This is beyond hard.
On 27th May 2020, Leon Richard Frederick Taylor (aka Mr Leon Taylor, aka The Basketball Yeti) suddenly and unexpectedly passed away from heart complications.
We were introduced to Leon early on in our history, as the extremely tall husband of Kate Taylor – our OG writer and contributor. I was always really excited knowing that I would be shooting a concert that Kate would be reviewing as it would mean that nine times out of ten Leon would be there also, and that would mean one of Leon’s legendary bear hugs accompanied by a big smile and an excited happy word or two – an instant mood booster.
Leon was an intense and extremely passionate man, especially when it came to music and the arts. From singing in hardcore and metal acts as well as creating music of his own under the LEONSONG moniker, creating album covers, logos and merch for New Zealand and International artists, to creating digital paintings to accompany Ambient Light live concert reviews – Leons passing has left a very large Yeti sized hole in not only our hearts but in the music industry in general.
Check out below for a gallery of some of Leon’s music related pieces, and a givealittle has been set up to help with funeral costs and other assorted costs should you wish to donate.
R.I.P. Leon Taylor
09/09/80 – 27/05/20
