Exclusive: Mick Taylor Exposes Mayhem And Excess Of Life On The Road
May 3 2009 Billy Sloan
ROCK LEGEND Mick Taylor has no regrets about walking out on the world's greatest rock'n'roll band.
The guitarist claims he would have died if he had not quit The Rolling Stones in 1974.
His drug-fuelled lifestyle with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts almost killed him.
Mick, 60, said: "People thought I was crazy to walk away but I'd have ended up dead from my heroin addiction.
"Drugs went hand in hand with what was going on creatively with the Stones at that time. Heroin was available to me and I got hooked, simple as that.
"Towards the end of my time with the Stones it got too crazy. I'd become very depressed. I felt my life with the band was falling apart so I decided to quit.
"Life clean is much better than being a drug-ravaged member of The Rolling Stones."
It was in 1969 that Mick got the big break that would earn him a place in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
The guitarist said: "In 1967 I went down to Olympic Studios in London to buy a Gibson Les Paul guitar - which was once owned by Keith Richards - from their Scottish road manager Ian Stewart.
"They were recording the album Their Satanic Majesties and wearing those silly costumes from the album sleeve.
"I only saw them through a glass partition. That was as close as I got."
When Brian Jones was sacked in 1969 Mick was asked to jam with the Stones.
He said: "I didn't realise they were auditioning me so I wasn't nervous.
"The first track I played on was Honky Tonk Women and the second was Live With Me, from 1969 album Let It Bleed.
"I actually said, 'Are we going to play more tonight? If not, I'm going home'.
"Mick Jagger called up the next day and said, 'Do you want to join the band?'"
Mick's first Stones gig was their historic appearance at Hyde Park in London on July 5, 1969.
It became a tribute to guitarist Brian Jones, who had died two days earlier.
On his first US tour, Mick played at Altamont when 18-year-old fan Meredith Hunter was stabbed to death in front of the stage by Hell's Angels after pulling a gun on Mick Jagger.
Mick said: "The first album I ever made with John Mayall was Crusade in 1967. It was recorded and mixed in seven hours.
"But the Stones had a much more nonchalant approach to recording - we'd be in the studio for months. I got used to it. The entire time I was in the band I was either making records or touring."
Mick played on a six-year run of albums which included Let It Bleed (1969), Sticky Fingers (1971), Exile On Main Street (1972), Goat's Head Soup (1973) and It's Only Rock'n'Roll (1974).
He also appeared on the classic Get Yer Ya Ya's Out (1970), recorded at Madison Square Garden, New York - hailed as one of the greatest live albums in rock history.
He said: "Mick and Keith were big personalities. They always had a natural, instinctive feel when playing together.
"It was a very creative period, the most interesting stuff they did, and we were just starting to play sports stadiums.
"My favourite album was Sticky Fingers because I think the songs on it - such as Brown Sugar, Bitch and Wild Horses - were great. Exile On Main Street was difficult. We recorded it in Keith's house which was always full of his friends wanting to party.
"It put a strain on Keith's relationship with Anita Pallenberg. He once stayed with me to get away from his own house."
But Mick missed out on the big bucks tours which earned the band millions.
He said: "I don't think any of our tours made much. We didn't have global sponsorship or lucrative merchandising deals then.
"I bought my first house for s12,000, the proceeds of my first Stones tour in 1969. They only started making money on the massive Steel Wheels tour of 1989.
"On their last, A Bigger Bang world tour, they made $250million. People say, 'Don't you wish you were still part of that?' But I can't really say I do." When Mick quit the group in 1974 it was a shock to the band. He was replaced a year later by guitarist Ronnie Wood.
He said: "Mick flew back from Nicaragua and tried to persuade me to stay. Later, we went to Eric Clapton's birthday party and I got so drunk I could barely stand up.
"Discussions went on for days but I'd had enough. I felt better for leaving. I've never lived to regret it.
It's very hard to think about the road not taken. "But if you'd asked any of us in 1972, T)o you think you'll go on until you're 60?', we'd have said no."
Mick is still in big demand as a guitarist and has appeared with stars such as Bob Dylan, Mike Oldfield and Cream bassist Jack Bruce.
He said: "Dylan is one of the most impressive guys I've met. I'd listened to Bob's music since I was 15 but never thought I'd get to play with him."
Now, as the Stones make millions touring the world, Mick is happier playing blues guitar in tiny clubs.
On May 9 he appears at the Renfrew Ferry in Glasgow, guesting with blues guitarist Stephen Dale Petit.
He will play the 500-capacity venue to promote his friend's latest album, The Crave, which features new single As The Years Go Passing By.
It's a far cry from Mick's first Glasgow show with the Stones at the legendary Apollo in 1973.
Mick says playing in Glasgow always brings back fond memories.
He said: "I remember playing the Apollo in '73 on that infamous 25ft-high sloping stage with the dressing room underneath. "Bianca Jagger came on stage and started to dance with me. You don't forget things like that.
"Playing the Ferry with Stephen should be great. He's a brilliant blues guitarist."
Mick first created waves on the London music circuit aged just 15 when he joined legendary band John Mayall's Bluesbreakers after Eric Clapton failed to turn up for a show.
He said: "I picked up the guitar at 10 and was self-taught. I had a very good ear and was blessed with musical talent. At 15 I'd travel from home in Hertfordshire to London to see bands.
"I saw The Yardbirds, Georgie Fame, James Brown and John Mayall. One night Eric Clapton didn't turn up for a show so I went backstage and asked John if I could sit in with them.
"To my amazement he said yes. It was a real baptism of fire but I never looked back. I served my musical apprenticeship with John playing six nights a week and doing two tours of America." [email protected]

[www.sundaymail.co.uk]

Thanks for posting. Great to read he has no regrets.

Somewhere he said "Drugs weren't really the problem"?

Thanks for posting .

Don't you think that even he doen't admit it ,he should have some regrets ?
I believe willingly Bill when he says he has no regrets for having leaving the Stones;but I read Taylor had a lot of money problems (bankrupt ) and was living at his mother's place .

"Life clean is much better than being a drug-ravaged member of The Rolling Stones
Sure .I don't know exactly how to react to this quote.



I am a Frenchie ,as Mick affectionately called them in the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1977 .

I'm pretty sure that when Mick lived with his Mom, he was trying to get off of heroin, had run through his cash, just gotten divorced, and had a crap manager ripping him off. I know plenty of guys who went through watershed moments like that - they're just not famous. As far as the whole Stones baggage goes, I'm sure he'd rather just have people appreciate what he's doing now, but he'll always get asked about the Stones first and Dylan second. Blessing and a curse to be involved with famous people in your past.

Doesn't this story come from Bill,when he asked Mick to play in the studio?

Thanks for the post.

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Edith Grove
Exclusive: Mick Taylor Exposes Mayhem And Excess Of Life On The Road
May 3 2009 Billy Sloan

He said: "Mick flew back from Nicaragua and tried to persuade me to stay. Later, we went to Eric Clapton's birthday party and I got so drunk I could barely stand up.
"Discussions went on for days but I'd had enough. I felt better for leaving. I've never lived to regret it.

It's not always easy to pin down what he means, but this suggests he quit before the party and that he continued to talk afterward. New info AFAIK.

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Edith Grove
He said: "I remember playing the Apollo in '73 on that infamous 25ft-high sloping stage with the dressing room underneath. "Bianca Jagger came on stage and started to dance with me. You don't forget things like that.

Pix anyone??

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SwayStones
"Life clean is much better than being a drug-ravaged member of The Rolling Stones
Sure .I don't know exactly how to react to this quote.

Consider what happened to the band's guitarists other than KR. And then to . . .

"if you'd asked any of us in 1972, T)o you think you'll go on until you're 60?', we'd have said no."

Taylor gives credit to Nick Kent's assumption that in 1974 it *seemed* CLEVER to leave the sinking ship that the Stones had become : the band was falling apart, Keith was a heroin wreck, Bill was talking about leaving too, there was no money left etc etc.

Thank for the post. Mick Taylor's fluid phrasing and beautiful vibrato has always put him in the pantheon of all time greats. I wish him well.

I also enjoyed this post. It always made sense to me why MT left... If he was hooked on heroin and depressed and felt his life slipping away, then that's enough for me. Some folks probably don't care for fame all that much, especially when they are intelligent, somewhat introverted guys like MT. He's a great guitar player, and while he may not be wealthy, he's probably just as happy to be clean, still have a head on his shoulders and still be playing as well as he is.

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dcba
"if you'd asked any of us in 1972, T)o you think you'll go on until you're 60?', we'd have said no."

Taylor gives credit to Nick Kent's assumption that in 1974 it *seemed* CLEVER to leave the sinking ship that the Stones had become : the band was falling apart, Keith was a heroin wreck, Bill was talking about leaving too, there was no money left etc etc.

Ive never heard that Mick became bankrupt?

Re the above quote: Keith may have become a heroin addict
but as can be seen in a 1974 OGWT interview, also in a current thread, he was more than aboard the Stones ship. Also, they were doing financially well - the Atlantic deal,the 1972 N American tour and one planned for mid 75. Big earners by the standards then.

This does not read as an actual interview or whatever, it basically is all Taylor's remarks gathered on www.timeisonourside.com.

Mathijs

He is quite clear that he is glad he quit the Stones.

I think that should say it all. And did you read that he wants to join them again?

NO. CAPITAL N CAPITAL O. NO.

The dude is glad to be alive. I think that's a lot to say actually when you consider it all.

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jlowe
Ive never heard that Mick became bankrupt?

That's because he never went bankrupt.

With regard to various comments made by Bill Wyman about Taylor's personal circumstances in the mid 90's: Wyman should not have said what he did as he didn't really have a clue what was going on in Taylor's life. It was around the time Taylor was invited to a recording session (at a studio recommended by Taylor after Bill asked him for advice) for the first Rhythm Kings CD.

It's quite an achievement in itself, but of all the statements BW made about Taylor not a single one is true.
1) Taylor didn 't have a divorce in the 90's (unlike Wyman who had a much published divorce himself)
2) Taylor didn't live with his mother but had moved from L.A. to the East of England about two years before and bought a new house there.
3) It's not true that Taylor owned just one guitar or that he sold all his equipment. He simply left his equipment at home when he came to the studio where he had arranged to meet Bill.

Years later Wyman offered his apologies to Taylor for shooting his mouth off when he was talking to a French fan who runs a website.
What WAS going on in Taylor's life back then is something that Taylor chose not to discuss at the studio. (He travelled all the way down from a hospital in Wales where he had been at his mother's bedside for about a week because his mother was terminally ill. The reason that he didn't talk about it was that he was very upset about the situation and actually wanted to take his mind off for a couple of hours).
Because he came to London directly from the hospital he brought just one guitar with him. It is pretty typical for Taylor to bring only one guitar to the studio when he's involved with a recording session. Sometimes he doesn't even bother to bring anything but will use whatever is available at the studio (he will play a broomstick if necessary). Just because he doesn't like carting all his equipment around in London, doesn't mean he's penniless.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2009-05-04 13:44 by Lightnin'.

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Mathijs
This does not read as an actual interview or whatever, it basically is all Taylor's remarks gathered on www.timeisonourside.com.

Mathijs

You could be right. There is no trace of actual questions that were posed and for some reason it doesn't sound like the piece is based on a conversation between Taylor and an interviewer.

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Lightnin'

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Mathijs
This does not read as an actual interview or whatever, it basically is all Taylor's remarks gathered on www.timeisonourside.com.

Mathijs

You could be right. There is no trace of actual questions that were posed and for some reason it doesn't sound like the piece is based on a conversation between Taylor and an interviewer.

Would not be all surprised. It wouldn't be the first time - or the last - that pieces are printed to look like a "new" interview when they're actually just a bunch of old quotes cobbled together.

I can believe he really wanted to leave when he did. Obviously. That is understandable that he left given that his survival/health seemed to be at stake.

However, years later, without delivering the great music we were waiting for, and with his personal growth and limits defined, it would not be a problem to tour with
the Stones and survive quite easily. Not to mention he would be better off financially.

I think human nature lends itself to him being defensive here, knowing that Mick would probably never ask him to return, and Keith has said once you leave, your
gone. I think it is a regret, but we'll never him he say it.

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MKjan
it would not be a problem to tour with
the Stones and survive quite easily. Not to mention he would be better off financially.

Can we get Mick T to replace Ronnie? Not a bad idea if Ronnie does not sober up.

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MKjan
and Keith has said once you leave, your
gone.

Please God Keith get a grip! Think of the fans. And serving the music, something Mick T could do better than yourself.

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MKjan
I think human nature lends itself to him being defensive here, knowing that Mick would probably never ask him to return, and Keith has said once you leave, your
gone. I think it is a regret, but we'll never him he say it.

I think you can't accept the notion that someone can actually leave the Rolling Stones with no regrets.

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From4tilLate

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MKjan
I think human nature lends itself to him being defensive here, knowing that Mick would probably never ask him to return, and Keith has said once you leave, your
gone. I think it is a regret, but we'll never him he say it.

I think you can't accept the notion that someone can actually leave the Rolling Stones with no regrets.

I readily accept it with Bill Wyman.

rock legend? to people on this board maybe, arent rock legends household names, because mick sure as hell is not

Well, you MAY have a point but I think it could be a generational thing cause anyone 45 and over Mick IS probably a household name as for as rock legend go.

I have never heard that story about the apollo show in 73 w/ Bianca. Maybe some book company should try to get MickT to write a book on his time in Rock and Roll. I would love to hear the stories the way he remembers it.

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melillo
rock legend? to people on this board maybe, arent rock legends household names, because mick sure as hell is not

...and neither are Charlie Watts or Bill Wyman....but they are rock legends.

The Rolling Stones are rock legends even if the average person under 40 cannot name all of the band members now or then. Mick Taylor was a Rolling Stone. The band today recognizes him as a former member. There isn't really an argument. Its not like someone said "Since leaving The Rolling Stones in 1974, Mick Taylor became a household name." I'm not convinced solo stardom was something he tried for after 1975 to be perfectly honest. Since 1976, Mick has seemed focused on doing what he loves to get by and little else. Good for him.

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Amsterdamned
Doesn't this story come from Bill,when he asked Mick to play in the studio?

Yes,exactly ,I heard also this story from Wyman ;
in 1998 ,Mick Taylor played in Ris-Orangis the day before the Stones played at the Stade de France in Paris ;he meets Bill Wyman and his RhythmKings for two numbers in studio ,but Bill said he was deceived by his way of playing guitar ,and discribe Taylor as a lonesome and unoccupied,living with his mother.



I am a Frenchie ,as Mick affectionately called them in the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1977 .

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Amsterdamned
Doesn't this story come from Bill,when he asked Mick to play in the studio?

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SwayStones
Yes,exactly ,I heard also this story from Wyman ;
in 1998 ,Mick Taylor played in Ris-Orangis the day before the Stones played at the Stade de France in Paris ;he meets Bill Wyman and his RhythmKings for two numbers in studio ,but Bill said he was deceived by his way of playing guitar ,and discribe Taylor as a lonesome and unoccupied,living with his mother.

I'll explain once again who created this rumour and what is wrong with it. (sigh). It's amazing how many times this story gets repeated, despite the fact that Wyman was wrong on all accounts and has admitted that later on. I can't understand why Wyman should not be more careful before he goes on record second guessing about the personal life of someone that he's not in regular contact with. When it comes to gossip, Wyman has been on the receiving end himself (he didn't enjoy seeing his marriage and divorce dissected in the tabloids in the 90's). So he should know that these kind of comments can be quite damaging once they get published somewhere.
(in the case of the Taylor story made up by Wyman: a French fan added the interview with Wyman to his website. From there, the misinformation got copied and repeated for many years).

Bill Wyman should not have said anything about Taylor's personal circumstances in the mid 90's, BECAUSE Wyman didn't really have a clue what was going on in Taylor's life. It was around the time Taylor was invited to a recording session (at a studio recommended by Taylor after Bill asked him for advice) for the first Rhythm Kings CD.

It's quite an achievement in itself, but of all the statements BW made about Taylor not a single one is true.
1) Taylor didn 't have a divorce in the 90's (unlike Wyman who had a much published divorce himself)
2) Taylor didn't live with his mother but had moved from L.A. to the East of England about two years before and bought a new house there.
3) It's not true that Taylor owned just one guitar or that he sold all his equipment. He simply left his equipment at home when he came to the studio where he had arranged to meet Bill.

Years later Wyman offered his apologies to Taylor for shooting his mouth off while talking to a French fan who runs a website.
What WAS going on in Taylor's life back then is something that Taylor chose not to discuss at the studio. (He travelled all the way down from a hospital in North Wales where he had been at his mother's bedside for about a week because his mother was terminally ill. The reason that he didn't talk about it was that he was very upset about the situation and just wanted to play with his old mate for a couple of hours, hoping this would take his mind off).
Because he came to London directly from Wales he brought just one guitar with him. It is pretty typical for Taylor to bring only one guitar to the studio when he's involved with a recording session. Sometimes he doesn't even bother to bring anything but will use whatever is available at the studio (he will play a broomstick if necessary). Just because he doesn't like carting all his equipment around in London, doesn't mean he's penniless, down and out or depending on his mother.



Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 2009-05-06 01:45 by Lightnin'.

Another piece of desinformation by Lightnin' - just like his "Stones stopped all royality payments" story.

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alimente
Another piece of desinformation by Lightnin' - just like his "Stones stopped all royality payments" story.

Ha, this is getting funny in a total reversal of what's up and what's down kind of way.
Right now you're still in "The Nile" but one day you will find out everything I stated is right. In case you have a serious interest in fact finding: I can prove it all. How about you ?
Do you have any credible sources apart from the things you've read on the internet or stories that get reprinted in Stones books - we already know some of those were invented 45 years ago for image reasons (ALO) or embellished (by Keith for instance) or completely fabricated. No wonder by now it can be hard for some fans to recognise the truth even when it hits them in the face.

By the way: I didn't address some of the comments that were brought up in response to my explanation regarding the Stones business structure (and various historical aspects 1969 - till present), due to time constraints. But if you're really interested in knowing how it really works, I will come back on it.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2009-05-05 01:44 by Lightnin'.

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Lightnin'
By the way: I didn't address some of the comments that were brought up in response to my explanation regarding the Stones business structure (and various historical aspects 1969 - till present), due to time constraints. But if you're really interested in knowing how it really works, I will come back on it.

I'm more interested in whether he still uses vintage Pauls on stage or, if not, which Paul model he uses; why he started using the SG, then abandoned it after '71; what tennis racquet brand he favors; what the string tension is; etc. But if all you've got is the business structure, then, well, . . .