Vernon Taylor, the 1950s rockabilly musician, has died. He was 88.
An online obituary lists the artist born Vernon Walton Alderton’s death as July 12, noting he died after a lengthy battle with dementia.
Born on a farm in Layhill, Maryland, a small town southwest of Baltimore, Taylor got his start in his high school band The Nighthawks, which performed with Curley Smith, later of Boston fame. The band also had a stint on an hour-long local TV show in Washington, D.C. He signed with the record label Dot Records, releasing the singles “Losing Game” and “Why Must You Leave Me” in the late 1950s, which weren’t commercial hits, before the label and musician parted ways.
After a performance on “American Bandstand,” he was signed by rock and roll producer and legendary Sun Records founder Sam Phillips, where he would release two singles, including “Today Is A Blue Day” from Elvis songwriter Jack Clement. Neither were massive hits at the time but have gone on to be revered by rockabilly fans.
Taylor left the music business and, according to his obituary, found work in printing, though he continued making music. A 1989 benefit concert led to a career resurgence, followed by a rerelease of his previous music and new music released by Run Wild Records for the album “Daddy’s Rockin,” in 1999.
Taylor retired from printing at 79 due to struggles with anxiety and dementia, per his obituary.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda Alderton, three children and five grandchildren.
In a Facebook tribute shared July 15, singer Kevin Booth recognized Taylor as “one of the last Sun artists” and remembered playing a show with the musician and pop-country star Ronnie Dove. He called Taylor a “very nice man and a great performer.”
Nostalgia rock band The Fabulous Hubcaps also paid tribute, recalling Taylor inducting them into the Southern Legends Entertainment and Performing Arts Hall of Fame.
“From that day on, a long and lasting friendship ensued between Vernon, his beautiful wife, Brenda, and The Fabulous Hubcaps. Thank you, Vernon …. for this great honor,” the group wrote on Facebook. “Vernon …. we’re sure they welcomed you into Rock and Roll Heaven with open arms and big wide hugs! Rock on friend.”
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