Danny Taylor Dies

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Tuesday 26th January 2010

Jesus music pioneer Danny Taylor dies in Nashville

CHRISTIAN music pioneer Danny Taylor died on 15th January 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. Danny had been labouring under a number of illnesses over the last few years including heart disease, diabetes, cataracts and blindness. His former wife, Sandra, and their children, Daniel Jr, Pamela, Matthew and Amy, were at his bedside when Danny died. Danny also had a daughter from a previous marriage and four brothers. He will be buried in a family plot in Kinder, Louisiana.

Taylor was born in Bremerton, Washington and began playing guitar at the age of six. In the fifth grade he became interested in the drums and joined the school band and by the time he was 14 he was playing drums professionally. In the spring of 1969 Danny began a full time music ministry. Taylor was part of the Love Inn Community in New York together with such figures as Phil Keaggy, Lynn Nicholls and Scott & Nedra Ross and he worked with Pat Robinson in the early days of his Christian Broadcasting Network. Taylor's first album was the independent project 'Taylor Made'. He then recorded a single for Metromedia Records. In 1972 he sang at the first Jesus Joy concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Tempo Records released 'Danny Taylor Live At Carnegie Hall'. Danny also appeared at Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall and Jesus '73.

In 1976 Taylor recorded what the Encyclopedia Of Christian Music called his "master work", 'A Time For Love', a collection of Christian-based romantic love songs. In the autumn of 1977 Danny signed with Gary Paxton's Newpax Records and recorded a double album live in concert at Kansas City, 'I'm Not A One-Man Show'. Taylor also recorded as part of the Matthews, Taylor And Johnson trio. In the '80s the trio toured with Christian comedian and self-proclaimed ex-Satanist Mike Warnke and tragically yielded to the temptations that the latter's "no accountability" approach to ministry afforded. Said Taylor in a later interview, "I can't say Mike Warnke MADE me do anything. I made some bad choices and I take responsibility for them." By the time Warnke's career collapsed after exposure by Cornerstone magazine Taylor was long gone from the Christian music spotlight. In 2000 he was managing a music hall in Oberlin, Louisiana and producing public access TV programmes.

Said Scott Ross, "Danny and I shared a lot of life back in the late '60s and early '70s, traveling to and fro throughout the US, as he sang and played and I talked about the King and Kingdom. We still hear about the 'fruit that remains' from those efforts after all these years." CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Reader Comments

Posted by Carol Riolo in Ormond Beach, Fl. @ 13:03 on Sep 25 2018

In 1976 my husband & I were at a church in Ct. where Danny Taylor was performing. We were recently saved & our marriage was healed.(now married 56 years) At the time we purchased a cassette "A Time for Love" & played it over & over> I just came across it & was wondering if it would be available on a CD. Thank You



Posted by Joyce Mauer in New Jersey, USA @ 20:13 on Jun 29 2018

Danny Taylor's songs touched me in my college days. I have been wanting to learn to play some of my favorites from his At Carnegie Hall - Live album and am wondering if family or friends could make available either that album, cassette, or songbook. Thank you so much..especially looking for "It was love" and "The more I see, the more He means to me.". Thank you for any and all replies!
mauer2u@aol.com



Posted by Jerry Arhelger in Nashville, Tennessee/Florida @ 13:58 on Dec 29 2016

I woke up this morning with Danny Taylor on my heart and mind. Danny was and is an eternal friend and brother. We had many times of wonderful fellowship as we performed and shared together. I loved his Christian folk style and his warm heart and love for Jesus.
Travel has taken me away in and out of Nashville through the past few years and I missed time of fellowship with Danny.
Prayers and love for Danny's family. Soon and very soon we will all see the King and what a great reunion that will be.



Posted by Joann Mix Bonczyk in Ontario, NY @ 13:56 on Oct 24 2014

I clearly remember Danny & Pamela & little Danny when they first started recording while attending "Love In". They rented an apartment on my parents farm (Lloyd and Irene Mix). It was my first introduction to contemporary Christian music. He brought over his first album "Taylor Made" to our house and I absolutely fell in love with his music. That album is still in the family today. After my Dad's passing in 2013, we found his album that my Dad had saved. My belated but heartfelt sympathy for the family's loss but again yet another reminder of how many people's lives were blessed through his ministry. God's work never goes out void !! Danny died young, but what does that matter to him now !



Posted by Dan M in AZ @ 05:14 on Jul 14 2014

I first heard Danny perform in Huntington, Long Island NY back in the 70's. He was both inspirational, and refreshingly genuine! Everyone slips and slides now and then, but I hope Danny's family appreaciates how many souls he touched for the better! I am one of them!
God Bless!



Posted by adam higgins in corpus christi tx @ 03:30 on Sep 17 2013

I lived in nashville in the 80's and only met danny couple of times he was extremely nice and very intelligent he was always trying to think of new ways to start little business's he had a bunch of post cards in stores all over very clever and a great musician if youre good enough your art will pay the bills



Posted by Tim Gerstner in Fort Myers, Florida @ 16:59 on Feb 19 2013

Danny Taylor was the first musician that influenced me in the early 70's. I said "If he can play that than so can I." I borrowed a guitar from a friend and spent countless nights with his first album and song book, learning every song. Because of Danny, I have served God as a worship leader and musician for over 40 years. Those are the fruits of his labors.



Posted by Russ wadsworth in West Palm Beach Florida @ 20:09 on Jan 25 2013

I have REEL to REEL tapes of Danny's Taylor Made studio practice/warm-ups if his family wants them !! My Dad was given Dannys 1st out-of-the-box-"Taylor Made " vynal album, from "Love-inn !!!


Reply by Amy Taylor-Revels in Nashville, TN @ 06:50 on Jun 6 2014

I came across this post very by accident. I read the post from Russ Wadsworth about some real to reals of my Dad. Thank you for posting that! Danny has four kids and 4 of them live in Nashville. We would LOVE to have them if you're still able. Thanks so much!

[report abuse]


Posted by Russ wadsworth in Unflited States @ 06:43 on Dec 19 2012

I 'Loved Danny I HAVE reel-to-reel' Tapes of his 1st recordings including "Feedback" from guitar !!!Been @ 'LOVE-INN' ...Wish to give the "perfectionists-tapes to Family members !!!



Posted by Michael Blake in Kansas City @ 21:56 on Oct 15 2012

My partner and I produced the Kansas City live concert. I had lost touch with Danny and Sandra and the family. He was a tremendously talented person who will be missed.



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