Robert Taylor, the former guitarist of Dragon, has passed away aged 74.
His death was announced by bandmate Kerry Jacobson, who remembered the legendary guitarist as his “dear friend of decades” and “musical comrade”.
“Many admired his songwriting and his musical talent and after all these years people would still speak to me with great reverence of his talent and contribution to Australian music,” he wrote in a statement posted to Instagram.
He continued saying that the late guitarist was his “mentor” and “irreplaceable”.
“I admired his loyalty, I treasured his mateship, I valued his consistency and I absolutely loved it when often the phone would ring and he was up for a chat,” he said.
“He had a dry wit, was a keen observer and had a memory like a razor, but mostly he was just one of the good ones.
“That’s what has stuck in my head today – ‘he was one of the good ones’ – and I think that sums it up.”
The band was established in New Zealand, but they were based in Sydney and became one of the most influential bands known for their hits April Sun in Cuba and Are You Old Enough.
Born in Waipukarau, on New Zealand’s North Island, Taylor joined Dragon in 1974. The band rose to success in 1977, and they had various tours and appearances on Australian music TV show Countdown.
AudioCulture, an online digital library for New Zealand music, described the late musician as one of “New Zealand’s best-known lead guitarists”.
“On the recording of the band’s big hit April Sun in Cuba, it is Taylor who plays the chunky two chords on which the song is based,” they said.
“Our condolences to Robert’s family and friends.”
Tributes have also poured in from fans, with one writing: “So saddened by this news Kerry… sorry to learn of the passing of your friend and bandmate.”
“I never knew Robert but his playing was so distinctive I always knew it was his hands on the guitar in every song. Vale Robert,” another added.
Image: Facebook
