Gary Taylor is not the average 'roll out the barrel' or 'oberek' artist. Performing state wide with some regional trips since the 1960s, Taylor found himself in great company while at Handy High School in the early '60s. Able to play saxophones and clarinet, Taylor was a first call artist, getting gigs and rubbing elbows with many of the Michigan polka legends.
Taylor ran his own band coming out of the Pat Lepeak and The Starliners as the '70s progressed, headlining polka festivals and achieving freedom as a multi-talented bandleader. Always in search of 'better mixes' and perfect 'lathe cut vinyl' for his projects, Taylor was able to release one collectible 45 as a headliner as Gary Taylor & The Happy Knights. His stories start at the Art Schiell home recording studio (which ? & The Mysterians put on the map). From there, he ventured to Detroit and around studio to studio, cutting parts and searching for his sound. Having hung up his woodwinds in the '90s, Taylor is an audiophile, listening to all types of music, and reveling in the perfect polka sounds. This is his story...
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