Jackson Jambalaya

 Jackson police will have to find someone else to kick in the head after Fingers Taylor passed away yesterday. His family announced on social media: 

Dark was the night, cold was the ground”, November 23, 2023, in Mississippi when Greg “Fingers” Taylor, with harp in hand, departed for his final gig. Surrounded by family, whispering we will ‘miss you so badly,’ he took wing.

Arriving at the Celestial Amphitheater, Greg was greeted by his parents Seth and Doris Taylor backstage.

The Taylor family wishes to express their gratitude to every medical professional and caregiver who provided extraordinary care for Greg.

We deeply appreciate all the love and support from his friends, fans and Parrotheads.

A celebration of life will be held with music, memories, love, and laughter. Date and venue to be announced.

It was always fun whenever he showed up at the Subway.  Sometimes he opened with the Houserockers or King Edward, other times he might not show up til 4 AM but when he did, you knew you were in for some serious jam.  

Some fans posted their memories on social media: 

My Fingers story: Back when Chad xxxxxxx was around 5, he learned that Fingers Taylor would visit the family next door pretty regularly. Chad knew who he was because I raised him right, he was a baby listening to the great prophet Jimmy Buffett and knew all about the greatness of Fingers Taylor.. Chad set out to gain his attention by sitting outside in the front yard and played his harmonica, with gusto, every time that Fingers would pull up.

Fingers had not noticed him and one day came in and threw his harmonica in the trash can and said he wasn't any good at the harmonica, because Fingers never noticed him.

I told him that Fingers probably was thinking about getting on the road or something and he was really good, Chad pulled his harmonica out of the trash and trip tropped off to play something else.

I told the neighbors about it, thinking it was cute.

The next week, Fingers came to visit, Chad was out in the front yard, trying to impress. Fingers came over, told him he was really good and to keep practicing, and then gave him one of his very own Fingers harmonicas.

Chad was OVER THE MOON.

Godspeed Fingers over the River Jordan, tell Jimmy we miss him, and we will miss you as well, dude

Greg "Fingers" Taylor passed away on November 23, 2023 at the age of 71. He played harmonica for Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band from 1974 until 2000. Fingers and Buffett recorded “A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean” in 1973. It marks the first reference to Buffett’s backup band as “The Coral Reefer Band” and was the first album on which long-time Reefers Michael Utley and Taylor played. In 1974 Buffett called Taylor to ask him to tour with him as part of the Coral Reefer Band. Taylor continued to play in the band until 2000.

His son wrote:

My dad passed away peacefully on thanksgiving. If you have a moment to read this I would appreciate it very much. My dad was a special and talented human being. His quick wittiness & musical ability helped him stand out. My dad is one of my biggest influences. He showed my brother & I the Beatles at a young age and I remember listening to those records with him in his van. My dad loved the blues more than just about anyone and he was heavily influenced by the likes of Little Walter & Junior Wells but also Little Richard & Wilson Pickett & many many others. He loved music and thanks in part to him I too love music very much. Dad is a big reason I’m into si-fi as well things like ALIEN & Godzilla. He was a nerd. He used to burn cds for all of his friends & ship them out to their homes. My dad was one of the most talented harmonica players ever & I admire how melodic he played. He loved music with every fiber of his being.

My dad released incredible music of course with the likes of Jimmy Buffet & Larry Raspberry. In my opinion his best stuff was his solo work. I love his albums such as “Harpoon Man” “Hi-Fi-Baby” & “Chest Pains”. He didn’t write too many songs but when he did they were great! My favorite song of his is “pork juice” an instrumental where his harmonica sings.

A little over 10 years ago I got to share the stage with my dad & perform a song with him at a show of his with Chris Gill.. a time I’ll always be grateful for. Alzheimer’s took hold of my dad in 2012 & he fought with it all this time. I luckily was able to pay him a visit last fall along with my Brother & Uncle. My dad remembered all of us and even said our names. What I’ll miss most about my dad is his laugh & smile. Thank you Dad for everything. Also thank you to those who have reached out to me and please note I have a new phone number so if you tried to reach me there I didn’t receive it. Id like to end this post with a quote from my dad that I strongly agree with and reads as follows “y’all quit feuding & fighting. Get rid of your bombs. Try and figure it out. Trim back on them religions a little bit & we won’t have so much trouble” RIP Dad. I love you. #GregFingersTaylor

Ah.... 3 AM, eating Miss Karen's fried chicken, finishing off a bucket of beer, and listening to Fingers and King Edward jam. Good times.