Where is He Now? Rolling Stone Dropout Mick Taylor

In later years Bill Wyman has retired from the Rolling Stone, but who would quit the Rolling Stones in 1974? The answer is Mick Taylor who quit the band after about a five year run. We will answer where is he now? We will also look at what he has been doing in the 26 years without the Rolling Stones.

The Pre-Stone Years

The Rolling Stones are one of the greatest rock and roll bands of all time. One does not just join the Rolling Stones. Mick Taylor earned his credentials "in 1967, after ace guitarist Peter Green left John Mayall's Bluesbreakers to form Fleetwood Mac, Mayall chose Taylor as Green's replacement" according to his website. He recorded two albums with Bluesbreakers before joining the Stones in 1969. He filled the shoes of Peter Green in the Bluesbreakers now he would fill the shoes of Brian Jones.

Life as a Rolling Stone

Mick Taylor "played on some of Let It Bleed (1969) and all of the live disc Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out (1970)." VH1 Stated "the guitar duo of Taylor and Keith Richards was quickly becoming one of rock's best" demonstrated on the live disc. 1971's "Sticky Fingers" would be the first Stones studio album where he was present for the whole project. VH1 reports "Taylor supposedly helped co-pen the songs "Sway" and "Moonlight Mile," but received no credit." That was followed by 1972's "Exile on Main Street", 1973's "Goats Head Soup", and 1974's "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll". In 1975 Taylor left the Rolling Stones. Theories abound on why he left, from lack of credit, artistic differences, to simply Taylor wanted to do something different, to the bands lifestyle.

Life after the Stones

Right after departing the Stones, Mick Taylor "joined the Jack Bruce Band, which didn't last very long." He did what many guitar players do and played sessions. In 1979 he released a solo album according to his site. "Taylor toured with the Alvin Lee Band in the early '80s and did a reunion tour with the Bluesbreakers." Mick Taylor would also play with Bob Dylan. "He played on Bob Dylan's Infidels (1983)" and toured in support of the album with Dylan. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Rolling Stones in 1989 and released a solo album.

Where is he now?

His last big solo release was 1998's Stone Throw album, which Mick toured to promote. Today Mick Taylor is still playing guitar and performing on small tours in Europe and the United States. Mick Taylor still performs at festivals as well. Mick Taylor may not be playing the big arenas and stadiums like his past band mates. However, a fan of great guitar playing can find Mick Taylor playing the smaller venues.

Sources:

Micktaylor.net

VH1.com

Personal experience