Quotes by Mick Taylor

About Mick Taylor:

Michael Kevin "Mick" Taylor is an English musician, best known as a former member of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers (1966–69) and the Rolling Stones (1969–74). He appeared on some of their classic albums including Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main St., and is regarded by many Stones fans as the best guitarist ever to play with the band. Since resigning from The Rolling Stones in December 1974, Taylor has worked with numerous other artists and released several solo albums. From November 2012 onwards he has participated in The Rolling Stones "Reunion shows" in London and Newark and in the band's 50 & Counting... World Tour, which included North America, Glastonbury Festival and Hyde Park in 2013. The band decided to continue in 2014 with concerts in the UAE, Far East & Australia and Europe for the 14 On Fire tour. He was ranked 37th in Rolling Stone magazine's 2011 list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. Former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash states that Taylor had the biggest influence on him.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

The Stones are a different kind of group. I realized that when I joined them. It's not really so much their musical ability, it's just they have a certain kind of style and attitude which is unique.

Mick Taylor

What I've always lacked is a really strong band to back me up.

Mick Taylor

It's nice to finally have a CD out which reflects my songwriting, my singing and the band that I have.

Mick Taylor

I was very influenced by Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix, both of whom I had the pleasure of playing with and becoming friends with.

Mick Taylor

I certainly want to get back to the U.S. to play. It's such a big country. I've always liked playing there, and enjoyed living there. I lived in New York, LA, and Florida.

Mick Taylor

I've written lots of songs on the piano. My mother had a piano and it was the first instrument I played.

Mick Taylor

Maybe if I go far enough back into my ancestry, I have African roots or something. I've got no idea.

Mick Taylor

The Beatles and The Stones were basically inspired by American Rhythm and Blues.

Mick Taylor

The Blues scene now is international. In the '50s it was purely something that you would hear in black clubs, played by black musicians, especially in America. But from the '60s onwards it changed.

Mick Taylor

Altamont... I remember all of that. That was an awful day.

Mick Taylor

It's not rubbish to say that I was a bit peeved about not getting credit for a couple of songs, but that wasn't the whole reason. I guess I just felt like I had enough. I decided to leave and start a group with Jack Bruce.

Mick Taylor

I don't know why, but I never felt I was gonna stay with the Stones forever, even right from the beginning.

Mick Taylor

I play the piano a lot at home. I write songs on the piano and guitar. I would like to actually play piano on stage. I don't think I'll get the chance for a while.

Mick Taylor

I do remember actually learning chords to Beatles songs. I thought they were great songwriters.

Mick Taylor

I do to keep things sounding fresh. Sometimes just changing the running order of the show is a good idea.

Mick Taylor

I suppose because I have a good ear, I could pick out harmonies and learn by ear. I still think that you have to have an ear for music to really be able to feel and understand what you're playing. You can learn by watching and listening to other peop...

Mick Taylor

I have a really good band, and just returned from a short tour in California. It hasn't always gone that well.

Mick Taylor

It's frustrating actually, the time involved in getting something released these days. My new CD has actually been finished for a year. It's only now that it's being released.

Mick Taylor

I didn't think of myself as a lead player, especially when we did live shows, because me and Keith used to switch around all the time. He'd take a lead, I'd play rhythm. Sometimes even within one song. It wasn't strict and regimented.

Mick Taylor

If it wasn't for Mick, the group would've fallen apart a long time ago.

Mick Taylor

Author Bio

  • NameMick Taylor
  • DescriptionBritish rock musician, former member of The Rolling Stones
  • BornJanuary 17, 1949
  • CountryUnited Kingdom
  • ProfessionGuitarist; Composer