An interesting story which appeared in today's Isle of Wight County Press

FORGOTTEN STONE HOPES FOR REUNION
By Clare Wall - Friday, March 30, 2007
WHEN the Rolling Stones take to the stage at the IW Festival this year, one Island man will be watching, knowing he formed an integral part of the band’s birth.
Dick Taylor, 64, of Ventnor, went to Dartford Grammar School with Mick Jagger and attended Sidcup Art College with Keith Richards, and along with two other friends — Alan Etherington and Robert Beckwith — they rehearsed in his mother’s house as the band Little Boy Blue and the Blue Boys.
But it was when the band met Brian Jones that the Rolling Stones were born.
He said: “He had his own band but he asked myself, Mick and Keith to join him and that is when it started. Brian asked me if I would play bass. I said yes, even though I had never played bass before.
“We always knew we were different. We realised there was something good going on. And my mum saw something special in Mick. She thought he was incredible.”
However, Dick became tired of playing bass and wanted to go back to the guitar. Plus he wanted to continue studying and go to the Royal College of Art, so in 1962, he quit and was replaced by Bill Wyman.
Dick did not go to the Royal College of Art but went to the Central School of Art instead. He joined a new band with Phil May, The Pretty Things, and that became a success in its own right.
David Bowie was one of the band’s biggest followers and featured the band name in several of his songs.
Because of The Pretty Things’ success, he never finished college.
Dick remains with the band and has just completed an album Balboa Island, which could result in a US tour this summer. He also teaches guitar privately, at Ventnor Rock Workshop and Ventnor Guitar Club.
He said: “Because of the album, we might be in the States when the Stones come here to the Island. But if I don’t go, I will hopefully get in touch with the guys and see if we can meet up. I’ve not seen them face to face in ages.
“I don’t have any regrets about leaving the band. I think if I had stayed with them, I could have finished face down in the bottom of a swimming pool, like Brian.”

tonym Wrote:
> “I don’t have any regrets about leaving the band.
> I think if I had stayed with them, I could have
> finished face down in the bottom of a swimming
> pool, like Brian.”

Mick Taylor might say the same thing. Nice read, thanks for the post tony.

The thing I admire about Dick is he didn't make a fuss or career out of 'what might have been'. I believe Pete Best did with The Beatles but having said that he was ousted in favour of Ringo.

"I'll be in my basement room with a needle and a spoon."

Imagine... being the drummer kicked out for Ringo. Poor guy.

Dick Taylor made the right choice, his playing with The Pretty Things is fantastic!