Left us on this day (Aug. 11) in 1996: Mel Taylor (cancer, age 62), best remembered as the second & longtime drummer with surf instrumental pioneers, The Ventures (1962-96); influenced by Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa & Louis Bellson, he played with Bobby Boris Pickett & Herb Alpert early in his career before replacing Howie Johnson in The Ventures in 1962; he would remain with the group on & off for the next 30 years; with over 100 million records sold, the group became the best-selling instrumental band of all time; Mel released the solo album Mel Taylor & The Magics In Action in 1965; in the early-70s, the LPs 007 James Bond, Sand, Sea & Love, Mel Taylor in Japan & Roll over Beethoven followed in the early-70s; he formed his own band called Mel Taylor & The Dynamics (1972–1973) when The Ventures became a nostalgia act; after Mels passing, his son Leon Taylor replaced him & has been The Ventures drummer ever since; the group was inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame in 2008…
Posted on: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 22:07:51 +0000
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