MIKE TAYLOR | PASSED AWAY
RIP Mike Taylor
Article by Chris Sturk
Mike Taylor at the Ritz in Raleigh during their tour stop in NC 2018.
With a very heavy heart I share the news with you that Mike Taylor (aka - beard guy) of the band Walk off the Earth has passed away. Mike Taylor was the talented keyboardist and backing vocalist of the incredible unique Canadian indie pop band Walk off the Earth. The band is known for some incredible covers that went viral on their YouTube channel and also their original music such as their most recent single "Fifth Avenue”. The band was scheduled to perform on New Year's Eve in Niagara Falls for CBC.
The band posted:
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved brother and band member, Mike ‘Beard Guy’ Taylor. Mike had a love for life that was unmatched and a willingness to give that went beyond ordinary means. He passed peacefully from natural causes last night in his sleep. Our deepest sympathies are with his two children, whom he adored more than anything else in the world. We ask for privacy for his family in this trying time.”
Remembering Mike “Beard Guy” Taylor
I had the chance to photograph Walk Off the Earth, and during that time I exchanged a few messages with Mike through Instagram. He genuinely appreciated the photos I took of him and the band, and he was excited to see them. At his request, I emailed him the full post — something that meant a lot to me. In every interaction, he was kind, warm, and gracious. If he showed that much kindness to someone he barely knew, I can only imagine how incredible he must have been to the people closest to him.
Mike’s passing is a heartbreaking loss. He was a musician, a creator, a friend, a father, and a soul whose presence made Walk Off the Earth what it was — inventive, joyful, and full of heart.
My deepest condolences go out to his family, his children, his friends, his bandmates, and the fans around the world who loved him. He will be missed more than words can express.
RIP Mike Taylor.
