Dylan Taite
Encyclopedia
Dylan Taite was New Zealand
's top rock music journalist
. Born in Liverpool
, he began working as a television journalist in New Zealand in the early 1970s. A passionate music fan (and, during his youth, a drummer), he soon began making his reputation with eccentric interviews of top musicians which came as close to gonzo journalism
as New Zealand had known. Among his more notable interview subjects were Bob Marley
and Lou Reed
.
Trying to separate the truth from the myth in Taite's career is difficult, but he was as highly regarded by musicians as by the public and was able to gain access to frank interviews with normally reticent stars. His interviews of Bob Marley
(while playing games of soccer) are regarded as the best the reggae
musician ever gave. Taite is also reputed to have been behind some of the publicity stunts connected with Malcolm McLaren
's time as manager of The Sex Pistols.
One of the ideas Taite is said to have given to Malcolm McClaren was that the Sex Pistols should sign their contract to EMI
outside Buckingham Palace
.
Taite was involved in a car accident in December 2002. Although he did not appear badly injured at the time, his health deteriorated, and he lapsed into a coma the following month. He died on 22 January 2003.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
's top rock music journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
. Born in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, he began working as a television journalist in New Zealand in the early 1970s. A passionate music fan (and, during his youth, a drummer), he soon began making his reputation with eccentric interviews of top musicians which came as close to gonzo journalism
Gonzo journalism
Gonzo journalism is a style of journalism that is written without claims of objectivity, often including the reporter as part of the story via a first-person narrative. The word "gonzo" is believed to be first used in 1970 to describe an article by Hunter S. Thompson, who later popularized the style...
as New Zealand had known. Among his more notable interview subjects were Bob Marley
Bob Marley
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
and Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
.
Trying to separate the truth from the myth in Taite's career is difficult, but he was as highly regarded by musicians as by the public and was able to gain access to frank interviews with normally reticent stars. His interviews of Bob Marley
Bob Marley
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
(while playing games of soccer) are regarded as the best the reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
musician ever gave. Taite is also reputed to have been behind some of the publicity stunts connected with Malcolm McLaren
Malcolm McLaren
Malcolm Robert Andrew McLaren was an English performer, impresario, self-publicist and manager of the Sex Pistols and the New York Dolls...
's time as manager of The Sex Pistols.
One of the ideas Taite is said to have given to Malcolm McClaren was that the Sex Pistols should sign their contract to EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
outside Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
.
Taite was involved in a car accident in December 2002. Although he did not appear badly injured at the time, his health deteriorated, and he lapsed into a coma the following month. He died on 22 January 2003.
Sources
- Dylan Taite R.I.P. 23 January 2003. Accessed 13 August 2007.
- Harmer, Brian. 26 January 2003. Broadcaster Dylan Taite dies WYSIWYG New Zealand News. Accessed 13 August 2007.
- Tizard, Hon Judith. 23 January 2003. NZ culture richer for Dylan Taite’s contribution Accessed 13 August 2007.