Vernon Taylor has sadly passed away at the age of 88. He rose to fame in the 1950s as a country and rockabilly artist. He had been fighting a long-standing battle with dementia. Shockingly, Vernon passed away one day after his brother, Luther, per Suggest.
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"Rest in peace Vernon Taylor," Kevin Booth wrote on Facebook. "He passed away a few days ago. One of the last Sun artists. I had the honor of doing a show with him and Ronnie Dove many years ago. He was a very nice man and a great performer. My prayers for his family and loved ones."
At age 15, Vernon had formed his first band, The Nighthawks. It was comprised of Vernon and some of his classmates. Within a few years, the group expanded into a five-piece. The band got its first taste of legitimate exposure when performing in between sets for Curly Smith.
"The band also hosted a Saturday night television program on Washington, D.C., station WTTG from 1957 to 1960," Suggest reports.
Throughout that period on time, Vernon was also working on his solo career. He signed with Dot Records, leading to the release of his first singles, namely "Losing Game"/"I've Got the Blues" and "Why Must You Leave Me." However, neither release found much success.
Vernon Taylor's Music Career Bounced Back in the Late 80s
After failing to break through with his early single releases, Vernon stepped away from the music scene. However, in 1989, he found himself performing at a benefit concert for Charlie Feathers, a fellow rockabilly artist.
"The appearance sparked a renewed music career that included performances in the United Kingdom and the release of new recordings," Suggest noted. "His comeback introduced his music to a new generation of rockabilly fans while renewing interest in his Sun and Dot recordings."
Vernon's career then took off, positioning him as a pioneer within the rockabilly genre. His music will continue to be used as inspiration for future generations of artists, as it has been for countless musicians in recent years.
Currently, there's no information regarding his impending funeral. That information will undoubtedly remain private for family and close friends.
