B. E. Taylor

William Edward "B. E." Taylor (March 18, 1951 – August 7, 2016)[1] was the lead singer of the pop rock band B. E. Taylor Group and a solo artist. The group's 1983 single, "Vitamin L", reached No. 66 on the Billboard 100 singles chart.

B. E. Taylor
Birth nameWilliam Edward Taylor
Also known asBilly Eddie, B.E.
BornMarch 18, 1951
Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died (aged 65)
Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, musician
Instrument(s)Acoustic guitar, vocals
Years active1981–2016
LabelsMCA, Epic, First String Records (B. E. Taylor Group)
Chrishae Records
Websitehttp://www.betaylor.com

Life and career

Hailing from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, he was the eldest of three sons of Bill and Betty Taylor. Born William Edward, he was called 'Billy Eddie' by his mother, which he eventually shortened to B. E.[2] While in high school, he formed B.E. Taylor and The Establishment.

In the early 1980s, Taylor joined with three former members of the progressive rock band Crack the Sky - Rick Witkowski (guitar), Joe Macre (bass), and Joey D'Amico (drums) - along with keyboardist Nat Kerr to form the B.E. Taylor Group. The group generated some noise during the first half of the 1980s, particularly in 1984, when they scored MTV video rotation and a Billboard regional No. 1 hit with the song "Vitamin L."[2] Although the band ceased recording together after their 1986 album Our World, Taylor did continue to collaborate with Witkowski throughout his career.

Taylor moved to Wheeling, West Virginia in the mid-1980s.[3]

In 1991, Taylor, a dedicated Christian, contributed a reworking of “Silent Night” to a local radio station’s Christmas compilation, launching his second career as a holiday performer.

Taylor went on to record five solo albums and developed a following in the adult contemporary market with his annual Christmas tours. He had also performed for many popular television programs in the 1990s, including the award-winning LightMusic,[4] for which he was the music director, Nickelodeon, and its night-time programming block, Nick At Nite.[5]

In 2008, Taylor was awarded the Duquesne University Lifetime Achievement Award.[2]

On September 10, 2021 B.E. Taylor was inducted into the Wheeling Hall of Fame in a ceremony, celebration and dinner at the WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, WV.

Later years and death

In March 2007, Taylor was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. During the years of treatment, he released the album B. E. Taylor Christmas 3 and a concert DVD, completed eight Christmas tours, took part in Valentine and summer concerts.[6]

He died on August 7, 2016, aged 65 from complications of the tumor.[7] He was survived by his wife Veronica (née DeBlasis) Taylor and two children, B.C. and Tahnee.[7]

Discography

Albums

Singles

Albums

Singles
  • "This Time" (1997) - #29 Gavin Adult Contemporary
  • "Love You All Over Again" (1997) - #28 Gavin Adult Contemporary
  • "Let There Be Peace On Earth" (2002)

References
  1. Mervis, Scott (August 8, 2016). "Singer B.E. Taylor, of 'Vitamin L' and Christmas Tour fame, dies at 65". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  2. Tri-state area loses music legend B.E. Taylor, WTOV 9. August 8, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  3. Bethel, Betsy (August 9, 2016). "B.E. Taylor Leaves A Legacy of Love in the Ohio Valley". The Intelligencer and Wheeling News Register. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  4. Passing of Tom Green, Pioneer Contemporary Christian Broadcaster Christian Connection. Retrieved 2006-12-03
  5. Who the "L" are we? Archived 2007-04-04 at the Wayback Machine Studio L Retrieved 2006-12-03
  6. Bethel, Betsy (August 8, 2016). "B.E. Taylor, 65, Dies". The Intelligencer and Wheeling News Register. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  7. Pittsburgh musician B.E. Taylor dies WTAE. August 8, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  8. "Billboard Hot 100: March 10, 1984". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  9. "Billboard Hot 100: May 31, 1986". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
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