Bobby Taylor (born February 18 1936) & the Vancouvers were an Canadian soul band, signed to the Motown label during the late 1960s. As their name attests to, they were from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Predecessive names for the band included The Shades, Little Daddie & the Bachelors, and Four Niggers & a Chink [1].

Taylor served as the group's lead vocalist and record producer. The other Vancouvers included guitarists Tommy Chong and Wes Henderson, keyboardist Robbie King, bassist Eddie Patterson, and drummer Ted Lewis. Chong was Chinese and Scotch-Irish, the other members were Black Canadian. In later years, Chong, who co-wrote songs such as "Does Your Mama Know About Me" for the band, would became famous as one-half of comedy duo Cheech and Chong.

Besides his work with his own band, Taylor is credited for having discovered Motown pop sensation The Jackson 5, along with Gladys Knight. Taylor was the one who brought the group to Motown and Berry Gordy after the teenage act opened for a Vancouvers show. He also produced the group's first Motown recordings, including their famous cover of The Miracles' "Who's Lovin' You", before Gordy created production team The Corporation™ and moved the Jackson brothers to California to record pop hits such as "I Want You Back" and "ABC".

Discography

Singles

• 1968: "Does Your Mama Know About Me" (US #29)
• 1968: "I Am Your Man" (US #85)
• 1968: "Malinda" (US #48)

Albums

• 1968: Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers
• 1969: Taylor Made Soul