REMY GIUDICELLI writes ...
Mick Taylor. For the many who don’t know, Mick Taylor was the lead guitarist for the Rolling Stones from around the years 1969–74. Mick Taylor left the band late in that last year, and he has since said, “I needed to to save my life.” Since then, Mick Taylor has sadly gone on to achieve next to no commercial or critical success as a solo artist. As one YouTube comment stated, ‘a good guitarist still needs a good tune.’ Taylor always played very niche bluesy stuff.
Ronnie Wood joined the band in 1975 and subsequently has become the Rolling Stones’ most widely well known figure behind the iconic pairing of Jagger/Richards. Conversely, Taylor has been left penniless from royalties (because he couldn’t write a tune), and hasn’t been fortunate enough to enjoy the Rolling Stones long term 40+ year commercial success. Moreover, the fact that he has largely dissipated from the rock and roll history books, whereas others such as Stevie Ray Vaughan have gone on to fully flourish, doesn’t make sense to me. Mick Taylor is probably one of the best guitarists in rock and rock history. I’m serious. His ability to flow through the pentatonic scale rivals the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, and most likely etches him. He’s that good. YouTuber ‘GuitarPilgrim’ stated that Mick Taylor’s solo on Sympathy for The Devil at Madison Square Garden in 1969 was ‘the best he had ever heard.’ Check out his video demonstrating the solo (which is insanely impressive by its self) and breaking it down, it’s linked down below. If you’re remotely into rock and roll you’ll be impressed.
A shame to fade away from rock history when you’re one of the best players it’s ever seen.
