to his children, Sally and Ben. He worked hard to overcome his difficulties.
James thought about stopping his music career. However, a performance at the Rock in Rio festival in Brazil in January 1985 changed his mind. He was encouraged by the huge, positive crowd. He felt musically energized by the sounds of Brazilian music. He later said this experience helped him get "back on track". He wrote the song "Only a Dream in Rio" about that night.
His October 1985 album, That's Why I'm Here, marked a new start. His later albums, like Never Die Young (1988) and New Moon Shine (1991), were also successful. New Moon Shine included popular songs like "Copperline". In the late 1980s, James began touring regularly. His concerts feature songs from his whole career. They are known for the great musicianship of his band and backup singers. The 1993 album Live captures these performances. James also appeared on The Simpsons and in the musical Randy Newman's Faust.
Recent Years: 1997–Present
In 1997, James released Hourglass. This album looked back at his past and family. Songs like "Jump Up Behind Me" honored his father. "Enough To Be on Your Way" was inspired by the passing of his brother Alex. Critics loved the album, and it was a commercial success. It reached number 9 on the Billboard 200 chart. Hourglass also won James a Grammy Award for Best Pop Album in 1998.
In 2002, James released October Road. This album showed James in a more peaceful state of mind. It included quiet instrumental parts. The album came out in two versions. One had extra songs, including a duet with Mark Knopfler. In 2002, James also sang "The Boxer" with Alison Krauss at a tribute to Paul Simon. In 2004, he released James Taylor: A Christmas Album.
James is active in supporting environmental and liberal causes. In October 2004, he joined the Vote for Change tour. He played concerts to encourage people to vote. He performed with the Dixie Chicks.
James has performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" at many major sporting events in Boston. These include the World Series and the NBA Finals. In December 2004, he appeared on The West Wing. He sang Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come". In 2006, James performed Randy Newman's song "Our Town" for the Disney film Cars. The song was nominated for an Academy Award.
James's album One Man Band was released in November 2007. It came from a tour where he performed his songs and shared stories about them. He was accompanied only by his pianist, Larry Goldings.
In November 2007, James performed a series of shows at the Troubadour with his original band and Carole King. These shows celebrated the venue's 50th anniversary. In September 2008, he released Covers. This album featured his versions of songs by other artists. In April 2009, he released Other Covers with more songs from those sessions.
Supporting Barack Obama
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In October 2008, James performed free concerts to support Barack Obama's presidential campaign. In January 2009, he sang "Shower the People" at the "We Are One" concert for Obama's inauguration. He also performed on the final episode of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in May 2009.
2009–2011
In September 2009, James appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show. He also had a brief role in the 2009 movie Funny People. In January 2010, he sang the American national anthem at the NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park. In March 2010, he sang the Beatles' "In My Life" at the 82nd Academy Awards.
In March 2010, James began the Troubadour Reunion Tour with Carole King and his original band members. They played shows in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and North America. The tour was very successful, selling over 700,000 tickets.
In September 2011, James performed "You Can Close Your Eyes" at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City. This was for the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. In November 2011, he performed "Fire and Rain" with Taylor Swift at her concert in Madison Square Garden. Taylor Swift was named after him.
2012–Present
James supported Barack Obama's 2012 reelection campaign. He opened the 2012 Democratic National Convention by singing three songs. He also performed "America the Beautiful" at Obama's second inauguration.
On April 24, 2013, James performed at a memorial service for a police officer killed in the Boston Marathon bombing. He was joined by the MIT Symphony Orchestra.
In June 2015, James earned his first number 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart with Before This World. This happened more than 45 years after his album Sweet Baby James first appeared on the charts.
In January 2020, James released his audio memoir, Break Shot: My First 21 Years. His album American Standard was released in February 2020. It debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200. This made James the first artist to have a top 10 album in each of the last six decades. In November 2020, the album was nominated for a Grammy. It won the award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 63rd Grammy Awards.
In August 2022, James performed at Tanglewood to celebrate John Williams' 90th birthday. He also appeared with Carole King in the 2022 documentary Carole King and James Taylor: Just Call Out My Name.
In October 2024, James performed several songs at a rally in Wilmington, North Carolina. This was part of the Kamala Harris 2024 presidential campaign.
Personal Life
James Taylor married singer Carly Simon in November 1972. They divorced in 1983. Their children, Sally and Ben, are also musicians.
James married actress Kathryn Walker in December 1985. They divorced in 1996.
In 1995, James began dating Caroline "Kim" Smedvig. She was the director of public relations for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. They met when he performed with John Williams. They married in Boston on February 18, 2001. Their relationship inspired songs on his 2002 album October Road. They had twin sons, Rufus and Henry, in April 2001. They settled in Lenox, Massachusetts. Their son Henry has toured as a backing vocalist with his father.
Awards and Recognition
Grammy Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated Work | Result |
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| 1971 | Album of the Year | Sweet Baby James | Nominated |
| Best Contemporary Vocal Performance, Male | Nominated | ||
| Best Contemporary Song | "Fire and Rain" | Nominated | |
| Record of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 1972 | Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male | "You've Got a Friend" | Won |
| Record of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 1978 | Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male | "Handy Man" | Won |
| Album of the Year | JT | Nominated | |
| 1980 | Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male | "Up On The Roof" | Nominated |
| 1998 | Best Pop Album | Hourglass | Won |
| 2002 | Best Male Pop Vocal Performance | "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" | Won |
| 2003 | Best Male Pop Vocal Performance | "October Road" | Nominated |
| 2004 | Best Country Collaboration With Vocals | "How's The World Treating You" with Alison Krauss | Won |
| 2008 | Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album | James Taylor At Christmas | Nominated |
| 2009 | Best Pop Vocal Album | Covers | Nominated |
| Best Male Pop Vocal Performance | "Wichita Lineman" | Nominated | |
| 2016 | Best Pop Vocal Album | "Before This World" | Nominated |
| 2021 | Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album | American Standard | Won |
In 2006, James Taylor was honored as the Grammy Award-sponsored MusiCares Person of the Year. Many famous musicians performed his songs to celebrate his influence.
Other Honors
- 1995: Received an honorary doctorate of music from the Berklee College of Music.
- 2000: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
- 2000: Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
- 2003: The Chapel Hill Museum opened an exhibit about James Taylor. A highway bridge near his childhood home was named in his honor.
- 2004: Received the George and Ira Gershwin Award for Lifetime Musical Achievement.
- 2004: Ranked 84th in Rolling Stone's list of "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".
- 2009: Received an honorary doctorate from Williams College.
- 2009: Inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.
- 2015: Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- 2016: Received the Kennedy Center Honors.
- 2022: Received an honorary doctorate of music from the New England Conservatory.
- 2024: Awarded the Tanglewood Medal by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Discography
Studio Albums
- James Taylor (1968)
- Sweet Baby James (1970)
- Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon (1971)
- One Man Dog (1972)
- Walking Man (1974)
- Gorilla (1975)
- In the Pocket (1976)
- JT (1977)
- Flag (1979)
- Dad Loves His Work (1981)
- That's Why I'm Here (1985)
- Never Die Young (1988)
- New Moon Shine (1991)
- Hourglass (1997)
- October Road (2002)
- A Christmas Album (2004)
- James Taylor at Christmas (2006)
- Covers (2008)
- Before This World (2015)
- American Standard (2020)
Images for kids
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James Taylor's signature
See also
In Spanish: James Taylor para niños
