Guitarist Who Opened for John Lennon Died in 1974, Years Before Fugitive Stole His Identity

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Vincent 'Vinnie' Taylor was the lead guitarist for the rock 'n' roll band Sha Na Na when he tragically died of an accidental heroin overdose at age 25 in 1974. Years later, a convicted murderer named Elmer Edward Solly escaped from prison and began impersonating Taylor, forging documents and even recording and performing music while claiming to be the late guitarist.

Why it matters

This story highlights the lasting impact a musician can have, even after their untimely death, as well as the lengths some criminals will go to assume a new identity. It also sheds light on the challenges Sha Na Na faced in trying to distance themselves from Solly's impersonation without drawing more attention to it.

The details

Taylor had only just joined Sha Na Na in 1971, replacing Larry 'Israel' Packer. During his brief time with the group, they were opening for major acts like The Grateful Dead, The Kinks, and Frank Zappa, and even performed at John Lennon and Yoko Ono's One-to-One benefit concert. However, Taylor's life was cut short when he died of an accidental heroin overdose following a show at the University of Virginia in 1974. Years later, Elmer Edward Solly, a convicted murderer who had escaped from prison, began impersonating Taylor, forging identification documents and even recording and performing music while claiming to be the late guitarist. The actual members of Sha Na Na opted not to sue Solly in order to avoid giving him any free publicity, but the case was eventually reopened and Solly was arrested in 2001, later being granted parole for good behavior in 2003.

• Vincent 'Vinnie' Taylor died on April 17, 1974.
• Elmer Edward Solly escaped from prison and began impersonating Taylor in the late 1970s.
• Solly was arrested on May 10, 2001 and granted parole in 2003.
• Solly died in 2007 in New Jersey.