"Chad Taylor, former Live guitarist, shares his struggles in maintaining the innovation, concert after concert, all while recounting his encounters with his idol Steve Howe"
Chad Taylor, the co-founding guitarist of the band Live and current frontman of Chad Taylor & Friends, recently had an extraordinary encounter with his musical hero, Steve Howe, the legendary guitarist of Yes. This dinner meeting offered Taylor a unique opportunity to delve into Yes's history, discuss the challenges of maintaining musical innovation, and explore the difficulties of staying musically sharp over the years.
### Discussion Points from the Dinner
1. **Yes and Musical Influence**: - Taylor, who grew up with Yes' music being a significant part of his ethos, shared that he was particularly drawn to Yes after hearing "Owner Of A Lonely Heart." This song led him to explore other bands like Asia. - During the dinner, Taylor likely appreciated hearing firsthand about the band's evolution and the creative process behind their most famous songs from the man who contributed significantly to Yes's iconic sound.
2. **Musical Innovation**: - Yes is renowned for pushing the boundaries of progressive rock, and Steve Howe has been a key figure in this innovation. The conversation might have touched on specific albums or tours where Yes introduced new musical techniques, such as the use of synthesizers or complex instrumental arrangements. - Taylor would have gained valuable insights into the band's approach to experimentation and how they managed to stay ahead of the curve in terms of musical composition and performance.
3. **Maintaining Musical Chops with Age**: - Steve Howe shared insights into the challenges of maintaining musical excellence over decades. This would include the physical demands of touring and the creative pressures of producing consistent, high-quality music. - Taylor would have gained valuable advice on how to balance the demands of a long musical career while continuing to innovate and perform at a high level.
The dinner provided Chad Taylor with a chance to learn from a legend in the field of progressive rock, gaining both inspiration and practical insights into the music industry. Taylor found it inspiring to talk to Steve Howe about the adjustments they both made to their playing styles as they aged, and he finds Trevor Horn, another significant figure in Yes, to be privately introverted, similar to Steve Howe.
Trevor Horn, credited with inventing the sound of the 1980s, is considered a dream collaborator by Chad Taylor. However, specific details about Horn's contributions to Yes are not provided in this paragraph.
[1] Asia is a British supergroup formed in 1981 by Yes members Geoff Downes and Steve Howe, along with John Wetton, Carl Palmer, and John Payne.
- Chad Taylor divulged how Yes' music, particularly "Owner Of A Lonely Heart", played a substantial role in shaping his musical journey, leading him to discover other bands like Asia.
- In discussing the narrative of Yes with his musical idol Steve Howe, Taylor likely found it fascinating to learn about the creative processes behind their famous songs.
- Steve Howe, with his significant contribution to Yes's iconic sound, might have engaged Taylor in a conversation about the band's groundbreaking use of synthesizers and complex instrumental arrangements.
- Chad Taylor gleaned precious insights into maintaining musical prowess over the years from Steve Howe, who shared the physical demands and creative pressures of touring and producing quality music.
- During the dinner conversation, Taylor found it intriguing to discuss the adjustments they both made to their playing styles as they aged, discovering that Trevor Horn, another notable figure in Yes, shares Steve Howe's reserved nature.
- Trevor Horn, renowned for pioneering the sound of the 1980s, tantalizes Chad Taylor with his potential as a dream collaborator, yet specific details about Horn's impact on Yes remain undisclosed.
- Understanding the advice from a legend in progressive rock like Steve Howe, and inspired by the shared experiences with Trevor Horn, Chad Taylor looks forward to applying these insights in his own career and musical journey in rock entertainment, possibly leading to interviews and live performances.
