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
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| Children | 4, including Sally Taylor |
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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 added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Taylor became very popular in 1970 with his song "Fire and Rain." In 1971, his song "You've Got a Friend," written by Carole King, became a number-one hit. His 1976 album, Greatest Hits, sold over 11 million copies in the U.S. This makes it one of the best-selling albums ever.
After his 1977 album JT, he kept a large fan base for decades. Many of his albums sold over 1 million copies. He became even more popular in the late 1990s and 2000s. During this time, he recorded award-winning albums like Hourglass and October Road. In 2015, his album Before This World was his first to reach number one in the U.S.
Taylor is also known for singing other artists' songs. These include "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" and "Handy Man." He also wrote famous songs like "Sweet Baby James." In 1971, he acted in the film Two-Lane Blacktop.
Contents
James Taylor's Early Life and Music Beginnings
Growing Up in North Carolina
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. His youngest brother, Hugh, also played music but later ran a bed-and-breakfast.
In 1951, James's family moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. His father became a professor at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. James described Chapel Hill as a quiet and beautiful place. He felt that the landscape and climate shaped his early life.
Learning Music and Finding His Style
James started taking cello lessons as a child. In 1960, he began learning the guitar. His guitar playing style was influenced by hymns and carols. He also learned from the music of Woody Guthrie. He developed a unique finger-picking style.
During summer holidays, he met Danny Kortchmar on Martha's Vineyard. Danny was also a young guitarist. They started playing blues and folk music together. Danny noticed James's amazing singing voice. By 1963, they performed in coffeehouses as "Jamie & Kootch."
Challenges and New Paths
In 1961, James attended Milton Academy, a boarding school. He found the school's 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 James wrote called "Cha Cha Blues."
James went back to Milton for his last year of high school. But he felt very sad and struggled. In late 1965, he went to McLean Hospital, a special hospital in Massachusetts. He stayed there for nine months. James later said this time was "a lifesaver." It gave him a sense of routine and structure. He earned his high school diploma from the hospital's school in 1966. His brother Livingston and sister Kate also stayed there later. James believes his struggles were a part of who he is.
James Taylor's Music Career
1966–1969: Starting Out in Music
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 time in the hospital. The band performed at the Night Owl Cafe in Greenwich Village.
In 1966, the Flying Machine released a single called "Night Owl." It got some radio play but did not become a big hit. The band eventually broke up. Their recordings were later released in 1971 as James Taylor and the Original Flying Machine.
James then decided to try being a solo artist. In 1967, he moved to London. His friend Danny Kortchmar helped him meet Peter Asher. Peter was in charge of finding new artists for Apple Records, The Beatles' new record label. James played some of his songs for Peter, including "Something in the Way She Moves."
Paul McCartney and George Harrison of The Beatles heard James's music. McCartney thought James was "great." James became the first non-British artist to sign with Apple Records. He said Peter Asher "opened the door" to his music career.
James recorded his first album, James Taylor, in 1968. The Beatles were recording their "White Album" at the same studio. McCartney and Harrison even sang on James's song "Carolina in My Mind." Critics liked the album. But it did not sell well because James was in the hospital and could not promote it.
In 1969, James performed at the Newport Folk Festival. Shortly after, he broke both hands and feet in a motorcycle accident. He could not play for several months. But he kept writing songs. In October 1969, he signed a new deal with Warner Bros. Records.
1970–1972: Becoming a Star
After recovering, James moved to California. He kept Peter Asher as his manager and producer. In December 1969, he recorded his second album. It was called Sweet Baby James. This album became a huge success for him. It sold over 1.5 million copies in its first year.
Sweet Baby James was praised as a folk-rock masterpiece. It showed off James's talent to a wider audience. The album was nominated for several Grammy Awards. Rolling Stone magazine later listed it among the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time."
In October 1970, James performed at a 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 popularity grew, and he was featured on the cover of Time magazine in March 1971. The magazine called him "the face of new rock."
In April 1971, James released his next album, Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon. It also received great reviews. This album included his biggest hit single in the U.S., "You've Got a Friend." This song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In early 1972, James won his first Grammy Award for "You've Got a Friend." The album sold 2.5 million copies in the United States.
In November 1972, James released his fourth album, One Man Dog. It was recorded mostly at his home studio. The album featured other famous musicians like Linda Ronstadt and Carole King. It did not sell as well as his previous albums.
Around the same time, James married singer-songwriter Carly Simon on November 3. Their marriage received a lot of public attention. They had two children, Sally and Ben, who also became musicians. James and Carly sang together on some hit songs, like "Mockingbird."
1973–1976: More Hits and Greatest Hits
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 music became popular again in 1975. His album Gorilla reached number 6 on the charts. It included a big hit single, "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)." This song reached number 5 in America and number 1 in Canada. His wife Carly sang backup vocals on the song. The album also featured "Mexico" and a song about his daughter, "Sarah Maria."
In 1976, James released In the Pocket. This was his last studio album with Warner Bros. Records. Many famous friends joined him on this album, including Art Garfunkel and Stevie Wonder. The album included the popular song "Shower the People," which reached number 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
After his contract with Warner ended, the label released Greatest Hits in November. This album featured his best songs from 1970 to 1976. It became his best-selling album ever, selling nearly 20 million copies worldwide.
1977–1981: Moving to Columbia Records
In 1977, James signed with Columbia Records. He quickly recorded his first album for the new label, JT. This album received his best reviews since Sweet Baby James. It was nominated for a Grammy for Album of the Year. JT reached number 4 on the charts and sold over 3 million copies in the U.S.
The album featured the hit song "Handy Man," which reached number 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. It also 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 "Wonderful World." This song reached the Top 20 in the U.S.
In 1979, James released the album Flag. It included a popular version of "Up on the Roof." James also performed at the No Nukes concert. He sang "Mockingbird" with his wife Carly.
In March 1981, James released Dad Loves His Work. This album explored his relationship with his father. It also discussed how he and Carly Simon influenced each other. The album was another success. It included his last big hit single, "Her Town Too," a duet with J. D. Souther.
1981–1996: Changes and New Music
Carly Simon and James Taylor separated in September 1981. Their divorce was finalized in 1983.
James considered stopping his music career. But a concert in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1985 changed his mind. He was inspired by the positive reaction from the large crowd. He also loved the sounds of Brazilian music.
He wrote the song "Only a Dream in Rio" about that night. His October 1985 album, That's Why I'm Here, included this song. This album began a series of quality recordings. It featured fewer cover songs, except for Buddy Holly's "Everyday."
His next albums were also successful. In 1988, he released Never Die Young. In 1991, the album New Moon Shine included popular songs like "Copperline."
In the late 1980s, James began touring regularly. His concerts featured songs from his whole career. They also highlighted the talent of his band and backup singers. His 1993 album Live captured these performances. James also made a guest voice appearance on The Simpsons TV show.
1997–Present: Recent Projects and Awards
1997–2008
In 1997, James released Hourglass. This album was very personal. It focused on his past and family. Songs like "Jump Up Behind Me" honored his father. "Enough To Be on Your Way" was inspired by his brother Alex's death. The album also reflected his divorce from Kathryn Walker.
Critics loved Hourglass, and it was a commercial success. It reached number 9 on the Billboard 200 chart. This was his first Top 10 album in 16 years. The song "Little More Time With You" was a big hit on adult contemporary radio. James won a Grammy for Best Pop Album in 1998 for Hourglass.
In 2002, James released October Road. This album showed James in a more peaceful mood. It included quiet instrumental parts. The album came in two versions. One had extra songs, including a duet with Mark Knopfler.
In 2004, James released James Taylor: A Christmas Album. He also joined the Vote for Change tour. He played concerts in U.S. states to encourage people to vote. He performed with the Dixie Chicks.
James has performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" at many sports events. These include the World Series and the NBA Finals. In 2004, he appeared on The West Wing TV show. He sang "A Change Is Gonna Come."
In 2006, MusiCares honored James Taylor. Many famous musicians performed his songs to celebrate him. These artists included Carole King, Bruce Springsteen, and Sting.
In 2006, James sang "Our Town" for the Disney movie Cars. The song was nominated for an Academy Award.
James's album One Man Band was released in 2007. It came from a tour where he performed with just his pianist. The album won an award for its sound quality.
In November 2007, James performed six shows at the Troubadour club. He was joined by his original band and Carole King. These shows celebrated the venue's 50th anniversary.
In 2008, James released Covers. This album featured his versions of other artists' songs. It showed that James is a very versatile singer. An additional album, Other Covers, came out in 2009.
Barack Obama's Campaigns
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In October 2008, James performed free concerts in North Carolina. He supported Barack Obama's presidential campaign. In January 2009, he sang at the Obama Inaugural Celebration. He performed "Shower the People" with John Legend.
James also supported Obama's 2012 reelection campaign. He opened the 2012 Democratic National Convention by singing three songs. He performed "America the Beautiful" at Obama's second inauguration.
2009–Present
In 2009, James appeared in the movie Funny People. He sang "Carolina in My Mind" in the film. In 2010, he sang the American national anthem at the NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park.
In March 2010, James began the Troubadour Reunion Tour with Carole King. They toured Australia, Japan, and North America. The tour was very successful. It sold over 700,000 tickets and made over $59 million.
On September 11, 2011, James performed "You Can Close Your Eyes" in New York City. This was for the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. In November 2011, he sang "Fire and Rain" with Taylor Swift at her concert. Swift was named after him.
In April 2013, James performed at a memorial service for a police officer. The officer was killed during the Boston Marathon bombing. James sang with the MIT Symphony Orchestra.
In September 2013, he performed with the Utah Symphony and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He called the choir "a national treasure."
In 2015, James earned his first number-one album on the Billboard 200 chart. This was with his album Before This World. It debuted at the top, 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 2021, the album won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.
In August 2022, James performed at Tanglewood to celebrate John Williams' 90th birthday. He sang "Getting to Know You" and "Sweet Baby John." In October 2024, James performed at a rally for Kamala Harris's presidential campaign.
James Taylor's Family Life
James Taylor married singer Carly Simon in November 1972. They divorced in 1983. Their children, Sally and Ben, are both musicians.
James married actress Kathryn Walker in December 1985. They later divorced in 1995.
In 1995, James started dating Caroline "Kim" Smedvig. She worked for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. They met when he performed with the Boston Pops Orchestra. They married in February 2001. Their relationship inspired songs on his 2002 album October Road.
James and Kim had twin sons, Rufus and Henry, in April 2001. They live in Lenox, Massachusetts. Their son Henry has toured with his father as a backing singer.
Awards and Recognition for James Taylor
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 named the Grammy Award-sponsored MusiCares Person of the Year. Many musicians performed his songs to honor him. These included Carole King, Bruce Springsteen, and Sting.
Other Special Honors
- 1995: Received an honorary music degree from 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 music degree 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 music degree from the New England Conservatory.
- 2024: Awarded the Tanglewood Medal by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
James Taylor's Music Albums
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
- Charles H. Taylor (publisher)
- John I. Taylor
