James "Winky" Fairorth

James "Winky" Fairorth
James "Winky" Fairorth
Born	James J. Fairorth; 14 October 1964 (age 59); Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
💼 Occupation	Businessman
📆 Years active	1984–present
Known for	President & CEO of TAIT Towers
👩 Spouse(s)	Candice Fairorth (Undated.)
👶 Children	2
👴 👵 Parent(s)	Barbara Fairorth (mother);

James "Winky" Fairorth" (born 14 October 1964)

With a deep-rooted history in the live entertainment industry, James “Winky” Fairorth, President and CEO of TAIT, is no stranger to the power of innovation. In his 30+ years in the industry, Fairorth has helped take TAIT from its infancy as a strictly Rock & Roll lighting company to an epicenter of high-technology and design; across a diverse group of markets.

Early life[edit]

Winky was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Barbra Fairorth.

He went to Millersville University and earned a degree in Finance. While going to school he got a summer job in the epicenter of concert touring, Lititz, Pennsylvania, and it wasn’t long before he replaced Michael Tait as President and CEO of Tait Towers.

TAIT Towers[edit]

1972: TAIT Towers[edit]

Michael Tait creates one of the first self-containing lighting towers, dubbed the Tait Tower

1978: TAIT[edit]

While working for the band Yes, Michael Tait founds Tait Towers in Lititz, Pennsylvania.

1983: TAIT[edit]

Michael Jackson does his first moonwalk on Tait Towers' uniquely designed & fabricated decking.

1989: TAIT[edit]

TAIT collaborates with Mark Fisher for the first time on the Rolling Stones' Steel Wheels tour.

1990: TAIT[edit]

TAIT moves to a new location in Lititz with over 40,000 sq/ft of space and a 25,000 sq/ft facility for set storage & staging rentals.

1998: TAIT[edit]

TAIT tracks the first video screen on Janet Jackson's The Velvet Rope tour.

2001: TAIT[edit]

TAIT's first Super Bowl halftime show (XXXV).

2006: TAIT[edit]

TAIT announces a new executive team with James "Winky" Fairorth and Adam Davis, alongside Michael Tait as equal partners.

2007: TAIT[edit]

TAIT invents its patented MagDesk system - a revolutionary and time-saving means of assembling a stage.

2013: TAIT[edit]

TAIT Takes part in Metallica's Freeze 'em All: Live in Antarctica, making it the first live event company to engineer productions on all 7 continents.

2015: TAIT[edit]

TAIT expands its Lititz, PA headquarter's facility to 500,000 square feet.

Honors and awards[edit]

TAIT receives a Guinness World Record for the World's Largest Landscape Video (London 2012 Olympics / Pixel Tablet).
In 2017 TAIT is named 'One of the 50 Most Innovative Companies' by Fast Company Magazine.
In 2018 TAIT is named 'One of the Most Innovative Companies in Live Events' by Fast Company Magazine.
In 2019 TAIT is named 'One of the Most Innovative Companies in Live Events' by Fast Company Magazine.
In 2020 TAIT is named 'One of the Most Innovative Companies in Live Events' by Fast Company Magazine.

External links[edit]

GaGa Front Row Blog
Interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer, 7 May 2008
A CHAT WITH JAMES “WINKY” FAIRORTH interview, 9 June 1990

[Category:English chief executives]]