Mick Taylor gave the Stones the best years they ever had

The albums made during the Mick Taylor years speaks for itself. The Stones at their best!

The best Stones guitarist by far.

The Taylor period is peak Stones. They produced some brilliant stuff before and great stuff afterwards, but when Mick Taylor was in the band they were sublime.

Mick Taylor is one of many understated guitar player's of that time, so it's nice to see him getting the the kudos he rightly deserves.

Lawyer here. Can’t believe Mick didn’t get legal advice. Naturally the correct legal position is determined by the specific wording of the relevant contracts, but just because the Stones changed labels doesn’t mean any previous contractual obligations to pay Mick are invalidated. I hope he finally got his due.

Mick was a Classic Guitar Player and the albums with Mick on them were the best.

I was lucky to see the Stones with Mick Taylor about 71-72. They played Sympathy for the Devil, and the best songs from their most recent two or three albums. Taylor was on the side of the stage closest to me, and I had a good close seat. He made the sound glow, really, and solidified the band while Mick marched up and down the stage. I was mesmerized and astounded, couldn't quit smiling for a week after, and it was all Mick Taylor for me.

In my opinion Taylor is the best guitarist that the Stones ever had

"Time waits for No One" has always been my fav Stones song.

If Mick Taylor was so good for the Stones as Jagger says why did he swindle him out out of his royalties around 1982? Taylor did so much for the history and popularity of the Stones.

Mick Taylor was Gold for the Stones the years he was there. My favorite period of their existence.

We just have to be thankful for those years. With MT in the studio, the Stones made maybe their best albums, and on stage never rocked harder.

Mick Taylor was a wonderful player prior to joining the Stones, and I urge fans to check into the three studio albums with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, the band where Eric Clapton and Fleetwood Mac founder Peter Green also made their names. Those Taylor-enhanced albums are 'Crusade', 'Bare Wires' and 'Blues From Laurel Canyon'. There is also the live double-set 'Diary of a Band'. Instrumentals including 'Snowy Wood', 'Driving Sideways' and 'Hartley Quits' as well as his playing in all other tunes is great. Check the wah-wah-driven 'No Reply' with him on guitar and Mayall singing - just the two of them. There is also the stunning solo in 'I Started Walking'. The studio version is killer. The longer live version is ripping. Unfortuantely, it seems that few Stones fans have ever heard Taylor's Bluesbreakers-era playing. Anyone who hasn't is certainly missing out.

On his last years Charlie Watts said it: EVERYONE OF US WAS INVOLVED IN COMPOSITING ALL THE SONGS. You can see the composition talent behin Bill Wyman hearing his solo albums (they are a lot) so the whole musicians deserve credit for what they did.

I credit Mick Taylor for keeping the band from falling apart completely. Almost any song from his time, Taylor is the glue that makes it work. I particularly love the song Winter, without his brilliant guitar, we probably would have never heard the song, and there are lots of other examples. He is definitely the most talented person to every play with the band and is criminally underappreciated. Charlie and Bill deserve some credit too for being a solid rhythm section during those years when Keith was messed up and Jagger was becoming a schtick on an ego trip. Taylor elevated the band and kept it relevant when they needed it the most.

Very nicely done. I loved Mick Taylor's playing.

Brilliant, brilliant guitar playing. He and Brian were the 2 most talented, as far as my ears can tell.

For this Stones fan, "Time Waits For No One", one of the songs Mick Taylor co-wrote with Jagger seems like the perfect song that sums up how Taylor must've felt before he decided to leave the band.

Yep! Can you imagine all those juicy guitar and slide licks we've all missed out on since he left the stones!

One of the best examples showing that the Stones were at their peak with Mick Taylor is their live 1971 performance of “Dead Flowers” at the Marquee Club.

I played on the same bill as Mick Taylor back in 1994 at the Green Parrot in Key West. I had no idea who he was, but he rocked!

While I think The Stones were in their zenith in the Jones era, Taylor’s guitar playing is legendary. He was probably the only thing that could’ve saved them from Brian’s death at the time because of his virtuoso playing. Too bad they didn’t give him credit where he deserved, guess they didn’t learn their lesson with Brian.

A1 video, he was roped back in for their 50th. Those incredible melodic guitar solos exemplified the 70s, sensual vibrato, such finesse

Mick Taylor - sounds like the most grounded assessment of the Stones I've ever heard! ❤

Really good insight on Taylor and the band. It sounds like a mix bag of frustration. I’m glad the man exists. I absolutely love those recordings mick played on. ✌️

Definitely upped their level if musicianship. His playing complemented Keith's magically: improving the latter's technique and tone

Time waits for no one is a beautiful song. Best on the album.

A gifted guitar player

It was really no doubt that he and Charlie were the best musicians in the band.

As a kid, I wouldn't have picked up the guitar if it weren't for Mick Taylor. He was not only my favorite guitarist of The Stones ever had but my top favorite guitarist period. In The Stones towards the end, he got a raw deal and I can't blame the guy for wanting to stop his addictions and move on from them. Most every fan thought he was crazy for quitting, but in reality, he did the right thing for himself. Sometimes even the greatest music doesn't last long if you think about it, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and the list goes well on. Sure they had tremendous success but at a cost too. I will always be a Stones fan because there is such good music and it brings me joy whenever I listen to them. The Taylor years will always be most special to me.

Just for me, Exile on Main Street remains the definitive Stones album and Mick Taylor is a huge part of it. I very much enjoy the entire album to this very day.

Winter by Taylor era Stones is magical. Mick’s solo is perfect on it.

He was the best Stones guitarist ever and sticky Fingers and Exile were in my opinión the best of the Stones 😊with great influence of Mick s Blues guitar playing ❤

He was brilliant. He gave them a dimension they did not have before and have not had since. It is not a well-known track but Jiving Sister Fanny is a good example of his brilliance.

Don't get me wrong, Wood is the man, hated to see him leave the Faces, but Taylor marked the best era of the Stones.

…this was fascinating! just listened to Ya-Ya’s a couple nights ago…Micks’ playing is so good…it’s not an accident that the Stones lost the two best guitarists they had…

Thanks for doing this video. This is the most detailed and interesting account of the relationship between Mick Taylor and his departure from the Rolling Stones that I have heard or read.

I am thankful for the time Mick Taylor was with the Rolling Stones. His contribution was immeasurable and historic. Ronnie Wood filled the gap. God bless all of them.

Best Stones stuff's w/Taylor & best Taylor stuff's w/the Stones.

Even though he didn't get credit for "Time waits for no one".. THAT SONG Has Taylor named stamped all over it...that song is forever his!.

That's a very interesting video Goose, I really enjoyed it. Thank you!

There was a second magic period with the Stones and 3 of the best Stones' albums are there to tell the story. I am talking about, first, Brian's indelible influence on the band and then when Mick Taylor was in the band. He gave what he could and followed his instinct and listened to his inner voice and left the band on the crest of a wave of popularity and adulation and not in a casket.

The albums that Mick Taylor did with the stones are the cream of their catalog. He deserves a lot of credit for the transformation of The Rolling Stones into a band that changed with the times. And I recall him saying that he left around age 25 because he had turned into a millionaire heroin Junkie. He made the right decision

What a fantastic video have a wonderful day ❤😊

Love the way you dig up this stuff... most entertaining Mick does a solo with Mayall on "Oh Pretty Woman" that I really dig cheers

I saw Mick Taylor at the Lone Star. Immediately you could tell that he was the sound of the Stones. He really should have been given writing credit because you could hear how much his playing defined those songs.

I agree with Taylor that the Sticky Fingers lineup was the best one of the Stones. It's the only Stones album I own.

My favourite Stones albums was during the Mick Taylor years.I read a quote in Cream magazine many years ago attributed to Taylor concerning why he left the Stones-“when you’re a tax exile living France,you’ve been up all night doing heroin with Keith Richards,you know there’s something wrong”.

Thanks much. Mick Taylor's work etches out my favorite Stones Era.

This is the best / most comprehensive presentation of facts I have found in this subject; in other words: great job.

It is clear what Mick Taylor did on "Time Waits for No One", Jagger said it was a little "melody thing". Great story Goose.

Ya Yas is one of the best live albums in existence, any guitarist worth his salt will know this. 🇺🇸👮🏻‍♂️🎸

Love Mick T's contribution to the Stones... 🙏 🥰 Thanks for the info here, Bobby 🙏

Really excellent post.

Memorized Taylor days!! No doubt band playing include Taylor leads!!

Loved this, Mick Taylor was such a gifted guitarist & I love the Stones. The pics are fantastic especially the one of Keith @ 5:49 grrrrr 😅

...had some vague idea but this vid filled some big gaps...thnx

I saw the rolling stones live in about 2013 mick taylor played as a guest artist and was fantastic . Micj Jager Introduced him as a old friend of the stones which I thought was abit inaccurate he wasn't really a friend just their best ever guitar player.

There is no doubt that Taylor's stint with the Stones produced their best music, it's hard to debate seriously. It's hard to believe, however, that part of him doesn't regret leaving. I do understand how a decision like that could be made, however. I'm sure he was very hurt about how he got screwed out of songwriting credit, and he probably figured if this is how it's going to be, screw these guys. Ego gets in the way of practicality, nothing new under the sun there, we've all been there, done that.

Don't mess with someone's writing credits. Never ends well.

Great video!

The Mick Taylor years were my favorite for live Stones; from everything I’ve read, he left mainly due to drugs…he couldn’t afford to keep pace with Keith etc…my first concert ever was The Stones with MT in ‘72 & I also saw their 50th anniversary tour where MT played in a few…I met him outside a small club he was playing in Philly & complimented his first solo album and he said “Oh, you’re the one that bought it..”

I get it, Jagger & Richards are critical to the Stones success, so for all those who tee off when I say what I say, remember that. Make no mistake, the same way they screwed Taylor out of song writing and treated him coldly at times is how they helped do in Brian. You can just hear Mick Taylor’s influence all over the tracks just like you can hear Brian’s influence all over the tracks. The sound from both has never again been visible on the songs under Wood. I like Woody, but to me he peaked with the Faces as he clearly was able to show his talents. I dig a lot of tunes from Black n Bluee onwards, but the feel on all the albums flows into each other and doesn’t present anything that unique or innovative like they did under Jones and Taylor. Imagine ceasing payment to Taylor with the new label contract after all those amazing contributions. That’s Jagger and Richards ego doing that (we’re the Stones). It’s why they slag Jones left and right cause they know his contributions impacts the legacy they want to tell Wish they’d just grow up

Great video.

I remember reading an interview with Mick Taylor and that is pretty much what he said. Well done.

I love the solo on Can't You Hear Me Knocking

When I saw Mick live about 20 years ago he had a couple of beautiful old Les Paul’s. He seemed to be playing an actual 57 and dare I say it a burst! On the 57 the finish was so thin that I could see the maple flames underneath. He also had a green strat type thing - I can’t remember what it was, but it wasn’t a fender.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I always thought of Jagger as an egotistical backstabber. Mick Taylor deserved so much more.

Great video thank you

I think the time Mick Taylor was in this band was the only time they could truly call themselves the "Greatest Rock n Roll band in the world" Saw Mick in a small nightclub in Vancouver 40 yrs ago. Felt privileged to have been there.

Awesome Guitarist

Micks a great musician.👍🏻

The best incarnation of the Stones was with Taylor. Hands down. I was there in 65 when they first 'burst' onto the scene. But Sticky Fingers blew it all away.

More than I write before, I never forget when Mick Taylor when I have seen Mick in Marseille play guitar front of me in 1975 and I take foto from mick Taylor, I have now this fotographie in my mind in 2024 for ever and never and also ear sound of your play guitar... You are guitare men OF GOD ....Thank you Mick You are the best one in the world for your, class cool and physique very cool and you have in your silence words a higth CHARISME... BERNARD

Mick Taylor un son incomparable great

...it WAS the best version of the Rolling Stones

I did enjoy Mick Taylor's work with the Stones but there were also many others that contributed in a similar fashion, for example: Nicky Hopkins, Jim Price, Bobby Keyes. But the reason the Stones sound changed was because of Jimmy Miller, the Producer. You can hear the difference beginning with Beggar's Banquet, the last time Brian Jones was on record. The song style was changing. You will hear Nicky Hopkins, backing vocals and a choir and so much more. This continued, arrangements changing, piano, horns and extra vocals on many tracks. You might say that Jimmy Miller was to The Stones as George Martin was to The Beatles. Mick Taylor was a Blues Guitar Player and had some solo recordings, mostly live. I have his 1979 self titled vinyl LP. His session work though is quite impressive but his work with The Rolling Stones is his own peak in the music business.

I had the privilege to tour as a roadie helper for a week with Mick and his band about 13 years ago in the US. You pretty much nailed it…I was surprised when Mick told me he’d rather play with the Beatles. The Stones were too Bar Room for his taste.

the best version of the stones. a great live player filling in their sound.

Here before and dig this....gotta look up Sympathy For The Devil from GYYY'sO. Nice solo from Keef but MT STANDS on it !!! Quite good ;)

His soloing on ‘Time Waits’ is just stunning. How he got no writing credit, is just fraud.

The Mick Taylor years were easily the best. They were at their most creative and produced their greatest albums. Goat's Head Soup is awesome. Every single track on the L.P is brilliant.

His teaching tapes sure helped me.

The best period of the Stones was from Beggars Banquet to Exile on Main St. Those 4 albums are why you should listen to The Rolling Stones. And Mick Taylor was contributing to 3 out of those 4 albums.

They absolutely never would never never have risen to the reputation of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band in the world without Mick Taylor he was the engine axis center that gave all those songs balls with spanky raw rock blues power sound also put Keith a average player into a competitive more crunching rhythm that will never be reproduced. Ron Wood is a good player but doesn’t even hold a candle to this virtuoso that he was at that stage in his life

I’ve said this many times and will say it again..nothing the Stones did before or after Mick Taylor can come within miles of what they accomplished with him!

that lead in "Time Waits For No One" has always floored me

When I was about 15 my cousin gave me a live Rolling Stones bootleg record from 1973. I remember listening to the live version of GimmeShelter and thinking "wow, who's playing the lead guitar solo?" Turns out it was Mick Taylor. Ive been a fan ever since. I love the Stones but the records that i own are all from the '69 to '74 period. The Stones were so good during that time. Richards and Taylor were one of the great guitar teams. Too bad it didn't continue but it sounds like the drugs were getting pretty bad.

Mick T was very wise to leave the Stones, I believe. And Rory Gallagher (irrespective of his death at a young age) was very wise not to join them.

Wow great interview😢

What a breath of fresh air Mick brought. He was for hire only, never equal. That sucks! How do you deal with that??

egoism, overconfidence, narcissism, drugs, money...., that is a distroying mix, not only the greatest Rock n Roll Band ( 69-74 ). I remember that news 74, like if it happened yesterday, I was real deeply shattered...it is the past. Anyway I joined a lots of gigs during the decades, but when Charly died, I decided, to stop it...for my soul :-) if they would do a tour with Ringo on the drums, Taylor on the lead and Bill the bass,...that would kick me back:-)

Jagger should’ve made it right on the principle of good faith and reconciliation and given the man his writing credit and royalties-I mean Taylor’s work on ‘Dancing With Mr. D’ & ‘Plunder My Soul’ (two of my favorites) is just exquisite…the dude was talented! 🤟🏻🫦

Mick Taylor I was gonna say, Winter, Moonlight Mile, Honkey Tonk Women, Brown Sugar, Time Waits for No One, Wild Horse, Silvertrain, Dead Flowers, The Hand of Fate and others....love your showmanship and looking the part Ronnie - but Taylor defined their golden era (in my humble but 100% correct opinion).

I've heard some of the 'better' musicians complain about how long it takes Keith to get things 'right'. Meanwhile, the Stones have a thick catalog of classics, because, eventually, he gets things EXACTLY right, & the complainers are still back-up hacks.

No hay dudas la mejor etapa de toda las épocas de los Rolling Stones fue con Mick Taylor la más brillante y de mayor calidad musical mente hace falta que lo inviten a volver a tocar con la banda y darle mayor impacto antes del retiro el se lo merece como un Stone que fue 👍

@9.07 Taylor has a top wrap on his Burst there must be at least three different Burst's in this clip!! it was the crap sound Richards had on his burst that put me off them until Clapton's BEANO!

just listen to the guitar on ya yas time waits for no one is a masterpiece, ron wood cant compete with that, great little doc

I saw Mick with John Mayall back in the 60s. He was amazing even at that age. Very melodic...