Gene Taylor

Gene Taylor (July 2, 1952 – February 20, 2021) was an American pianist and guitarist best known for his boogie woogie style. Over a career spanning more than 50 years he accompanied many musicians, produced several solo albums and was briefly part of Canned Heat.

Early life Taylor began his musical training as a drummer at age eight but two years later he had picked up both the guitar and his initial piano skills from boogie-woogie pianist-neighbours. By the age of 16 he was an orphan and was essentially forced to fund himself - his receding hairline disguising his remarkable youth. He soon found himself working with some of the big names in the West Coast blues scene including Big Joe Turner and T-Bone Walker, aided by the fact that he "was cheap" and had a driver's license and was thus able to not only add piano parts but also make sure that the musicians reached their gigs.

Harman and Canned Heat In the mid-seventies he joined the James Harman Band a partnership which would last until 2006 and included two 'solo' albums with the band's leader Kim Wilson. This album included a version of "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie".

Belgium From 2007, Taylor was often based in Belgium, playing and recording with Fried Bourbon, CC Jerome's Jet Setters, Dave Alvin and Jo' Buddy. He toured as the Gene Taylor Trio, with drummer Nico Vanhove, and the guitarist Bart De Mulder. He played at the Brussels Boogie-Woogie Festival of 2012, which took place at the Théâtre St Michel on November 24. Shortly after his death, the Dr Boogie show on Belgium's Classic 21 radio commemorated Taylor with an hour of programming and cited him as 'almost Belgian'.

Death On February 20, 2021, Taylor's housemate - the filmmaker Monty McMillan - found him dead in his bed in their home in Austin, Texas. The cause of death was suspected to be hypothermia, as the house had been without heat in the dead of winter amid the 2021 Texas power issue . 2013: Roadhouse Memories (solo) 2010: Let Me Ride In Your Automobile (with CC Jerome's Jetsetters) 2009: Introducing... (with CC Jerome's Jetsetters) 2008: Live!!! 605 Boogie!!! (live, Gene Taylor Blues Band featuring Dave Alvin) 2007: James Harman's Bamboo Porch (with James Harman) 2007: Hell Can Wait (with Carlos Guitarlos) 2007: Boogie Blend Blues (with Fried Bourbon) 2005: Painted On (with The Fabulous Thunderbirds) 2005: Live (with The Fabulous Thunderbirds) 2004: Come On In (with The Downchild Blues Band), winner at the 2005 Maple Blues Awards 2003: Lonesome Moon Trance (with James Harman) 2003: Going Home (live, with The Blasters) 2003: Gene Taylor (solo) 2002: Trouble Bound (live, with The Blasters) 2002: Testament (with The Blasters) 2002: Bogart's Bounce (with JW-Jones) 2002: If I Had A Genie (with Junior Watson), Taylor plays on all but 4 tracks 2000: Mo Na'kins, Please! (with James Harman) 1999: Kid Ramos (with Kid Ramos) 1998: Takin' Chances (with James Harman) 1996: Icepick's Story (with James Harman) 1995: That's Life (with Kim Wilson) 1995: Roll Of The Dice (with The Fabulous Thunderbirds) 1995: In My Time (with Charlie Musselwhite) 1995: Black & White (with James Harman) 1994: Tiger Man (with Kim Wilson) 1994: Cards On The Table (with James Harman) 1993: Two Sides To Every Story (with James Harman) 1992: King King (live, with The Red Devils) 1992: Bluesology (Pyramid Records compilation) 1992: I Was Just Thinking That... (live album with Jackson Delta) 1991: Do Not Disturb (with James Harman) 1990: Live In Japan (as The Amos Garrett, Doug Sahm, Gene Taylor Band) 1990: Collection (with The Blasters) 1989: Gone Fishing (with The Downchild Blues Band) 1988: Extra Napkins (with James Harman) 1987: Those Dangerous Gentlemen (with James Harman) 1987: The Return Of The Formerly Brothers (The Amos Garrett, Doug Sahm, Gene Taylor Band) 1987: Pigus Drunkus Maximus (with Top Jimmy & The Rhythm Pigs), actually recorded in 1981 but delayed 6 years before release/issue 1987: Nobody But You (with John Hammond) 1987: It's Been So Long (with The Downchild Blues Band) 1986: Handmade (solo) 1986: Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. (with Dwight Yoakam) 1985: Hard Line (with The Blasters) 1984: Streets of Fire - Original Movie Soundtrack (2 songs with The Blasters that are featured in the movie of the same name) 1983: Thank You Baby (with James Harman) 1983: Non-Fiction (with The Blasters) 1982: Over There (live, with The Blasters) 1981: This Band Just Won't Behave (with James Harman) 1981: The Blasters (with The Blasters)