B. E. Taylor

B. E. Taylor
Birth name William Edward Taylor
Also known as Billy Eddie, B.E.
Born March 18, 1951
Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died (aged 65)
Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, musician
Instruments Acoustic guitar, vocals
Years active 1981–2016
Labels MCA, Epic, First String Records (B. E. Taylor Group)
Chrishae Records
Associated acts B. E. Taylor Group
Jeff Jimerson
Website http://www.betaylor.com

William Edward "B. E." Taylor (March 18, 1951 – August 7, 2016)[1] was the lead singer of the pop rock band B. E. Taylor Group and a solo artist. The group's 1983 single, "Vitamin L", reached No. 66 on the Billboard 100 singles chart.

Life and career

Hailing from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, he was the eldest of three sons of Bill and Betty Taylor. Born William Edward, he was called 'Billy Eddie' by his mother, which he eventually shortened to B. E.[2] While in high school, he formed B.E. Taylor and The Establishment.

Taylor moved to Wheeling, West Virginia in the mid-1980s.[3]

In 1991, Taylor, a dedicated Christian, contributed a reworking of “Silent Night” to a local station’s Christmas compilation, launching his second career as a holiday performer.

Taylor went on to record five solo albums and developed a following in the adult contemporary market with his annual Christmas tours. He had also performed for many popular television programs in the 1990s, including the award-winning LightMusic,[4] for which he was the music director, Nickelodeon, and its night-time programming block, Nick At Nite.[5] In 1984, the B. E. Taylor Group scored MTV video rotation and a Billboard regional No. 1 hit with the song "Vitamin L."[2]

Taylor's longtime guitarist and collaborator, Rick Witkowski, is also a member of the progressive rock band, Crack the Sky. In 2008, Taylor was awarded the Duquesne University Lifetime Achievement Award.[2]

Later years and death

In March 2007, Taylor was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. During the years of treatment, he released the album B. E. Taylor Christmas 3 and a concert DVD, completed eight Christmas tours, took part in Valentine and summer concerts.[6]

He died on August 7, 2016, aged 65 from complications of the tumor.[7] He was survived by his wife Veronica (Née DeBlasis) Taylor and two children, B.C. and Tahnee.[7]

Discography

With B. E. Taylor Group

Albums

Singles

As a solo artist

Albums

Singles

References

  1. ↑ Mervis, Scott (August 8, 2016). "Singer B.E. Taylor, of 'Vitamin L' and Christmas Tour fame, dies at 65". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 Tri-state area loses music legend B.E. Taylor, WTOV 9. August 8, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  3. ↑ Bethel, Betsy (August 9, 2016). "B.E. Taylor Leaves A Legacy of Love in the Ohio Valley". The Intelligencer and Wheeling News Register. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  4. ↑ Passing of Tom Green, Pioneer Contemporary Christian Broadcaster Christian Connection. Retrieved 2006-12-03
  5. ↑ Who the "L" are we? Studio L website. Retrieved 2006-12-03
  6. ↑ Bethel, Betsy (August 8, 2016). "B.E. Taylor, 65, Dies". The Intelligencer and Wheeling News Register. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  7. 1 2 Pittsburgh musician B.E. Taylor dies WTAE.com. August 8, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2016.

External links

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