[1] Edward Joseph Tait was born in Castlemaine, Victoria, to John Turnbull Tait, a tailor born in Scalloway, Scotland and his English wife Sarah Leeming, he was educated in Melbourne, and originally worked for a financier.
He was next associated with his brother Charles in organising concert attractions; in 1900 he joined "The Firm" of J. C. Williamson Ltd, and became treasurer two years later at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne.
He remained with J. C. Williamson's (as general manager from 1913) until 1916, when he joined his brothers John and Nevin, who had from 1907 been bringing concert artists to Australia.
Their daughter Jessie Nita Tait (1908–1936)[3] was married to the cartoonist Jimmy Bancks.
[5] E. J. Tait was associated during his long career with many famous artists including John Barrymore, Dame Nellie Melba, Julius Knight (Australian leading man, died March 1941), Maud Jeffries, Robert Brough (Australian actor/comedian died April 1906), Dion Boucicault, Jr., Violet Vanbrugh, Florence Young, Nellie Stewart, Maggie Moore, Tittell Brune, Wilson Barrett, Oscar Asche, Emélie Polini and Lily Brayton.