When did Mick Taylor join The Rolling Stones?
Move over, Jagger—there’s another Mick in town. While the iconic frontman has always been at the forefront of The Rolling Stones’ meteoric success, the contributions of other members, past and present, should not be underestimated.
One such figure is Mick Taylor, the band’s once-prolific guitarist. Taylor was instrumental in shaping the Stones into the rock and roll juggernauts they are today, even if he ultimately decided to jump ship.
Indeed, Taylor was seismic in making The Stones the “greatest rock and roll band in the world” during his stint with them, even if he didn’t get anywhere near the acclaim or the financial luxury he should have for it. He featured on the album Let it Bleed, spawning such smash hits as ‘Gimme Shelter’, and in doing so, cemented himself as rock and roll’s unsung hero.
In this sense, Taylor really was seen as the man of the hour, acting as the guitar-slinging glue that held them together during a period that threatened to strike them down in their prime. We wouldn’t have had one of the world’s best rock bands continue on the rock road if he hadn’t joined the fold, so Stones fans the world over have Taylor to thank for saving the day.
But when did Mick Taylor actually join the band?
The phrase “diamonds form under pressure” couldn’t be more fitting when describing the circumstances under which Mick Taylor joined The Rolling Stones.
His success with the band was born out of tragedy, as he was brought in to replace former guitarist Brian Jones following Jones’ sudden and untimely death. Taylor’s first live performance with the Stones came in 1969, just a month after he joined the band and only two days after Jones’ passing. This debut took place at the now-legendary Hyde Park gig on July 5th, where he performed to an audience of over a quarter of a million fans. It’s safe to say he was thrown in at the deep end.
But being able to withstand the nerves was clearly Taylor’s asset, as he went on to form the defining guitar shredding sound of albums such as Get Yer Ya-Yas Out!, the aforementioned Let it Bleed, and the inimitable Exile on Main Street. Despite his electrifying musical talent, however, it seemed Taylor wasn’t built to last for the long run and could never exactly equal – or even come near – the commanding and eccentric stage presence of his bandmates. The Rolling Stones clearly wasn’t made for wallflowers.
Taylor left the band a mere five years later, in 1974, amid a dispute between himself and Keith Richards that his guitar playing wasn’t up to par. It was a short but sweet stint from which he was succeeded by Ronnie Wood, a figure arguably more acclimatised to the rockstar lifestyle. For his own part, Taylor then went on to work with Bob Dylan on a series of albums and bootlegs throughout the 1980s, though unfortunately, his own solo ventures weren’t quite as successful.
Nevertheless, Mick Taylor has every right to be regarded as one of rock and roll’s most significant behind-the-scenes contributors. His work not only helped define The Rolling Stones during a pivotal era but also shaped key moments in Bob Dylan’s career, crafting hits that propelled both artists into the stratosphere of musical history. While he may not have achieved the same level of fame, Taylor’s influence is an integral part of the 20th century’s rock legacy.
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