Happy Birthday Mick Taylor (Jan 17, 1949)!

byFrankB-1

5.7K followers

3 months ago

(Image created by DALL-E 3)

Hi, WA Friends!

Let's celebrate Mick Taylor's birthday (belated)!

From Blues Beginnings to Rock and Roll Royalty

Mick's career reads like a rock and roll roadmap, weaving its way through legendary bands and iconic albums. Born in England in 1949, Taylor started playing young, forming his first band, The Gods, at 16 years old.

The Bluesbreakers

His fluid, blues-infused style caught the ear of John Mayall (the "Father of the British Blues"), who recruited him for his Bluesbreakers in 1967. Stepping into the shoes of Eric Clapton no less, Taylor quickly proved his playing prowess, injecting the band with a fresh dose of energy and dazzling audiences with his soaring leads.

The Rolling Stones

In 1969, The Rolling Stones recruited Mick to take over for Brian Jones after his unfortunate death. He fit seamlessly and helped revitalize the band. From his searing solos on "Gimme Shelter" to the delicate melody of "Wild Horses," Taylor's contributions left an indelible mark on Stones' classic albums like "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile on Main Street."

However, Taylor's time with the Stones was bittersweet. While their musical chemistry was undeniable, internal tensions and personal struggles eventually led to his departure in 1974.

Solo Career

Undeterred, Mick embarked on a solo career, releasing critically acclaimed albums like "Gruesome Shadows" and collaborating with artists like Jack Bruce and Ry Cooder. He continued to weave his magic throughout the decades, his guitar earning him legions of dedicated fans.

Mick's Gear (For WA Gearheads Only Lol)

Taylor's sound was as much about his gear as his masterful touch. His mainstays included:

• Guitars: A 1954 Fender Telecaster and a 1959 Les Paul Standard were his go-to instruments.
• Amplifiers: He favored vintage Fender Tweed Bassmans and Deluxe Reverbs.
• Effects Pedals: Taylor kept his effects simple, relying on a fuzz pedal like the Maestro FZ-1 Fuzz-Tone (Keith Richards also used this pedal on the opening to the song "Satisfaction.")

Honors and Awards

Mick's legacy included the following awards and accolades:

• Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Rolling Stones in 1989.
• Rolling Stone magazine ranked him #53 on their list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time."
• Numerous music critics hail him as one of the most underrated and influential guitarists of his generation.

Discography

If you listen to just one album, I recommend you go with Sticky Fingers (1971).

The Bluesbreakers with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers:

• Bluesbreakers with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers (1967)
• Bare Wires with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers (1968)
• Crusade with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers (1969)

The Rolling Stones:

• Let It Bleed (1969)
• Sticky Fingers (1971)
• Exile on Main St. (1972)
• Goats Head Soup (1973)
• It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (1974)

Solo:

• Gruesome Shadows (1977)
• Snakes and Ladders (1989)
• A Stone's Throw (1991)
• Blues Guy (1999)
• Mink Taylor (2001)
• Departure Point (2009)
• Blue Diamond (2016)

Happy belated Birthday, Mick! 🎂

Let me know what you think in the comments, AND ...

Keep On Rockin"! 🤘
Frank 🎸

~ 60% Human-written content