Why Mick Taylor Quit the Stones in 1974 – and How Ronnie Wood Stepped In

Mick Taylor walked away from the biggest band in the world in December 1974 because he was tired of being a sideman who didn’t get songwriting credits or royalties. He’d joined in 1969 at age 20, replacing Brian Jones, and played on masterpieces like Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main St. But Jagger and Richards kept him off the publishing. Taylor later said he felt like a hired gun, not a creative partner.

His replacement was Ronnie Wood, then guitarist for the Faces (with Rod Stewart). Wood initially declined, worried about the Faces, but after a few jam sessions—including one at the end of the It’s Only Rock ’n Roll sessions—he agreed to join as a touring member in 1975. He became a full member in 1976 and has been the Stones’ second guitarist ever since. Taylor’s departure still fuels fan debate: the band got a rhythm-and-lead wizard, but lost a pure blues virtuoso.