John Taylor (bass guitarist) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Taylor
Taylor performing at the O2 Arena in 2023
Background information
Birth name	Nigel John Taylor
Also known as	J.T., Tigger (1980s nickname)
Born	(1960-06-20) 20 June 1960 (age 65) Solihull, Warwickshire, England
Origin	Birmingham, England
Genres	New wave new romantic pop rock hard rock heavy metal
Occupation(s)	Bassist
Years active	1978–present

Nigel John Taylor (born 20 June 1960) is a British musician. He is best known as the bass guitarist for the new wave band Duran Duran. He was one of the founding members of the group. Duran Duran became one of the most popular bands in the 1980s. This was partly because their music videos were played a lot on MTV when it first started.

John Taylor played with Duran Duran from its start in 1978 until 1997. He then left to work on solo music and films. Over the next four years, he released many solo albums and video projects. He also had a main role in the movie Sugar Town and appeared in other films. In 2001, he rejoined Duran Duran for a reunion with the original members. He has been with the band ever since. Taylor was also part of two other famous bands called supergroups: The Power Station and Neurotic Outsiders.

Early Life and Music Discovery

John Taylor was born in Solihull, England, in 1960. He grew up in a nearby town called Hollywood. As a child, he went to Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic school and Abbey High School. He wore glasses and loved James Bond movies. He also enjoyed playing wargaming with model soldiers.

When he was a teenager, he found his love for music. His favorite band was Roxy Music. Soon, he started collecting records and taught himself to play the piano. His very first band was called Shock Treatment.

Career Highlights

Starting Duran Duran and The Power Station (1978–1997)

In 1978, John Taylor and his school friend Nick Rhodes started Duran Duran. They formed the band while studying at Birmingham Polytechnic. John Taylor used to play guitar when the band first started. But he switched to bass guitar after hearing the funky music of Chic. He enjoyed playing in the rhythm section with Duran Duran's new drummer, Roger Taylor.

John Taylor has often said that Chic's Bernard Edwards and the Clash's Paul Simonon were his biggest influences. He also looked up to Paul McCartney and James Jamerson. Duran Duran released their first album in 1981. They quickly became famous all over the world in the early 1980s.

In 1985, Duran Duran recorded the theme song for the James Bond movie A View to a Kill. After this, the band members worked on different projects. John Taylor and guitarist Andy Taylor formed a new band called The Power Station. They teamed up with former Chic drummer Tony Thompson and singer Robert Palmer. They released one album, The Power Station. This album had hit songs like "Some Like It Hot" and "Bang a Gong (Get It On)".

Taylor in 1985

That same year, John Taylor also released his first solo song. It was called "I Do What I Do..." for the movie 9½ Weeks. He also wrote some music for the movie's score.

When Andy and Roger Taylor left Duran Duran, the three remaining members continued. They released the album Notorious in 1986. They kept making music and touring through the 1990s with new guitarist Warren Cuccurullo.

On December 24, 1991, John Taylor married Amanda de Cadenet. They had a daughter named Atlanta. He moved to Los Angeles. He and Amanda later separated in May 1995.

After the album Thank You in 1995, Duran Duran worked on their next album, Medazzaland. At the same time, Taylor also played with another band called Neurotic Outsiders. He recorded and toured with them from late 1995 to early 1996.

Solo Music and Acting (1997–2001)

In January 1997, John Taylor announced he was leaving Duran Duran.

During 1997 and 1998, Taylor formed a band called "John Taylor Terroristen." They played many shows in California and toured the United States. They released a live album and video. After the events of 9/11, Taylor decided he would no longer use the name "Terroristen."

Taylor also started acting. He had a main role in the independent film Sugar Town in 1998. He also appeared in small roles in other movies and TV shows.

In 1999, Taylor released two albums of older music. One was called Résumé, which had music he worked on for the 9½ Weeks movie. The other was Meltdown, a collection of songs he recorded in 1992.

Later in 1999, Taylor signed a record deal in Japan. He released an album called John Taylor, also known as The Japan Album. He continued to record and in 2001, he released Techno For Two. This album had personal songs, including the hit "6,000 Miles." As talks began for a Duran Duran reunion, Taylor created a collection called Retreat into Art. His last solo release was MetaFour in 2002.

In October 2012, Taylor published his autobiography called In the Pleasure Groove: Love, Death and Duran Duran. In 2013, he received an award for his work from the Writers in Treatment organization.

Duran Duran Reunion (2001–Present)

Taylor performing in 2015

In 2000, Simon Le Bon, the singer for Duran Duran, asked John Taylor about a possible reunion. Taylor was excited about the idea, as long as the other original members, Roger and Andy Taylor, also wanted to rejoin. They all agreed, and John Taylor showed his commitment by getting a large Duran Duran tattoo.

After a very successful tour in Japan in 2003, the reunited band signed with Epic Records. They released the album Astronaut in October 2004. They toured for most of 2005. Guitarist Andy Taylor left the band again in October 2006. The band then worked with producer Timbaland. Their album, Red Carpet Massacre, came out in November 2007. To celebrate, the band performed the entire album on Broadway in New York City. They then went on a world tour in 2008.

In December 2010, the band released their 13th studio album, All You Need Is Now. In February 2013, John Taylor was ranked 29th in MusicRadar's poll of the greatest bassists. In December 2021, Bass Player magazine gave Taylor a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Other Appearances

John Taylor's band Neurotic Outsiders has played a few live shows since 1999.

Taylor appeared in a TV show pilot called Timeslip in 1985. He also made a guest appearance in the 1985 Miami Vice episode "Whatever Works." In this episode, he played with The Power Station. John was the only band member who had speaking lines. Taylor also made small appearances in movies like The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas and A Diva's Christmas Carol. He also appeared on the BBC Two comedy show Never Mind the Buzzcocks in 2001.

In 2010, he played bass on a song called "Tigress Ritual" for the band Swahili Blonde. In 2020, he was interviewed for the documentary King Rocker. This film was about the early punk music scene in Birmingham and his first band, Shock Treatment.

Personal Life

John Taylor married Amanda De Cadenet on December 24, 1991. They had one daughter, Atlanta Noo. They separated in May 1995.

John met his second wife, Gela Nash, in 1996. She is a co-founder of the fashion brand Juicy Couture. They married in Las Vegas on March 27, 1999.

Taylor and Nash-Taylor mainly live in Los Angeles. They also spend several weeks a year at South Wraxall Manor in England, which they bought in 2005. In 2013, John Taylor became an American citizen, meaning he has dual citizenship.

Discography

Studio albums

• Feelings Are Good and Other Lies (1997)
• Résumé with Jonathan Elias (1999)
• Meltdown (1999)
• The Japan Album (1999)
• Techno for Two (2001)
• MetaFour (2002)

with Duran Duran

• Duran Duran (1981)
• Rio (1982)
• Seven and the Ragged Tiger (1983)
• Notorious (1986)
• Big Thing (1988)
• Liberty (1990)
• The Wedding Album (1993)
• Thank You (1995)
• Medazzaland (1997)
• Astronaut (2004)
• Reportage (2006; unreleased)
• Red Carpet Massacre (2007)
• All You Need Is Now (2010)
• Paper Gods (2015)
• Future Past (2021)
• Danse Macabre (2023)

with the Power Station

• The Power Station (1985)

with Neurotic Outsiders

• Neurotic Outsiders (1996)

Live albums

• (:live cuts) (2000)

Compilation albums

• Only After Dark with Nick Rhodes (2006)

Box sets

• Retreat into Art (2001)

Extended plays

• Autodidact (1997)
• The Japan EP (2000)
• Terroristen: Live at the Roxy (2001)

Soundtrack appearances

• "I Do What I Do" (from 9½ Weeks) (1985)

Film Credits

• 1999 – Sugar Town: Clive
• 2000 – Four Dogs Playing Poker: Dick
• 2000 – The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas: Keith Richrock
• 2000 – A Diva's Christmas Carol: Ghost of Christmas Present (VH1)
• 2001 – Strange Frequency: Jimmy Blitz (VH1)
• 2001 - Vegas: City of Dreams: Byron Lord

See also

In Spanish: John Taylor (bajista) para niños