Vince Taylor
| Vince Taylor | |
|---|---|
Vince Taylor and the Playboys
(Kurhaus, Netherlands, 1962) |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Brian Maurice Holden |
| Born |
14 July 1939 Isleworth, Middlesex, England |
| Died | 28 August 1991 (aged 52) Lutry, Switzerland |
| Genres |
Rock and roll Rockabilly Protopunk |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 1957–1991 |
Vince Taylor (14 July 1939 – 28 August 1991), born Brian Maurice Holden, was a British rock and roll singer. As the frontman for the Playboys, Taylor was successful primarily in France and the Continent during the late 1950s and early 1960s, afterwards falling into obscurity amidst personal problems and drug abuse.
Taylor spent his early life in Isleworth, Middlesex. When he was seven, the Holdens emigrated to America and settled in New Jersey where his father found employment. Around 1955, his sister, Sheila, married Joe Barbera, of Hanna-Barbera. As a result of the marriage, the family moved to California, where Taylor attended Hollywood High School. As a teenager, Taylor took flying lessons and obtained a pilot's licence.
At age 18, impressed by the music of Gene Vincent and Elvis Presley, Taylor began to sing, mostly at amateur gigs. Barbera, his brother-in-law, became his manager. When Barbera went to London on business he asked Taylor to join him. In London, Taylor went to the 2i's Coffee Bar on Old Compton Street in Soho, where Tommy Steele was playing. There he met drummer Tony Meehan (later of the Shadows) and bass player Tex Makins (born Anthony Paul Makins, 3 July 1940, Wembley, Middlesex). They formed a band called the Playboys. Whilst looking at a packet of Pall Mall cigarettes he noticed the phrase, 'In hoc signo vinces'. He decided on the new stage name of Vince Taylor.
His first singles for Parlophone, "I Like Love" and "Right Behind You Baby", were released in 1958, followed several months later by "Pledgin' My Love" backed with "Brand New Cadillac", (the latter track featuring guitarist Joe Moretti, who later featured on "Shakin' All Over" with Johnny Kidd & The Pirates). Parlophone was not satisfied with the immediate results and severed the recording contract. Taylor moved to Palette Records and recorded "I'll Be Your Hero", backed with "Jet Black Machine", which was released on 19 August 1960.
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