B.E. Taylor Christmas concert series to end with this year's shows

A Western Pennsylvania Christmas tradition will come to an end this year, with the final series of B.E. Taylor Christmas concerts.

Taylor’s son, B.C. Taylor, has announced that five “Feel the Love: Celebrating a B.E. Taylor Christmas” concerts will bring an end to the annual tradition started in 1995 by the singer who died in 2016.

This year’s dates include:

• Dec. 14: Scottish Rite Cathedral, New Castle

• Dec. 16 and 17: Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh

• Dec. 21: Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana

• Dec. 23: Capitol Theatre, Wheeling, W.Va.

Joining B.C. Taylor for the performances will be longtime collaborators like Rick Witkowski, Hermie Granati, Jeff Jimerson and Jamie Peck.

“Along with B.C. and the band, concert-goers can expect to see all their favorite Christmas show moments that have made Taylor’s concert so special,” according to a release.

“My Dad and his Christmas concerts have been such an important part of so many people’s lives. In his song, which is the inspiration for these shows, he asked us to ‘feel the love of Christmas’ all year round,” B.C. Taylor says in the release. “There’s no better way to start feeling that love than by joining us this December. ”

In 2007, B.E. Taylor was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. From then until his death nine years later at age 65, he continued to record and to perform.

In addition to his solo career, Taylor was lead singer of the pop rock band B. E. Taylor Group, whose 1983 single, “Vitamin L,” went to No. 66 on the Billboard 100 singles chart.