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R Dean Taylor
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Taylor began his career in 1961, as a pianist and singer with several groups in Toronto. He also made his first recordings in 1961, for the Audiomaster label. The following year, Taylor’s “At The High School Dance”, a single for Amy-Mala Records, was a minor success, and the singer decided to move to Detroit for better opportunities.
In Detroit, Taylor was hired by Motown Records in 1964 as a songwriter. Among Taylor’s hit co-compositions and co-productions for Motown are “Love Child” and “I’m Livin’ in Shame” by Diana Ross & the Supremes, “I’ll Turn to Stone” by Four Tops, and “All I Need” by The Temptations. Eventually Motown head Berry Gordy, Jr. gave Taylor a record deal. Taylor recorded several singles for the V.I.P. label, including “Poor Girl”, “Let’s Go Somewhere”, and “Ladybug (Stay Away From That Beatle)”.
Taylor became one of the first artists assigned to Motown’s new Rare Earth subsidiary, which was dedicated to white artists. In 1968 Taylor’s single “Gotta See Jane” became a Top 20 hit in England. Taylor’s “Indiana Wants Me” became a major hit in both the United States and his native Canada. As a Canadian, he could be played on CKLW as Canadian content. “Gotta See Jane” was reissued in 1971, and became a Top 10 hit in Canada. He also enjoyed a UK top three single with “There’s a Ghost in My House”, later covered by Manchester band The Fall.
Taylor continued recording for Rare Earth, and working as a writer/producer for other artists until Rare Earth closed down in 1976. He attempted a comeback in the early 1980s, after which he took a hiatus from the industry. He has recently re-surfaced with his own record label, the appropriately dubbed “Jane Records”.
In Detroit, Taylor was hired by Motown Records in 1964 as a songwriter. Among Taylor’s hit co-compositions and co-productions for Motown are “Love Child” and “I’m Livin’ in Shame” by Diana Ross & the Supremes, “I’ll Turn to Stone” by Four Tops, and “All I Need” by The Temptations. Eventually Motown head Berry Gordy, Jr. gave Taylor a record deal. Taylor recorded several singles for the V.I.P. label, including “Poor Girl”, “Let’s Go Somewhere”, and “Ladybug (Stay Away From That Beatle)”.
Taylor became one of the first artists assigned to Motown’s new Rare Earth subsidiary, which was dedicated to white artists. In 1968 Taylor’s single “Gotta See Jane” became a Top 20 hit in England. Taylor’s “Indiana Wants Me” became a major hit in both the United States and his native Canada. As a Canadian, he could be played on CKLW as Canadian content. “Gotta See Jane” was reissued in 1971, and became a Top 10 hit in Canada. He also enjoyed a UK top three single with “There’s a Ghost in My House”, later covered by Manchester band The Fall.
Taylor continued recording for Rare Earth, and working as a writer/producer for other artists until Rare Earth closed down in 1976. He attempted a comeback in the early 1980s, after which he took a hiatus from the industry. He has recently re-surfaced with his own record label, the appropriately dubbed “Jane Records”.
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R DEAN TAYLOR
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R Dean Taylor - Indiana Wants Me (1971)
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r dean taylor - see jane
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r dean taylor - there's a ghost in my house
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