Acclaimed harmonica player Greg “Fingers” Taylor, best known for his decades-long partnership with Jimmy Buffet, died on Nov. 23 at the Mississippi State Hospital. He was 71 years old.
Taylor was born on June 3, 1952, in Wichita, Kansas, the first of three children. His father, Seth, was a pharmacist, and his mother, Doris, was an accomplished photographer.
The family moved to Jackson, Mississippi, in the 1960s, where he formed the Buttermilk Blues Band in high school.
Taylor recorded five solo albums and also released two compilations during his career. In addition to playing with Buffett, Taylor was a member of Larry Raspberry and the Highsteppers.
He battled Alzheimer’s and left behind his sons Steven Taylor, Hunter Taylor, and Richard Rierson, his sister Melanie Johnston, and his brother Brent Taylor. He is also survived by his nieces, nephews, many cousins, and relatives.
Buffett died on Sept. 1.