Bobby Taylor was a veteran singer and producer who brought the Jackson 5 to Motown in the late 1960s.
Biography[]
Born Robert Edward Taylor in Washington, D.C., Taylor began his music career in the late 1950s as a member of several doo-wop groups. In the early 1960s, he joined the Vancouvers, a soul band, and signed with Gordy Records, a subsidiary of Motown. The Vancouvers released a few singles, including "Does Your Mama Know About Me," which became a modest hit in 1968.
Bobby Taylor's significant contribution to music history lies in his discovery and early support of the Jackson 5. In 1968, Taylor saw the Jackson 5 perform at Chicago's Regal Theater and was impressed by their talent. He recommended them to Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, leading to the Jackson 5 signing with the label. Taylor was stunned by the Jacksons and especially taken with the lead singer, Michael.
Taylor recanted on the NBC program “Dateline” after Jackson’s death, he's reaction to seeing Michael: “He was singing like James Brown, He was dancing as well as James Brown.” Taylor also once joked that he was amazed, but not humbled, by Michael Jackson’s singular talents stating: “He’s the greatest entertainer who’s ever been on the stage,” he said. “But he still can’t out-sing me.”
Taylor also produced some of their early recordings, including their first single, "I Want You Back," which became a massive hit and marked the beginning of the Jackson 5's extraordinary success.
Despite his pivotal role in the Jackson 5's early career, Bobby Taylor's solo career did not achieve the same level of success. After leaving Motown in the early 1970s, he continued to perform and record music, but his solo efforts did not gain widespread recognition.
Bobby Taylor later worked in artist management and continued to be involved in the music industry. He remained connected to the Jackson family, and his role in discovering the Jackson 5 was acknowledged over the years. Taylor's contributions to Motown and his impact on the careers of legendary artists have solidified his place in the history of popular music.
Bobby Taylor passed away on July 22, 2017, leaving behind a legacy that extends beyond his own recordings to the groundbreaking discovery and early support of the Jackson 5, who went on to become global superstars. On Twitter, now know as "X" Jermaine Jackson, one of the group’s members, wrote that Mr. Taylor had “put J5 on the path,” and Berry Gordy himself suggested that it was Taylor who had guided the band to Motown’s studios.