R. Dean Taylor Tragic Cause of Death Hinted at: Former Member of Motown Collective ‘The Clan’ Dead at 82

Canadian singer and songwriter R. Dean Taylor reportedly passed away at the age of 82, his wife confirmed.

According to reports, Taylor died on Friday, January 7, 2022. A few days later, numerous social media posts referred to his death with no information that could confirm. Best Classic Bands, then, recently received a word from music journalist Larry LeBlanc that the Canadian singer's longtime wife, Janee, confirmed his passing.

They also revealed that the singer "had been briefly hospitalized a year ago with COVID-19," and had stayed home ever since, under hospice care.

R. Dean Taylor's Career

According to the mentioned source, Richard Dean Taylor was born on May 11, 1939. He started his music career performing at open-air country and western shows in Toronto, where he was raised. After making multiple records, he went for Motown auditions and signed as a songwriter.

In the late '60s, he further became a part of Motown's collective group of songwriters known as The Clan. They were notably known as the masters behind two songs for The Supremes with the songs, "Love Child," which earned the top spot of Billboard Hot 100 in 1968, and "I'm Living in Shame," placing eighth the following year.

Taylor also earned recognition as he worked under Motown's Rare Earth label due to the 1970 track he wrote, produced, and sang, "Indiana Wants Me," released in 1970. It has also peaked at number five on Hot 100 charts, placed first on Cash Box and second on Record World.

Taylor has made a name for himself, working for her co-Motown artists including, the Four Tops, the Temptations, and "A Little Bit For Sandy" TV actor Paul Petersen, as per source.

Apart from charting multiple times in the US, the famed singer's only significant follow-up was his 1974 re-release in the UK of his 1966 collaborated single, "There's a Ghost in My House," which he co-wrote with Holland-Dozier-Holland.

Fans have shared their tributes regarding the singer since the early weeks of January 2022. One fan tweeted, "One of my ten favourite 7" singles of all time. No messing about... does the business in well under three minutes, and you immediately want to put the needle back to the start once again. RIP R. Dean Taylor. What a songwriter, what a performer, what a tune."

This was followed by another saying, "It's been confirmed that @motown star R. Dean Taylor has left this mortal coil. A great songwriter and a fine recording artist in his own right. #RIPRDeanTaylor"

May his soul rest in peace.

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Motown