One of Tayside’s best-known singers, John Taylor (John T), has called an end to 60 years in music.
The 74-year-old, who has played with various bands in his native Perth and Dundee during his career, went out with a bang on Sunday at his favourite haunt, Cookies Bar in the Hilltown, where he has sung for the past half dozen or so years.
Among the bands John has performed with were The Vikings before they morphed into the globally-successful Average White Band and he is still good pals with lead singer Alan Gorrie. He has also graced the stage as front man with soul band Green Onions as well as the John T Set.
But an even bigger string to his bow is the fact he has sung with one of the world’s top crooners, Tony Bennett.
”My pal Mike Barile used to own the T-Bone Steak restaurant in Union Street and one night he phoned and told me to get right down there,” John recalled. ”When I got there, sitting in the corner was Tony Bennett. He had been singing at the Caird Hall and I ended up singing half a song with him. I was nearly crying, it was a great memory for me.
”I have a lot of happy memories,” he said.
Born in Perth, he went to Northern District Primary and Perth High School then trained as a painter and decorator. After spending time in the Parachute Regiment, he went back to his trade and moved to Dundee in 1973, where he remained ever since.
Despite the potentially emotional occasion last night, John says he knew it was the right time to stop.
”I had a stroke a couple of years ago and I thought then it was the end. My speech was affected and my left leg and arm sometimes they still are.
”Everything has to come to an end though and it’s the right time to stop. I’m getting tired now.
”I started singing when I was 14 in the choir at school. My first band in Perth was The Sabres and I was also in The Erle Blue Stars, The Aces, Johnny Little and The Giants and the Emeralds.”
A regular at venues like the Angus Hotel, The Rendezvous and The Vines in Seagate, John also supported bands like Billy J Kramer, The Hollies and The Kinks in Edinburgh.
Sunday’s final gig was with Alec Martin, nephew of Dundee soul legend, the late Dougie Martin. John and Alec have been performing together in Cookies for the past seven years.
Looking forward to his belated retirement, John said: ”I’m going to spend some more time with my partner Maureen. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”