Chris Taylor (attorney)

Chris Taylor

Christopher Normand "Chris" Taylor is a president of Entertainment One Music.[1]

Taylor was raised in Windsor, Ontario and graduated with a Communications degree in 1987, and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1990 (the oldest law school in Canada). After graduating from law school he founded rock/reggae group, One, signing with Virgin Records in 1994 and was lead vocalist until 1995. The group released four albums including 1994’s, Smokin’ The Goats which included 2 Top 40 singles, "Wide Load" and "54-46". One performed widely throughout North America earning a reputation as one of the country's finest live bands.[2] In 1996 Taylor returned to finish law school articles and was called to the Bar in 1997. In 1998, via his former manager Chris Smith, he discovered Nelly Furtado and assisted with introducing her talents to record companies in the United States. Shortly following Furtado’s rise Taylor played a vital role in introducing Sum 41 to the music industry. More recently he has been working for rap phenom, Drake.[3]

In 1997 he commenced practicing law with the law firm of Sanderson Taylor representing Canadian music royalty, Furtado, Avril Lavigne, and Tom Cochrane among others. In 2006 he founded his own law firm Taylor Mitsopulos Klein Oballa, representing additional acts such as Billy Talent, Three Days Grace, Justin Nozuka, Daniel Powter, Alexisonfire, Gogol Bordello and Lights in addition to mega producer/songwriters such as, Henry "Cirkut" Walter and the legendary, Gordon Lightfoot. His law firm also provides legal advice to YTV's #1 rated show, The Next Star, Canada's Walk of Fame, charitable organisation, Free The Children, and Slaight Music, as well as leading independent music publisher, ole (http://www.majorlyindie.com). He is the longtime lawyer for leading Canadian media personalities, George Stroumboulopoulos (http://www.cbc.ca/thehour) and Matte Babel among others. In January 2012 the law firm changed its name to Taylor Klein Oballa LLP.

In 2003 he founded entertainment company, Last Gang Entertainment, discovering and signing leading alternative/dance artists, Metric, Death From Above 1979, MSTRKRFT and Crystal Castles.

After several years of introducing indie new wave/rock act, Metric, to industry contacts with limited success he founded Last Gang Entertainment with music industry promoter/impresario, Donald Tarlton to release Metric recordings. The label has been nominated as Canadian Independent Record Label of the Year at the Canadian Music Awards 8 times, its latest nomination came in 2014.[4] Metric’s first album, Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? has sold Gold in Canada (50,000) and over 250,000 copies worldwide. The label’s second signing, Death From Above 1979, also sold in excess of 50,000 records in Canada and has also sold over 250,000 copies around the globe. More recently the Crystal Castles’ self-titled release was named one of the “Top 100 Greatest Albums of the Decade” by NME.[5] Last Gang is also the Canadian home label for Chromeo, Purity Ring and The New Pornographers. The Last Gang released album by Lights, “Siberia” debuted at #47 on the Billboard Top 200 sellers on release in October 2011. Last Gang have offices in Toronto, Los Angeles, London and Montreal with interests in publishing, management, and live events working forward-thinking, progressive dance and alternative acts[6] The label most recently celebrated the sale of their 2 millionth album.[7]

Last Gang Management manage Lights and Arkells and co-manage acts, Ryan Hemsworth, BadBadNotGood, Holy Fuck, Tennyson, and chef, Matty Matheson in partnership with management company, People’s Champ.

In 2013 Taylor was honoured by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association for Excellence in Advocacy alongside former Supreme Court Justice, The Honourable Ian Binnie and filmmaker, David Cronenberg.[8]

In March 2016 Taylor sold Last Gang to Entertainment One and took the position of President of Entertainment One’s music division.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Billboard: Chris Taylor Appointed President Of Entertainment One Music
  2. ↑ Future of Music: Panelist & Speaker Details
  3. ↑ Toronto Star: Ex-rocker Chris Taylor now a player of a different kind, as a force behind Toronto's biggest music stars
  4. ↑ Canadian Music Week Announces Nominees For The Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Awards
  5. ↑ NME: Top 100 Greatest Albums of the Decade
  6. ↑ Billboard: THE INDIES ISSUE: THE VISIONARIES
  7. ↑ Last Gang Records defies the odds
  8. ↑ Canadian Civil Liberties Association for Excellence in Advocacy Archived July 25, 2013, at the Wayback Machine.
  9. ↑ Billboard: Chris Taylor Appointed President Of Entertainment One Music

External links

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