R. Dean Taylor

R. Dean Taylor
Background information
Birth nameRichard Dean Taylor
Born(1939-05-11)May 11, 1939
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
DiedJanuary 7, 2022(2022-01-07) (aged 82)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.[1]
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, record producer, musician
InstrumentVocals
Years active1961–1980s
LabelsRare Earth/Motown Records
Websitehttp://www.rdeantaylor.com

Richard Dean Taylor (May 11, 1939 – January 7, 2022) was a Canadian musician, most notable as a singer, songwriter, and record producer for Motown during the 1960s and 1970s.[2] According to Jason Ankeny, Taylor was "one of the most underrated acts ever to record under the Motown aegis."[3]

As a singer, Taylor was best known in the U.S. for his chart-topping 1970 hit "Indiana Wants Me",[4] which hit No. 1 in Cashbox and also reached No. 2 in Canada and No. 2 in the United Kingdom. It peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Taylor became well known in the UK for other hits, including "Gotta See Jane" and "There's a Ghost in My House".

  1. ^ Jennings, Nicholas (January 21, 2022). "Toronto-born singer-songwriter R. Dean Taylor became a surprise Motown star". Theglobeandmail.com. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  2. ^ Nick Krewen, "Motown songwriter, Toronto’s R. Dean Taylor dies at age 82". Toronto Star, January 20, 2022.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference AMG was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Top 50 Canadian Chart". RPM Magazine, Canadian Content, – Volume 13, No. 23, July 25, 1970