Alvin Taylor started playing drums at the age of 5. He played in various local bands and began his professional career at the age of 14, when he started touring with Little Richard.[1] As part of Little Richard's band, Taylor played with Jimi Hendrix, Billy Preston and opened a show for Elvis Presley. Later he played with PG&E on their number one record, Are You Ready. He turned down Jerry Goldstein's offer to play in the famous funk band War, but joined Eric Burdon's band after Burdon left War.[1]
Taylor performed at the first ever airing of Saturday Night Live on October 11, 1975.[1] In 1976 he played on George Harrison's album Thirty Three & 1/3, recorded at the former Beatle's Friar Park estate in England.[1] Citing the album sessions, Taylor later called Harrison "the very best and my most favorite person" of all the artists with which he had worked.[2] He played on two albums by Billy Preston, Billy Preston (1976)
and A Whole New Thing (1977). He then joined Bob Welch's band and recorded the album French Kiss (1977), which featured the hit single "Ebony Eyes".[3]
In 2011 he began working with Ukulele Ray and regularly plays at the NAMM Show. Beginning in 2013 he toured with "The Gypsy Experience" as well as former Earth, Wind & Fire member, David Lautrec and his group Desert Redux.
In 2024, Taylor released his autobiography, “Drum Major 2 Major Drummer” on Amazon in both paperback and ebook. He also announced his Official Website and has been actively promoting his book through book signings and new social media content on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (Twitter).