James Taylor: The First Family of the New Rock
This story originally appeared in the February 18, 1971 issue of Rolling Stone.
“It is very strange making a living out of being yourself,” says James Taylor, trying to sum up his work.
It is also very popular: “Being yourself” neatly defines the personal, confessional school of songwriting which promises to supplant much of the hard rock of the Sixties. The songs range in profundity from Neil Young’s stylized laments to John Lennon’s barings of the soul, but the singers invariably give simple, intimate solo performances which suggest that they are revealing their most genuine feelings.
At 22, and with two best-selling albums behind him, James Taylor stands at the head of this class right now.
They give disturbing glimpses into an appealing but tormented personality; he is the product of a remarkable and sometimes tragic family.
A verse in “Carolina Day,” by James’ brother Livingston, lists the family activities: “Alec and Brent, they’re lovin’ their child/James is becomin’ a star/Sister Kate’s laughin’ all of the time/Brother Hugh’s out wreckin’ the car.”
Now, in 1971, that roster needs revision, for Alec, Kate and Liv himself are all becoming stars. Alec, at 23 the oldest of the Taylor offspring, has an album out in January and will tour with a band in February. Kate, 21, is awaiting the January release of her album and then she will go on the road. 20-year-old Liv has sold over 120,000 albums and just finished taping four programs for British TV in London. Only Hugh, 18, has resisted the temptation to enter the sweepstakes. Although he has a good voice — “Probably the best in the family,” says Alec — he prefers to work as a carpenter. But in time….
The Taylor family history might have been written by Eugene O’Neill in collaboration with Tennessee Williams. An old North Carolina family, they have tended to produce doctors, alcoholics and suicides — sometimes all three at once. Dr. Isaac Taylor, James’ father, was delivered at birth by his grandfather, also a physician. A week later, Dr. Taylor’s mother died and within two months his grandfather, filled with guilt, had drunk himself to death.
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