FLOYD TAYLOR
The mention of the name "Taylor" in any conversation about true R&B and Soul Music certainly brings to mind the Legendary Johnnie Taylor. And legendary he was, even in his own time. Admired, mimicked, copied, and loved by most, Johnnie Taylor left a lasting and indelible mark on the American Music Scene.
For decades, from the turbulent sixties to the new millennium, Johnnie was in the spotlight, on the radio, and on the stage. His untimely passing in May of 2000 opened the gates for a flood of singers to hit the radio waves with their tributes and sound-alikes and pleadings for acceptance as the heir to Johnnie's exalted station as Monarch in the Kingdom of Soul. Well...here comes the real deal, the heir, the Legacy.......Floyd Taylor
Floyd Singletary was born in Chicago. His mother, Mildred Singletary, raised her son to respect the Lord, his mother, and everyone else in general. Respect; that was a part of Floyd Singletary's life, every day. It shows now when you find yourself in his company. Floyd conducts himself knowing that Mildred is close by, watching and listening.
Floyd remembers singing in Church with his mama as early as age five and singing with a band during his school years at Dusable High School in Chicago, where he graduated. He fondly remembers his first shows at the Regal Theater in Chicago, sharing the stage then with groups like The Five Stairsteps. Floyd held day jobs working at Children's Memorial Hospital, and at Mercy Hospital in Chicago while honing his skills in what would later become his dream-come-true avocation.
In the early seventies, Floyd joined his father on several of his tours following the huge response to Johnnie's "Disco Lady". Floyd also joined Johnnie on several of the Kool Jazz Festival shows, sometimes stepping out front and center to perform, but mostly watching and learning from the seasoned veteran. Floyd has performed with many other stars, including Natalie Cole, Tavares' The O'Jays, Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, Johnnie Guitar Watson, Bobby Womack, Bobby Bland, Tyrone Davis, Marvin Sease, Buddy Guy, Otis Clay, and Bobby Rush. Floyd was voted the 1998 Entertainer of the Year by the Chicago Blues Society.
Floyd Taylor spent many years in the shadow of his famous father, although it was a loving and caring shadow. The aura of Johnnie Taylor's stellar career as a recording and performing artist was a flame that melted the wax on most wings daring to draw close. With Johnnie's passing, the torch has passed; to his son; to Floyd Taylor.
Floyd Taylor joins Malaco Records seventeen years after Johnnie sang his first notes at its Jackson, Mississippi home on West Northside Drive. Floyd's April 2002 release, appropriately titled "LEGACY", will most likely amaze and maybe even shock any first-time listener who ever heard Johnnie Taylor sing. Floyd Taylor sounds like his father; when he sings, when he talks, when he laughs. This is no affectation. This is the way Floyd Taylor sings. He came by this gift naturally, legitimately, without any presumption on his part. Floyd pays tribute to his father in each note he sings in the studio, and in every performance on stage. There is no compelling reason for Floyd Taylor to try to sing any differently. In addition to the voice, the physical resemblance to Johnnie is guaranteed to get your attention. Floyd has very large shoes to fill, and he intends to conduct his singing career accordingly, and walk the first mile with the greatest care. His teacher is watching from "Soul Heaven".
