Ed Sheeran found this record in a second-hand store – now it’s finally getting attention
Ed Sheeran's Thrift Store Find Sparks Resurgence for Forgotten Artist
Ed Sheeran found this record - Ed Sheeran's recent discovery of a forgotten record in a thrift store has sparked a remarkable resurgence for Allan Taylor's 1978 LP, *The Traveller*. The English singer-songwriter, now in his 80s, has found himself in the spotlight after Sheeran's heartfelt endorsement introduced his long-neglected work to a new generation of music lovers. Taylor, who once struggled to make ends meet, has expressed surprise at the renewed attention, calling the moment both timely and unexpected.
Taylor's musical journey began in the dimly lit corners of pubs and bars, where he'd sleep on floors and sofas, strumming his guitar and living off his craft. Before Ed Sheeran emerged as a global sensation, Taylor was already navigating the same path, though his career never reached the same heights. "Everything I did wrong, he did right," Taylor quipped, emphasizing Sheeran's ability to connect with audiences in ways he once missed.
The turning point came when Taylor was set to retire with a series of farewell performances at folk clubs this summer, only to cancel due to health issues. Just as he prepared to step away, a serendipitous encounter with Ed Sheeran in April rekindled his legacy. "Been buying random vinyl at record stores, coming across some gems," Sheeran shared on Instagram, highlighting Taylor's *The Traveller* as a standout find. The mention of the record, now accessible on Spotify, has brought fresh interest to Taylor's underappreciated body of work.
A Life Shaped by Music and Misadventures
Taylor's story took a bold turn in 1966 when, at 21, he abandoned his family, girlfriend, and a telephone engineering apprenticeship to chase his dreams in Europe. With just a few birthday presents to sell, he made his way to Sweden, surviving on his guitar and wit. "I had that foreboding of what life was going to be, and I was getting pretty good on the guitar, so I sold my birthday presents to raise the money to go to Sweden," he recalled, illustrating his early sacrifices.
"We were stuck once in Stockholm at 11 o'clock at night and the person we were staying with never showed up. There were nowhere to stay. If you sleep in the street you're going to die because it's freezing cold in Stockholm in November. So I just went into a bar and started playing. Eventually, someone said, 'Do you want a drink?' And you get talking. 'Do you need a place to stay?' 'Yeah.'"
After returning home, Taylor continued his nomadic lifestyle, living out of a van and traveling Ireland with nothing but his talent and determination. His time with Fairport Convention led to a Royal Albert Hall appearance, a dramatic contrast to his earlier gigs in small venues. "That was bizarre, to be playing to a club of 25 people and then suddenly walking out alone on a stage in front of 5,000 at the Albert Hall," he said, reflecting on his career's unexpected pivot.
From Obscurity to Digital Recognition
Taylor's career included a major label deal with Island Records, though he admitted it was a costly misstep. "I screwed that up," he said, noting he didn't secure legal advice and lost thousands in the process. Despite the setback, the deal opened doors to broader opportunities, including supporting Bob Marley and the Wailers during their chaotic tours. Later, he signed with another label as the frontman of Cajun Moon, but remained largely overlooked outside the folk scene.
Now, with Ed Sheeran's enthusiastic review, *The Traveller* has finally found a new audience on Spotify. The two artists, who share a grassroots connection, have bonded over their humble beginnings. "I found him remarkably down-to-earth, friendly, and very interesting as a songwriter," Taylor said, praising Sheeran's authenticity. The rediscovery of Taylor's work not only honors his resilience but also highlights how music can resurface decades later, thanks to unexpected champions.