Does R. Dean Taylor Still Live Among Us or Is He a Ghost In The House?

Over the past several days, there have been unsubstantiated reports that Canadian born singer-songwriter and producer R. Dean Taylor, best known for his 1970 hit "Indiana Wants Me", had passed away along with a ball of confusion. 

Normally if there has been a death hoax, the wronged party makes himself known as was the case with another Canadian music legend Gordon Lightfoot a little over a decade ago. But R. Dean Taylor is another matter. Neither he nor anyone who knows have officially corrected the record or have confirmed the story. Taylor does have an official website, but by the looks of things it hasn't been updated in 15 years. For the heck of it, I sent an email to them but have not heard back. Who knows? Maybe he's been dead for years. 

Dead or alive, R. Dean Taylor is worthy of broader recognition. Taylor began singing country music in the early 1950's in his native Toronto at the tender of age of 12 before making the transition to rock 'n roll. In 1963, Taylor was among the first white artists signed by Motown. Working primarily as a songwriter, Taylor's best known contributions were co-writing "All I Need" by The Temptations with Eddie Holland and Frank Wilson and "I'll Turn to Stone" by The Four Tops with Holland-Dozier-Holland. Taylor would later become part of The Clan. No, not that Klan!!! The Clan consisted of Taylor, Wilson, Pam Sawyer and Deke Richards. The foursome co-wrote "Love Child" and "I'm Livin' in Shame" for Diana Ross & The Supremes. 

At the same, Taylor was releasing his own material with limited success with songs like "There's a Ghost In My House" and "Gotta See Jane" although both had some success in the U.K. Although with "There's a Ghost in My House", that U.K. hit didn't come until 1974 - seven years after its initial release.

When Taylor had his biggest success with "Indiana Wants Me" by this time Motown had established the Rare Earth label for white artists like Taylor, Rare Earth, The Pretty Things, Stoney & Meatloaf (yes, that Meatloaf). Taylor only recorded one album for Rare Earth called I Think, Therefore I Am. Other singles like "Ain't It a Sad Thing" and "Taos New Mexico" were less successful, but would become staples of Canadian oldies radio. After the renewed interest in the U.K. for "There's a Ghost in My House" by the Northern Soul crowd, Taylor recorded an album for Polydor called L.A. Sunset targeted largely to the U.K. and the Netherlands releasing singles like "Window Shopping" and "Don't Fool Around" (the latter of which earned him an invite on Top of the Pops) with limited success. Taylor's recording career would conclude in the early 1980's and, for all intents and purposes, he pulled a Bobbie Gentry and just disappeared from the public eye.

Naturally, I hope R. Dean Taylor is still with us. He has some interesting musical stories to share particularly about his time at Motown. If he wants to maintain his privacy that is fine. All I would ask is that he send a signal. Perhaps a siren.