James Taylor

Here's James Taylor in 1969, as he looked when many of his fans first became aware of him with the release of the album "Sweet Baby James."

Among other honors, Taylor has had a bridge named after him in Chapel Hill, N.C. One of his early songs, "Carolina In My Mind," paid homage to the state. Taylor was honored again as the 2006 MusiCares Person of the Year Feb. 6 as part of festivities surrounding the Grammy Awards. The tribute included a concert with such performers as Bonnie Raitt, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen -- and Taylor himself.

Paul McCartney, at right, hands James Taylor his award during induction ceremonies of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame March 6, 2000, at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. Taylor was inducted along with Eric Clapton, Earth, Wind & Fire, the Lovin' Spoonful, the Moonglows, and Bonnie Raitt.

James Taylor, second from left, sings while others play during induction ceremonies at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame March 6, 2000, at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. On stage were, from left, Robbie Robertson, Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, John Sebastian (rear) and Melissa Etheridge.

Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Cassandra Wilson, Shawn Colvin and Elton John perform together during the finale of Turner Network Television's "All-Star Tribute to Joni Mitchell" April 6, 2000, in New York City.

James Taylor performs during the "All-Star Tribute to Joni Mitchell" April 6, 2000, in New York City.

James Taylor and his wife, Caroline "Kim" Smedvig, arrive at the 12th Rainforest Foundation Concert Post-Show Gala at The Pierre Hotel April 21, 2004, in New York City.

Here is another shot of Taylor and wife, Kim, on Nov. 13, 2004. She is his third wife. They married Feb. 18, 2001, and they have two sons, twins Henry and Rufus, delivered with the help of a surrogate mother. Taylor's second wife was Kathryn Walker, to whom he was married from 1985 to 1995.

Father and son, James and Ben Taylor, perform "America the Beautiful" before the start of the men's final between Andre Agassi and Roger Federer in the U.S. Open in Flushing Meadows, Queens, N.Y., Sept. 11, 2005. Ben is one of the two children of Taylor and singer/songwriter Carly Simon, who were married from 1972 to 1983. They also have a daughter, Sally.

John H. Adams, co-founder and chief executive of the Natural Resources Defense Council; James Taylor and actor Leonardo DiCaprio pose for a photo during the 7th Annual "Forces of Nature" Gala Benefit in New York City March 8, 2005.

James Taylor rehearses before the election night event of John Kerry Nov. 2, 2004, in Boston.

James Taylor performs at a fundraiser for Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore and running mate Joe Lieberman in Boston, Mass., Sept. 13, 2000.

James Taylor arrives at the benefit evening for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research at New York's Waldorf Astoria Nov. 13, 2004.

James Taylor performs the National Anthem before game two of the 2004 World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox Oct. 24, 2004, at Fenway Park in Boston.

James Taylor performs during Lincoln Centers Third Annual Spring Gala "Teach Me Tonight" June 7, 2004, at the Apollo Theater in New York.

In July 2005, Taylor performed on The Early Show on CBS, singing three songs and telling co-anchor Harry Smith, "It is a remarkable thing. I don't know any other life than this. . I suppose in a way, I've gotten used to what it is that I do. But every once in a while, I get a chance to step back from it and take a look at it. It's really quite remarkable."