Ted Taylor

Theodore Taylor (February 16, 1934 – October 23, 1987) was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, and moved to California in 1952. He became a member of the Mighty Clouds of Joy gospel group, before joining the Santa Monica Soul Seekers as a tenor singer. In 1955, the Soul Seekers approached Maxwell Davis at Modern Records for a recording deal, and he persuaded them to concentrate on secular R&B music. The same group recorded as both The Cadets on Modern and The Jacks on the subsidiary RPM label. Taylor sang lead vocals on The Cadets' "Do You Wanna Rock (Hey Little Girl)" and "I Cry" and also on The Jacks' "Away" and "My Darling."

Taylor left the group, and recorded two singles on Melatone Records in 1957 with the Bob Reed orchestra on which he was credited for contractual reasons as "Ivory Lucky". Over the next seven years, he recorded singles for a succession of labels including Ebb, Duke, Top Rank International, Laurie (where several of his records were credited to Austin Taylor), Warwick and more.

At Duke, he made the first recording of the ballad "Be Ever Wonderful" in 1959.His first LP "Ted Taylor Sings" was issued on Warwick in 1963 in 1965 his single on the Okeh label "Stay Away From My Baby" reached number 14 on the Billboard R&B chart.

After further singles Taylor signed with Ronn in 1969. He released three albums ("Shades Of Blue", "You Can Dig It" and "Taylor Made") and a fourth with label mate Little Johnny Taylor entitled "The Super Taylors" in 1973. He charted with "Steal Away" (#64 R&B) and issued a fukk, self-titled album in 1976 with Alarm Records. Three more LPs appear in the 80s including a one-ff with MCA in 1981 ("Keepin' My Head Above Water") and two for his own Solpugits label. Taylor died in an automobile accident in 1987 at age 53.

Album Discography

"Ted Taylor Sings" (Warwick 1961)

A1 Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere 2:31
A2 I Lost The Best Things I Ever Had 2:48
A3 I Need You So 2:16
A4 Look Out 1:56
A5 Someday (I Know, I Know) 2:10
A6 I Don't Care 2:10
B1 Darling Take Me Back 2:22
B2 Never In My Life 2:17
B3 That Day 2:00
B4 She's A Winner 2:55
B5 Chanta Lula 2:38
B6 Has My Love Grown Cold 2:00

"Be Ever Wonderful" (Okeh 1963)

A1 Be Ever Wonderful
A2 Can't Take No More
A3 Close Your Eyes
A4 That's Life I Guess
A5 I'll Release You
A6 Pretending Love
B1 You Give Me Nothing To Go On
B2 Him Instead Of Me
B3 Don't Lie
B4 St. James Infirmary
B5 You Must Have Been Meant For Me
B6 This Love Of Mine

"Blues & Soul" (Okeh 1965)

A1 Don't Deceive Me (Please Don't Go)
A2 Fannie Mae
A3 Stay Away From My Baby
A4 Find Me A New Love
A5 I'm So Satisfied
A6 Get Away
B1 (Love Is Like a) Ramblin' Rose
B2 Big Wheel
B3 Did She Mention My Name?
B4 Why Do Fools Fall In Love?
B5 No One But You
B6 The Seventh Son

"Greatest Hits" (Okeh 1966)

Stay Away From My Baby 2:45
I Love You, Yes I Do 2:27
Can't Take No More 2:36
I'll Release You 3:23
Don't Lie 2:08
Be Ever Wonderful 2:45
(Love Is Like A) Ramblin' Rose 2:15
Don't Deceive Me (Please Don't Go) 2:51
It Ain't Like That No More 1:50
Need You Home 2:28

"Shades Of Blue" (Ronn 1969)

You've Been Crying 2:41
The Girl Of My Dreams 2:15
I've Got The Chills 2:09
This Love Of Mine 2:32
Keep Walking On 1:55
If I Don't See You Again 2:00
Very Truly Yours 1:56
Every Where I Go 2:59
Days Are Dark 2:24
Wrapped In A Dream 2:07
Only Your Love 2:15
Close Your Eyes 2:56