James Taylor
Origin: Boston, Massachusetts, United States Years: March 12, 1948
James Vernon Taylor, born on March 12, 1948, in Boston, Massachusetts, is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist whose warm baritone and virtuosic guitar playing defined the sound of 1970s folk-rock, achieving breakthrough with "Sweet Baby James" (1970). Throughout his career, he has balanced pop accessibility with artistic integrity, scoring hits like "Fire and Rain" (1970), "You've Got a Friend" (1971), and "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" (1975), with intimate vocals and honest lyrics about addiction, love, and recovery resonating with audiences worldwide. Taylor has won five Grammy Awards and was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2000) and the Songwriters Hall of Fame (1998), with his influence on acoustic guitar playing and intimate vocal delivery continuing to inspire musicians across genres. Beyond music, he has been a prominent advocate for drug addiction recovery and environmental causes, with annual benefit concerts raising millions for various charities. At 76, Taylor continues to tour and record, maintaining his status as one of America's most beloved singer-songwriters.
Folk RockSoft RockPop RockCountry RockAcoustic MusicAdult Contemporary