Singer/Songwriter R. Dean Taylor (1939-2022) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 01-11-2022, 09:38 PM

https://www.soultracks.com/story-r-dean-taylor-dies

(January 10, 2022) He was white Canadian, and his music mostly alternated between pop and rockabilly. So R. Dean Taylor was an unlikely Motown star, but that he was, contributing to the label for more than a decade and hitting the top of the charts as a solo artist with “Indiana Wants Me.” We are sad to report the death of Mr. Taylor at age 82.

The Toronto-born Taylor had some regional success as a pop artist, but Berry Gordy Jr. saw his songwriting talent and, in a plan to expand the musical footprint of Motown, signed Taylor to Motown’s V.I.P. label, and later its Rare Earth imprint.

Taylor the singer worked with Holland-Dozier-Holland during the late 60s, but had trouble breaking out as an artist. He had more success as a songwriter, landing hits for the Four Tops (“I’ll Turn To Stone”) and The Temptations (“All I Need”). And he took an even larger songwriting role at the label after H-D-H left to form their Invictus imprint, writing for multiple Motown stars and scoring a #1 hit with the Supremes on “Love Child.”

Taylor’s solo career finally took off in 1970, when his “Indiana Wants Me” became a smash, shooting all the way to #1 on the pop charts. It became his signature song, and helped the follow-up single, “Gotta See Jane,” get some airplay. He also had a European hit with "There's A Ghost In My House."

Taylor left Motown in 1977 and largely fell off the radar of radio by 1980. He moved to Los Angeles, where he continued to write and produce other artists. He also continued to perform occasionally with success in Canada and in the UK for years after his recording peak. While his recoding career had a bit of a "One Hit Wonder" feel to it, R. Dean Taylor's career as a songwriter brought us some iconic songs that are revered by soul music fans to this day. Rest in peace.

Zoneboy · 01-11-2022, 09:39 PM

1960'sTVfan · 01-12-2022, 02:07 PM

Sad to learn this news. I have three 45 RPM records by R. Dean Taylor, first one being the big hit Indiana Wants Me, along with two of his lesser known hits, Candy Apple Red and Taos New Mexico.

AB · 01-12-2022, 09:20 PM

Rest in peace. I always liked him singing Indiana Wants Me.

01-11-2022, 09:38 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: 34,348	Singer/Songwriter R. Dean Taylor (1939-2022) https://www.soultracks.com/story-r-dean-taylor-dies (January 10, 2022) He was white Canadian, and his music mostly alternated between pop and rockabilly. So R. Dean Taylor was an unlikely Motown star, but that he was, contributing to the label for more than a decade and hitting the top of the charts as a solo artist with “Indiana Wants Me.” We are sad to report the death of Mr. Taylor at age 82. The Toronto-born Taylor had some regional success as a pop artist, but Berry Gordy Jr. saw his songwriting talent and, in a plan to expand the musical footprint of Motown, signed Taylor to Motown’s V.I.P. label, and later its Rare Earth imprint. Taylor the singer worked with Holland-Dozier-Holland during the late 60s, but had trouble breaking out as an artist. He had more success as a songwriter, landing hits for the Four Tops (“I’ll Turn To Stone”) and The Temptations (“All I Need”). And he took an even larger songwriting role at the label after H-D-H left to form their Invictus imprint, writing for multiple Motown stars and scoring a #1 hit with the Supremes on “Love Child.” Taylor’s solo career finally took off in 1970, when his “Indiana Wants Me” became a smash, shooting all the way to #1 on the pop charts. It became his signature song, and helped the follow-up single, “Gotta See Jane,” get some airplay. He also had a European hit with "There's A Ghost In My House." Taylor left Motown in 1977 and largely fell off the radar of radio by 1980. He moved to Los Angeles, where he continued to write and produce other artists. He also continued to perform occasionally with success in Canada and in the UK for years after his recording peak. While his recoding career had a bit of a "One Hit Wonder" feel to it, R. Dean Taylor's career as a songwriter brought us some iconic songs that are revered by soul music fans to this day. Rest in peace.

01-11-2022, 09:39 PM	#2
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: 34,348

01-12-2022, 02:07 PM	#3
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,072	Sad to learn this news. I have three 45 RPM records by R. Dean Taylor, first one being the big hit Indiana Wants Me, along with two of his lesser known hits, Candy Apple Red and Taos New Mexico.

01-12-2022, 09:20 PM	#4
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,429	Rest in peace. I always liked him singing Indiana Wants Me.