Original QUARTZ Singer Mike “Taffy” Taylor Passes
September 28, 2016, 7 years ago
Former Quartz vocalist Mike “Taffy” Taylor died on September 27th.
The band issued the following statement: “It is with heavy hearts, much sadness, sorrow and regret that we announce the passing of our very dear dear friend and original founder band member Mike “Taffy” Taylor earlier today. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies and condolences go out to his family and to all who were lucky enough to have met and known him. LEGEND.”
The Birmingham, England-based heavy metal band date back to 1974 and released their self-titled on Jet records in 1977, which was produced by Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi.
Quartz were considered to be at the forefront of the NWOBHM boom at the end of the 1970's. The band toured heavily during this time, playing the Reading Festival three times (1976, 1977 and 1980) and touring with the likes of Iron Maiden, Saxon, UFO, Gillan and Rush. Late 1979 saw Geoff Nicholls leave the band to join Black Sabbath.
Taylor’s last album with the band was 1980’s sophomore effort, Stand Up And Fight,, featuring the singles 'Stoking Up The Fires Of Hell' and the title track.
In the summer of 1981 Taylor left Quartz to focus on his own project Taffy Taylor’s Big Roll Band.
Quartz are due to release their fourth full-length studio album Fear No Evil on October 28th via High Roller Records.
