57 Years Ago Today: Legendary Rock Band Introduced a New Member

Saturday marks a significant anniversary for one of the most influential bands of all time.

Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones emerged as one of the world’s biggest music groups in the mid-60s with hit songs like “Get Off of My Cloud,” “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” and “Under My Thumb.”

But it wasn’t all sunshine behind the scenes. On Feb. 12, 1967, Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards were arrested for drug possession at the latter’s home in Redlands, West Wittering, England. Both successfully fought their sentences, each spending just one night in jail.

One of the original members, guitarist Brian Jones, was battling alcohol and substance abuse issues. Unable to rely on him for future recording sessions and tours, Jones and the Rolling Stones parted ways on June 8, 1969.

Fortunately for the legendary rock band, it didn’t take them long to find the ideal replacement.

English blues and rock musician John Mayall began working with an 18-year-old guitarist named Mick Taylor in 1967. Mayall recommended Taylor to the Rolling Stones, who brought him in for recording sessions. Taylor knocked it out of the park.

On June 13, 1969, the Rolling Stones held a press conference to unveil a 20-year-old Mick Taylor as their new guitarist.

Taylor would debut for the band at The Stones in the Park in London’s Hyde Park on July 5, 1969. His first song as a member of the Rolling Stones, “Honky Tonk Women”, reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart.

Mick Taylor Left the Rolling Stones In 1974

Even though Taylor’s arrival was everything the Rolling Stones could have asked for, his tenure with the group only lasted five years. In a stunner, Taylor informed the band he was leaving.

Taylor cited several reasons behind his decision to leave the Stones. He wanted to seek treatment for a heroin addiction to save his life and was frustrated over a lack of credits in some of the band’s songs.