Andy Taylor (guitarist)
| Andy Taylor | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Andrew Taylor |
| Born |
16 February 1961 Cullercoats, Northumberland, England |
| Genres | Rock, new wave |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, record producer |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1980–2006 (retired) |
| Labels |
EMI Records MCA Records A&M Records Sony Music |
| Associated acts | Duran Duran, The Power Station, Robert Palmer, Rod Stewart, The Almighty, Thunder, Mark Shaw, Love and Money, Paul Rodgers, Tony Banks, C. C. Catch |
Andrew "Andy" Taylor (born 16 February 1961) is an English guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer, best known as a former member of both Duran Duran and The Power Station.
He has also recorded and performed as a solo artist, and served as a guitarist, songwriter and record producer for the likes of Robert Palmer, Rod Stewart, The Almighty, Thunder, Love and Money, Mark Shaw, Then Jerico, Tony Banks, C. C. Catch, Paul Rodgers (with The Law), Belinda Carlisle, Gun and many more.
Andrew Taylor was born and raised in the town of Cullercoats, Northumberland, in northeast England, and attended Marden High School. He began playing guitar at the age of eleven, and was soon playing with local bands, even producing one at the age of sixteen. He received guitar tuition from Dave Black, a member of David Bowie's backing group the Spiders from Mars. He dropped out of school early to tour England and Europe with several different bands, playing working men's clubs and air force bases. Then in April 1980, as Taylor puts it, "I made that fateful train journey down to Birmingham".
Duran Duran began their rise to fame at a Birmingham club named the "Rum Runner". The club was owned by their managers and mentors, brothers Paul & Michael Berrow. It was centred on the music and ostentatious fashion of the era, particularly dance & disco music, which had fused with punk and electronic to create the sound and look adopted by various "New Romantic" acts of the time. The band was heavily influenced by the 12 inch cuts of the day. Taylor says... "Anybody who is familiar with early DD (Duran Duran) will be aware of the Night Versions concept… the underlying influence of the 12" mix – Edwards & Rodgers – Giorgio Moroder … It was all part of the matrix – we tested our first hits on the dance-floor before going anywhere near the radio – it was the way you defined your style and who you were, through the club you were associated with – where you hung-out … I'm a rock fan, but the girls hung-out at the disco – I recommend a large portion of both."
...
Wikipedia