Talk:Steve Taylor

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Contents 1 Which came first? 2 Discography: Singles 3 Whelchel connection? 4 Merger Suggestion 5 Weasel Words

[edit] Which came first?

Did Swaggart write about Taylor before Taylor wrote the song about him or was it the other way around? Dates would be helpful. --Walter Görlitz 20:00, 3 February 2006 (UTC)

Since "Guilty By Association" was on his original demo tapes, I would suggest that there is little chance that Swaggart knew about Taylor before this song was written and as such the song predates the book and as such the reference should change. --Walter Görlitz 00:41, 4 February 2006 (UTC)

Finished the research. According to, an interview by Taylor the book in question is Religious Rock 'n' Roll - A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing (ASIN 0935113053) and was published in June 1987, at least two full years after the release of Meltdown (1984). Rev. Swagart was reacting to Taylor's jab, not the other way around. --Walter Görlitz 00:58, 4 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Discography: Singles

In the discography, would a subsection of singles be of interest? Steve released some 12" dance singles ("Meltdown" and that multi-single with Sheila Walsh come to mind) and I know there were two or three CD singles with Chagall. I'll go dig up the info and add it if I don't hear anything to the contrary. Mitchell k dwyer 01:09, 8 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Whelchel connection?

I know former Facts of Life star Lisa Whelchel appeared in Taylor's Meltdown video, but I remembered reading something about his writing a song (I believe the one referenced was "Good Girl") for her All Because of You album later in 1984. Am I correct on the latter point?

205.244.108.112 22:03, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

I just looked on the Christian Music Archive site [1], checked the pages for both Taylor and Whelchel's album, and it doesn't say anything about that.

WAVY 10 15:29, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Merger Suggestion

I submit that the Chagall Guevara article be merged into this one. Basically, Taylor made a "band" out of Nashville session musicians, seeking to crossover into secular music. They made one album that nobody bought. The only people who care about this "group" are Taylor fans, as the band was an extension of the performer. Yakuman 04:18, 12 March 2007 (UTC)

Another issue: Why did a Christian performer, who created an image of iconoclastic urban prophet for himself, name his "band" after a Communist revolutionary who believed that Christianity is the opiate of the masses? Yakuman 22:01, 12 March 2007 (UTC)

I find myself less inclined to take this merger suggestion seriously, since you used more space for trolling than actually supporting your recommendation. Chagall Guevara was heavily Steve Taylor's creation, but not exclusively. I recommend they remain separate, as the other band members did contribute, and all but one have their own articles. Sxeptomaniac 22:58, 12 March 2007 (UTC)

Why do anything artistic? Why write "Jesus Is For Losers" (lyrics) and expect to sell it to Christians? Some reacted very poorly (see here), others see the value of the work. No, CG its a seperate project, hearing Steve talk about it and his goals make that clear. Dan, the CowMan 23:17, 12 March 2007 (UTC)

I'll third the "no" vote. How the band was formed and their goals aren't really relevant; they were clearly a separate artistic group. "The only people who care..." doesn't seem like an appeal that has any place on Wikipedia. It doesn't matter if nobody cares, but whether it meets the notability guidelines. Maybe it doesn't, I don't know; my point is that just because "nobody cares now" is not a valid reason in itself to not be included.

The "Another issue" you raised is not relevant to the merger discussion. – gRegor (talk • contribs) 05:02, 13 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Weasel Words

"Squint Entertainment lost its financial backing in 2001 and Taylor was forced out of the company."

What does "forced out" mean? Was he fired or did he resign voluntarily? I don't remember it having a separate existence except as another failed vehicle for Taylor's brainstorms. Yakuman 04:40, 12 March 2007 (UTC)

"separate existence"? It was a subdivision of Word Records I believe, and there was a restructuring of that label which led to Squint being folded. That's what I recall from an interview I read, it's been a while though; I'll try to find it. – gRegor (talk • contribs) 08:24, 12 March 2007 (UTC)

Look, record companies are endlessly restucturing. That's the business. The point is Word, which I assume was controlled by Gaylord, gave Taylor an office, a brand name and some capital to create some product. What he created was yet another of his projects that didn't go anywhere. So Gaylord/Word pulled the plug, which would mean he was fired. That's a POV read of history, but so is not letting Taylor be blamed for his failures. The demise of Chagall Guevara was blamed on "restructuring" too. What a coincidence! I notice that the article for The Second Chance doesn't mention box office receipts, so I wonder if this project followed the trend as well.Yakuman

I have been researching this lately, it seems he had a conflict with an exec at Word. See here. Dan, the CowMan 23:17, 12 March 2007 (UTC)

And according to this article, Chagall Guevara's breakup was more due to internal conflicts and an attempt to be released from their contract with MCA. So, barring more information from somewhere else, the "financial failure" angle isn't exactly right, either. Chagall Guevara didn't sell well, but the artists on Squint records (Sixpence None the Richer in particular) were actually quite popular.

So, it's not exactly "weasel words" as much as an oversimplification of a complicated series of events. There also weren't many details being sent out at the time. Sxeptomaniac 23:59, 12 March 2007 (UTC)

So, have much of an axe to grind against Steve Taylor? Heh. I don't really care that much, I was just clarifying what you meant, or the point you were trying to get across. It seems you want the article(s) to point out how repeatedly he has been a failure? Ok, as long as it's well sourced. – gRegor (talk • contribs) 04:49, 13 March 2007 (UTC)