Mike Taylor, the keyboardist and vocalist of the Canadian indie pop group Walk off the Earth has passed away.

 

In a Facebook post, the band writes, “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.”

 

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved brother and band member, Mike “Beard Guy”…

Posted by Walk Off The Earth on Sunday, December 30, 2018

 

This is one of the last photos taken of the entire ‘Walk off the Earth’ squad, “It’s Christmas Eve!!! We wish all our fans a safe and Happy Holidays! We love you all so much and we hope to see you at a show in the New Year.”

 

 

Walk off the Earth are known for their cover of Gotye’s Somebody That I Used to Know.  The video was uploaded onto YouTube back in 2012 and has since received more than 185 million views.

 

 

Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward sent her condolences via Twitter, “Our city’s condolences go out to the family, friends and bandmates of Mike.  We are thinking of you.”  According to 680 News, “The band was scheduled to kick off a 2019 world tour with a New Year’s Eve show in Niagara Falls on Monday night.  A representative for Walk off the Earth says they won’t be performing, but the show itself – which also features The Sheepdogs and Burton Cummings – will go on.”

 

Our thoughts and prayers are with Mike ‘The Beard’ Taylor and his family.

 

Filed under: mike-taylor, Walk Off The Earth