Heavy Metal Singer Tony Taylor (Twisted Tower Dire) Dies in Motorcycle Accident - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 02-09-2010, 08:52 PM

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NAPLES — Tony Taylor left this world rockin’.

The former lead singer of the internationally-known heavy metal band Twisted Tower Dire, Taylor, 42, played the Everglades Seafood Festival on Saturday afternoon with his new band, the Down South Rockers.

“We were all there,” said Taylor’s wife, Charry Taylor. “His friends were there. His family was there. He had a great last day. He did what he loved most. He was singing. He was with his family and friends. And he loved riding (his motorcycle).”

Around 11 p.m., while on his way home from the festival, Tony Taylor wrecked his 1996 Harley Davidson on Nighthawk Drive in North Naples, not more than a few blocks from the home he shared with his wife and two children — son Tanis, 14, and daughter Tasmin, 12.

According to Florida Highway Patrol reports, Taylor lost control of the bike, causing it to overturn, slide about 45 feet, strike a curb and hit a palm tree. Taylor, who was wearing a helmet, was transported to Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers, where he was pronounced dead.

Tests to determine if the crash was alcohol-related are pending, according to reports.

“He was an unbelievable person. Happy. Always nice,” said Jörn Rüter, 44, the owner of Remedy Records in Germany, the former label of Twisted Tower Dire. “He was like a brother to me.”

Tony Taylor was born and raised in West Virginia, and played football in high school and for West Virginia State University, Charry Taylor said. He always loved music, and started writing bluegrass tunes when he was in junior high school.

When he discovered heavy metal as a kid, his wife said he fell in love and has been a “metal head” ever since. His favorite saying was “Cheers and MetaLLLLLL!” his wife said.

“He would always sing in the bathtub,” Taylor’s brother, Shawn Taylor, 41, said. “My dad would get mad because he would be in the bathtub so long. You’d go to the door, and he’d be singing.”

After he left college, Tony Taylor joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Spain, his family said. When he moved back to the United States, he worked in the pre-cabling business in Washington, D.C., and became part of the metal scene as a lead singer in local bands.

In the mid-1990s he answered an ad, and became the lead singer of Twisted Tower Dire for nine years.

With Twisted Tower Dire, Taylor toured Europe and Asia, and released three albums. More of an underground band in the United States, Twisted Tower Dire remains popular in Europe, Rüter said.

After leaving Twisted Tower Dire in 2006, Tony Taylor moved his family to Naples, where he continued playing music with the Down South Rockers, and in an acoustic outfit called Sickwicked, his wife said.

“He wanted a slower lifestyle, to be closer to the beach and sunset,” Charry Taylor said. “We fell in love with Naples and that’s why we’re here.”

More than anything, friends said they will remember Taylor as a family man — a hard-rockin’ family man.

“He was just very loving, devoted,” Charry Taylor said. “He’s just always thinking about you. He likes to surprise me with things. He treated me like a queen.”

Marvo301 · 02-09-2010, 09:11 PM

Tony Taylor

ABlairican Pie · 02-10-2010, 01:18 AM

I've heard some Twisted Towers Dire and they have that raw 80's power metal sound. One of the members, it might have been Taylor, said that it was the point of the band to kill off bands like Creed and Scott Stapp, and all the "post-grunge" fluff, to bring back real metal.

RIP Tony Taylor.

Cheers and METALLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!

02-09-2010, 08:52 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,346	Heavy Metal Singer Tony Taylor (Twisted Tower Dire) Dies in Motorcycle Accident Link NAPLES — Tony Taylor left this world rockin’. The former lead singer of the internationally-known heavy metal band Twisted Tower Dire, Taylor, 42, played the Everglades Seafood Festival on Saturday afternoon with his new band, the Down South Rockers. “We were all there,” said Taylor’s wife, Charry Taylor. “His friends were there. His family was there. He had a great last day. He did what he loved most. He was singing. He was with his family and friends. And he loved riding (his motorcycle).” Around 11 p.m., while on his way home from the festival, Tony Taylor wrecked his 1996 Harley Davidson on Nighthawk Drive in North Naples, not more than a few blocks from the home he shared with his wife and two children — son Tanis, 14, and daughter Tasmin, 12. According to Florida Highway Patrol reports, Taylor lost control of the bike, causing it to overturn, slide about 45 feet, strike a curb and hit a palm tree. Taylor, who was wearing a helmet, was transported to Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers, where he was pronounced dead. Tests to determine if the crash was alcohol-related are pending, according to reports. “He was an unbelievable person. Happy. Always nice,” said Jörn Rüter, 44, the owner of Remedy Records in Germany, the former label of Twisted Tower Dire. “He was like a brother to me.” Tony Taylor was born and raised in West Virginia, and played football in high school and for West Virginia State University, Charry Taylor said. He always loved music, and started writing bluegrass tunes when he was in junior high school. When he discovered heavy metal as a kid, his wife said he fell in love and has been a “metal head” ever since. His favorite saying was “Cheers and MetaLLLLLL!” his wife said. “He would always sing in the bathtub,” Taylor’s brother, Shawn Taylor, 41, said. “My dad would get mad because he would be in the bathtub so long. You’d go to the door, and he’d be singing.” After he left college, Tony Taylor joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Spain, his family said. When he moved back to the United States, he worked in the pre-cabling business in Washington, D.C., and became part of the metal scene as a lead singer in local bands. In the mid-1990s he answered an ad, and became the lead singer of Twisted Tower Dire for nine years. With Twisted Tower Dire, Taylor toured Europe and Asia, and released three albums. More of an underground band in the United States, Twisted Tower Dire remains popular in Europe, Rüter said. After leaving Twisted Tower Dire in 2006, Tony Taylor moved his family to Naples, where he continued playing music with the Down South Rockers, and in an acoustic outfit called Sickwicked, his wife said. “He wanted a slower lifestyle, to be closer to the beach and sunset,” Charry Taylor said. “We fell in love with Naples and that’s why we’re here.” More than anything, friends said they will remember Taylor as a family man — a hard-rockin’ family man. “He was just very loving, devoted,” Charry Taylor said. “He’s just always thinking about you. He likes to surprise me with things. He treated me like a queen.”
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

02-09-2010, 09:11 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	Tony Taylor
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

02-10-2010, 01:18 AM	#3
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,620	I've heard some Twisted Towers Dire and they have that raw 80's power metal sound. One of the members, it might have been Taylor, said that it was the point of the band to kill off bands like Creed and Scott Stapp, and all the "post-grunge" fluff, to bring back real metal. RIP Tony Taylor. Cheers and METALLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!
	__________________ Release the kitties. --Nathan Explosion