Died On This Date (August 11, 1996) Mel Taylor / Drummer For The Ventures
themusicsover Mel Taylor
September 24, 1933 – August 11, 1996
Mel Taylor is best remembered as the second drummer of surf instrumental pioneers, the Ventures. Influenced by Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa and Louis Bellson, Taylor’s early career consisted of playing with Boris Pickett and Herb Alpert before replacing Howie Johnson in the Ventures. The year was 1962 and Taylor would stay with the Ventures on and off for the next thirty years. He passed away as a result of cancer on August 11, 1996.