Paul Taylor (Winger)
Encyclopedia
Paul Taylor formerly credited as Paul Howorwitz, is an American musician, who is best known as the guitarist/keyboardist with the 1980s
and early 90s
glam metal
band, Winger (1987–1992, 2001–2003). Although he is perhaps most frequently associated with Winger, Taylor has also played with numerous other prominent musicians, including future Sammy Hagar
and Boston guitarist Gary Pihl
(in his early days), Eric Martin (solo artist and future Mr. Big
frontman), Steve Perry
of Journey
, and Tommy Shaw
.
Prior to forming Winger, Taylor and Kip Winger were both playing with Alice Cooper
's backing band on the tours for Cooper's mid-80s
albums, Constrictor
and Raise Your Fist and Yell
. During this time, the two began composing songs together and, while on break from touring, recorded what would become the first Winger demos. Whereas Kip left Alice's band prior to the European leg of the 1987 tour, Paul remained on board for the European dates. However, in the midst of touring Europe, Paul received a call from Kip, who had been working with future Winger lead guitarist Reb Beach
recording more demos in New York
, informing him that he had gotten a record deal. After the European tour was finished, Paul flew straight back to New York
, and the Winger project (initially known as "Sahara") began rehearsing and recording their debut album.
Taylor remained in Winger throughout the band's most successful period, which included the two smash albums, Winger
and In the Heart of the Young
. However, after the tour supporting the latter album ended in 1991, Taylor left the band, citing exhaustion and a desire to write and get involved with other projects.
Throughout the 1990s
, Taylor immersed himself in numerous other projects, perhaps the most prolific of which was recording and touring with Steve Perry for his 1994 solo album. In 1998, he returned to the Alice Cooper band (this time, alongside fellow former Winger guitarist Reb Beach), and once that tour ended, he embarked on a brief tour with Tommy Shaw
.
Winger reunited in 2001 to record new material for a Greatest Hits album. Although it is unclear whether Taylor participated in these recording sessions, he did later join the band on the supporting tour.
Though Paul was asked by Kip Winger
to rejoin the band again to work on their 2006 reunion album, he declined because he was already involved with other projects.
More recently, Taylor has become involved in composing music for television series programs and has also been pursuing his passion for photography.
1980s
File:1980s decade montage.png|thumb|400px|From left, clockwise: The first Space Shuttle, Columbia, lifted off in 1981; American President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev eased tensions between the two superpowers, leading to the end of the Cold War; The Fall of the Berlin Wall in...
and early 90s
1990s
File:1990s decade montage.png|From left, clockwise: The Hubble Space Telescope floats in space after it was taken up in 1990; American F-16s and F-15s fly over burning oil fields and the USA Lexie in Operation Desert Storm, also known as the 1991 Gulf War; The signing of the Oslo Accords on...
glam metal
Glam metal
Glam metal is a subgenre of hard rock and heavy metal that arose in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United States, particularly on the Los Angeles Sunset Strip music scene...
band, Winger (1987–1992, 2001–2003). Although he is perhaps most frequently associated with Winger, Taylor has also played with numerous other prominent musicians, including future Sammy Hagar
Sammy Hagar
Sam Roy "Sammy" Hagar , also known as The Red Rocker, is an American rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Also sings Country Music....
and Boston guitarist Gary Pihl
Gary Pihl
Gary Pihl is a guitarist most famous for playing for Sammy Hagar and the band Boston.At his home recording studio, Pihl worked with the founding members of a band that would eventually be called "Night Ranger." They recorded demos for their first and second albums at his home studio...
(in his early days), Eric Martin (solo artist and future Mr. Big
Mr. Big (band)
Mr. Big is an American rock supergroup, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1988. The band is a quartet composed of Eric Martin , Paul Gilbert , Billy Sheehan , and Pat Torpey ; Mr. Big also included Richie Kotzen, a reputable blues-based guitarist who replaced Gilbert in 1999...
frontman), Steve Perry
Steve Perry (musician)
Stephen Ray "Steve" Perry is an American singer and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Journey from 1977–1987 and 1995–1998. Perry had a successful solo career throughout the late 1980s and early '90s.Perry's voice has garnered acclaim from musical peers and music...
of Journey
Journey (band)
Journey is an American rock band formed in 1973 in San Francisco by former members of Santana. The band has gone through several phases; its strongest commercial success occurred between the 1978 and 1987, after which it temporarily disbanded...
, and Tommy Shaw
Tommy Shaw
Tommy Roland Shaw is an American guitarist, best known for his work with the rock band Styx. In between his stints with Styx, he has played with the supergroup Damn Yankees and Shaw Blades, and has released several solo albums....
.
Prior to forming Winger, Taylor and Kip Winger were both playing with Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
's backing band on the tours for Cooper's mid-80s
1980s
File:1980s decade montage.png|thumb|400px|From left, clockwise: The first Space Shuttle, Columbia, lifted off in 1981; American President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev eased tensions between the two superpowers, leading to the end of the Cold War; The Fall of the Berlin Wall in...
albums, Constrictor
Constrictor (album)
Constrictor is the 16th studio album by rock musician Alice Cooper released on September 22 1986. After retiring from the music industry after the release of DaDa, Cooper remained in seclusion for three years. He starred in Monster Dog, a horror film for which he wrote two songs. He also guest...
and Raise Your Fist and Yell
Raise Your Fist and Yell
Raise Your Fist and Yell is the 17th studio album by rock musician Alice Cooper released on September 5th 1987. It features the track "Prince of Darkness", which is featured very briefly in the John Carpenter film of the same name, in which Cooper has a cameo as a murderous vagrant. The song can...
. During this time, the two began composing songs together and, while on break from touring, recorded what would become the first Winger demos. Whereas Kip left Alice's band prior to the European leg of the 1987 tour, Paul remained on board for the European dates. However, in the midst of touring Europe, Paul received a call from Kip, who had been working with future Winger lead guitarist Reb Beach
Reb Beach
Reb Beach is an American rock guitarist. He is a member of the bands Winger and Whitesnake...
recording more demos in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, informing him that he had gotten a record deal. After the European tour was finished, Paul flew straight back to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, and the Winger project (initially known as "Sahara") began rehearsing and recording their debut album.
Taylor remained in Winger throughout the band's most successful period, which included the two smash albums, Winger
Winger (album)
Track 11, "Higher and Higher", was a CD bonus track. It wasn't on cassette copies of the album. It was also the B-side of the "Madalaine" single. In this day and age, just as CDs were beginning to become popular, it was not uncommon to include a bonus track like this.-Band:* Kip Winger – bass...
and In the Heart of the Young
In the Heart of the Young
-Singles:*"Can't Get Enuff" / "In the Day We'll Never See"*"Miles Away / "Rainbow in the Rose"*"Easy Come Easy Go" / "Battle Stations"At least two more songs were recorded during the In the Heart of the Young sessions, but "All I Ever Wanted" and "Never" did not make it to the final album because...
. However, after the tour supporting the latter album ended in 1991, Taylor left the band, citing exhaustion and a desire to write and get involved with other projects.
Throughout the 1990s
1990s
File:1990s decade montage.png|From left, clockwise: The Hubble Space Telescope floats in space after it was taken up in 1990; American F-16s and F-15s fly over burning oil fields and the USA Lexie in Operation Desert Storm, also known as the 1991 Gulf War; The signing of the Oslo Accords on...
, Taylor immersed himself in numerous other projects, perhaps the most prolific of which was recording and touring with Steve Perry for his 1994 solo album. In 1998, he returned to the Alice Cooper band (this time, alongside fellow former Winger guitarist Reb Beach), and once that tour ended, he embarked on a brief tour with Tommy Shaw
Tommy Shaw
Tommy Roland Shaw is an American guitarist, best known for his work with the rock band Styx. In between his stints with Styx, he has played with the supergroup Damn Yankees and Shaw Blades, and has released several solo albums....
.
Winger reunited in 2001 to record new material for a Greatest Hits album. Although it is unclear whether Taylor participated in these recording sessions, he did later join the band on the supporting tour.
Though Paul was asked by Kip Winger
Kip Winger
Charles Frederick Kip Winger is an American rock musician, both a member of the hard rock band, Winger, and a solo artist.-Early days:Winger was born in Denver, Colorado to parents who were both jazz musicians....
to rejoin the band again to work on their 2006 reunion album, he declined because he was already involved with other projects.
More recently, Taylor has become involved in composing music for television series programs and has also been pursuing his passion for photography.