Taylor York

The rhythm-turned-lead guitarist and co-writer who helped keep Paramore together through lineup changes.

Taylor Benjamin York (born December 17, 1989) is an American musician, best known as the rhythm guitarist for the rock band Paramore. He joined Paramore after the departure of Hunter Lamb in 2007 as their rhythm guitarist and was officially acknowledged as an official member on June 15, 2009. After Josh Farro's departure in 2010, York became the band's lead guitarist. He has taken part in the writing and recording of their albums since, and along with Hayley Williams, won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song at the 2015 ceremony for "Ain't It Fun."

Quick Facts

Birth name

Taylor Benjamin York

Born

17 December 1989

Birthplace

Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.

Occupation

Musician
songwriter
record producer

Years active

2004–2005; 2007–present

Instrument

Guitar
drum
keyboards
vocals

Genre

Pop-punk
emo
pop rock
alternative rock
power pop
new wave

Current member of

Paramore

Lore & Background

York was born the youngest of three boys on December 17, 1989, and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. His father, Peter York, is a guitarist and taught the instrument to both Taylor and his elder brother Justin. York had been in a band with the Farro brothers (Josh and Zac) months before the two met Hayley Williams. Zac Farro introduced York to Williams at a high school football game, and they hit it off right away. York did not take part in writing songs for Paramore's debut album, All We Know Is Falling, and is not credited on that album. The bonus track "O Star" was written around 2005, when York and Williams were approximately 15–16 years old, not just after they met (they met around 2002). After Josh and Zac Farro left the band, Williams said that she was sure York would leave the band as well. York said in interview: "When it went down, it was hard for me to make a decision. I just wasn't ready. I broke down, and started crying at one point, and I just knew that I wasn't done and that I loved being in a band with Jeremy and Hayley so much. I still had a lot more to do with the band, so I just looked forward and did it." Williams has praised York as someone who helped keep her alive during her depression and cites him as the reason Paramore is still a band and did not break up.

Reader's Guide

York has played with Paramore since 2007. He had done backup vocals when he was younger for the band, before All We Know Is Falling. In the liner notes for the group's second album, Riot!, Hayley Williams, Josh Farro, and Zac Farro included him on their list of "thank yous". He also helped write "That's What You Get" and bonus track "Stop This Song", which his brother Justin York helped write. After the release of Riot!, Paramore released a live album, The Final Riot!. York was credited as a member of the band in the liner notes of the latter and was later officially acknowledged by Paramore as an official member on June 15, 2009. York has mentioned having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. His favorite artists include mewithoutYou, Radiohead, Kent, Yann Tiersen, At the Drive-In, Failure, Björk, Kadawatha, and Paper Route. More recently in interviews, he has cited Afrobeat music as a big influence in his writing for After Laughter. Talking Heads, Fleetwood Mac, Blondie, Paul Simon, The Strokes, Thomas Mapfumo, Tame Impala, and The Cure were also named influences and favorite artists of his.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Taylor York join Paramore?

York initially joined the band in 2007 following Hunter Lamb's departure, though he was officially recognized as a full member two years later in June 2009.

What instruments does Taylor York play?

While best known for his guitar work, he contributes to recordings on keyboards, percussion, drums, and various other instruments like the glockenspiel and ukulele.