On Thursday night, celebrated Rock ‘n’ Roll musician Mick Taylor will bring four-and-a-half decades of virtuoso guitar prowess to the Iron Horse in Northampton.
Ever since he was a just a teenager in Hertfordshire, England, Taylor has proved to be a prolific blues-rock guitarist in the same vein as contemporaries such as Eric Clapton and Keith Richards. Throughout his career, Taylor has built up an extensive classic rock resume few could deny and even fewer could match.
At only 17-years-old, Taylor was invited to join John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers by Mayall himself. Before turning 18, Taylor toured and made his major recording debut with the Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and began honing and developing an impressive and professional set of skills which would go on to wow countless crowds for generations to come.
Taylor’s early success with the Bluesbreakers and prodigious talent eventually drew the attention of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, who eventually asked Taylor to replace Brian Jones as guitarist for The Rolling Stones. In the relatively short yet momentous period between 1969 and 1974, Taylor played on – and, in some cases, co-wrote – what many consider to be some of the Stone’s best material, including iconic studio albums, “Let It Bleed” and “It’s Only Rock ‘N Roll,” as well as the live album, “Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out!”
While Taylor only spent five years with the Stones, his performance with the oft-named “greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll band in the world” was considered by many to be one of the most technically proficient the Stones ever boasted, and was even praised by Jagger, Richards and drummer Charlie Watts as ushering in one of the most melodically and fluid musical eras the band ever saw.
In addition to his renowned work with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and The Rolling Stones, Taylor has also worked with dozens of legendary musicians and groups as a session or live musician. Since his departure from the Stones in 1975, he’s compiled a laundry list of collaborations with a wide range of artists. Among his more notable work has been a stint as guitarist for Bob Dylan in the early 80s, session work for the likes of artists such as Herbie Mann and Nicky Hopkins, and a tour with the Experience Hendrix tribute group.
On top of these plentiful and illustrious career highlights, Taylor has also released three solo albums. His eponymous debut, released in 1979, cracked the Billboard 200. While he has displayed an ability to play in a myriad of genres, Taylor developed a style that transcends his blues-rock roots. Fusing aspects of blues, rock, jazz and Latin music, as well as keen slide guitar skills, Taylor sports a considerably well-rounded and melodically complex sound compared to his contemporaries.
Taylor’s show will include renditions of Stones and Bluesbreakers hits, various blues covers and Taylor’s own material. He will take the stage at the Iron Horse in Noho at 7 p.m. Advance tickets have sold out, but there is still seating available on a first come, first serve basis at a price of $28.
Dave Coffey can be reached at [email protected]
