Mick Taylor joined the Rolling Stones on a tour in 1969. When Brian Jones left the group before his tragic death, John Mayall and Ian Stewart recommended Taylor to Jagger. Back then, Taylor was a member of Mayall’s band The Bluesbreakers.
Taylor was a member of The Rolling Stones from 1969 to 1974. He went on to create many classic albums like “Let It Bleed (1969)”, “Sticky Fingers (1971), “Exile on Main St. (1972)”, and “Only rock n’ Roll (1974)”. Even after departing from the Rolling Stones in December 1974, he created his own solo albums and also worked with other artists. His career is very successful.
Regarding Mick Taylor, the original guitarist of the band Keith Richards has always talked about him. Back in 2017, during an interview, he explained that Mick Taylor was an essential part of the group. He recalled,
“Taylor opened up some beautiful possibilities, especially in recording because I would just lay down 3 or 4 different rhythms. Mick was very much a solo player. Incredibly melodic and sensitive about his playing. Most of those early Stone records, you know, the big ones.”
“He’s probably 6, 7 maybe 8 sometimes guitars on these tracks. But you wouldn’t know that. When I play guitar I wanna play with another guy and if he is providing the other side of the coin. If I’m laying down that rhythm then the compliments that come from the other guitar then will be moving into the rhythm guitar.”
Talking about Taylor’s time in the band. Richards said, “You write with Mick Taylor in mind, maybe without realizing it, knowing he can come up with something different. You’ve got to give him something he’ll really enjoy. Not just the same old grind.”
Richards also didn’t shy away from his part and agreed that Taylor really did make the Rolling Stones. He added, “We did the most brilliant stuff together, some of the most brilliant stuff the Stones ever did. Everything was there in his playing — the melodic touch, a beautiful sustain, and a way of reading a song.”
Charlie Watts also explained, “the Mick Taylor period was a creative peak for us. A tremendous jump in musical credibility.” However, by the time 1974 rolled around, Taylor had seemingly had enough of the craziness of being in the Stones, and he left. Richards later said, “Mick could never explain why he left. He doesn’t know why. I always asked him, ‘why did you leave?’ He said, ‘I don’t know.'”
Taylor was born in Welwyn Garden City, England in 1949. He was not only a member of The Rolling Stones in his career. He did help the Stones become who they are today. He also worked with John Mayall and The Bluesbreakers. He recorded his albums with Jack Bruce, Bob Dylan, and even Carla Olson. He is undeniably one of the greatest in the rock world.
Listen to Keith Richards talking about Taylor down below.
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