EDDIE TAYLOR

Biography

Eddie Taylor (January 29, 1923 – December 25, 1985) was born in Benoit, Mississippi, where he grew up immersed in the Delta blues tradition. As a child, he was influenced by legendary figures like Charley Patton, Son House, Big Joe Williams, Robert Johnson, and Memphis Minnie, learning guitar from a musician known as 'Popcorn' and teaching his childhood friend Jimmy Reed to play in nearby Leland and Meltonia. Performing in local jukes around Leland and Clarksdale, Taylor moved to Memphis in the 1940s, where he acquired his first electric guitar and played with Joe Hill Lewis, before relocating to Chicago in 1949, bringing his Delta-rooted style to pioneer the post-World War II electric Chicago blues sound.[1][2][3][5]

In Chicago, Taylor became a cornerstone of the blues scene, renowned for his versatile guitar work, impeccable timing, and steady bass lines using thumb and finger picks. He served as the primary accompanist and bandleader for Jimmy Reed on Vee-Jay Records hits like 'You Don't Have to Go,' 'Boogie in the Dark,' and 'Ain't That Loving You Baby?,' after introducing Reed to the label. Taylor also backed John Lee Hooker, Big Walter Horton, Elmore James, Sunnyland Slim, and many others, while releasing his own local hits 'Big Town Playboy' and 'Bad Boy' on Vee-Jay. His solo albums included 'Ready for Eddie' and recordings with Earwig Music like 'Original Chicago Blues.'[1][2][3][7]

Taylor toured extensively in his later career, including the American Blues Legends '74 tour in Europe, festivals in Ann Arbor (1970, 1972), Japan (1977), and the Netherlands (1979), and performances with Roosevelt Sykes in Spain and France (1970). In semi-retirement, he led Peter Dames and the Chicago River Blues Band. Though never a superstar, his musicianship earned him induction into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1987, cementing his legacy as an architect of Chicago blues.[1][2][7]

Fun Facts

• Eddie Taylor earned the nickname 'Playboy' Taylor and released the local hit 'Big Town Playboy' on Vee-Jay Records in the 1950s.
• He bought his first electric guitar and amplifier via mail-order catalog while driving a truck in Memphis in the 1940s.
• Taylor toured with Jimmy Reed across the U.S. and Mexico in 1955, and later played the Savoy in San Francisco in 1976.
• Despite his behind-the-scenes role, Taylor was elected to the Blues Hall of Fame in 1987, two years after his death.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Charley Patton - early stylistic influence from Delta blues (general inspiration for guitar style) [childhood 1930s]
• Son House - early stylistic influence from Delta blues (general inspiration for guitar style) [childhood 1930s]
• Robert Johnson - early stylistic influence from Delta blues (general inspiration for guitar style) [childhood 1930s]
• Popcorn - direct guitar teacher (N/A) [childhood]

Key Collaborators

• Jimmy Reed - primary accompanist and bandleader on Vee-Jay sessions; childhood friend taught guitar to Reed ('You Don't Have to Go,' 'Boogie in the Dark,' 'Pretty Thing,' 'Ain't That Loving You Baby?') [1953-1960s]
• John Lee Hooker - frequent session guitarist and tour mate (various sessions and European tour 1969) [1950s-1969]
• Big Walter Horton - studio and performance collaborator (various Chicago sessions) [1950s-1970s]
• Elmore James - session guitarist with Broomdusters (various recordings) [1950s-1960s]

Artists Influenced

• Freddie King - absorbed elements of Taylor's blues guitar style in Chicago (early style development) [1950]
• Jimmy Reed - taught guitar as childhood friend (early playing foundation) [1930s-1940s]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia