Bobby Taylor and The Vancouvers are a Canadian soul band from Vancouver, British Columbia. The group was formed in 1963 by Bobby Taylor, who was born Robert Edward Taylor on February 18, 1934, in Washington, D.C. Before forming the band, Taylor sang in doo-wop groups and was part of The Four Pharaohs, releasing a few locally-selling recordings in Columbus, Ohio. In 1965, Supremes members Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson heard the band at the Elegant Parlour in Vancouver and alerted Motown CEO Berry Gordy Jr. This led to the Vancouvers signing with Motown's Gordy Records imprint. Their debut single "Does Your Mama Know About Me", co-composed by Tommy Chong, peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1968 and number 44 in Canada. The band released two further singles, "I Am Your Man" and "Malinda", which appeared on their 1968 studio album I Am Your Man. In July 1968, they had The Jackson 5 as their opening act at the Regal Theater in Chicago, leading to The Jackson 5 being signed to Motown. After a series of internal disputes and lineup changes, including Chong's departure, the group disbanded shortly afterwards. Taylor later became the first producer for The Jackson 5 and released solo material under Motown's V.I.P. label. His solo singles did not achieve significant commercial success, leading him to depart from Motown in 1971 due to a financial dispute.
