Mick Taylor Quotes

Powerful Mick Taylor for Daily Growth

About Mick Taylor

Mick Taylor, born Michael Philip Jagger on January 13, 1949, in London, England, is an eminent blues-rock guitarist who gained fame as a member of The Rolling Stones and a prolific solo artist. Known for his emotive playing style and distinctive sound, Taylor is often recognized as one of the greatest guitarists in rock history. Influenced by blues legends such as B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Muddy Waters, Taylor began his musical journey at an early age, learning to play harmonica before transitioning to the electric guitar. His first professional gig was with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers in 1966, where he replaced fellow blues guitarist Eric Clapton. This stint with Mayall's band earned Taylor widespread recognition and led to his eventual recruitment by The Rolling Stones in 1969. Taylor's tenure with The Rolling Stones was marked by landmark albums like "Let It Bleed" (1969) and "Sticky Fingers" (1971), during which he contributed to some of the band's most iconic songs, including "Midnight Rambler," "You Can't Always Get What You Want," and "Can't You Hear Me Knocking." In 1974, Taylor departed from The Rolling Stones and embarked on a successful solo career. His albums, such as "First Step" (1970) and "Guitar Solos" (1995), showcased his virtuoso guitar skills and deep affinity for blues music. Despite leaving The Rolling Stones, Taylor occasionally collaborated with the band on various projects, including their 2005 album, "A Bigger Bang." Throughout his career, Mick Taylor has been celebrated for his exceptional musicianship, innovative guitar playing, and significant contributions to blues rock music. He continues to tour and perform as a solo artist and collaborator, inspiring generations of guitarists who follow in his footsteps.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I'm not really a soloist in the conventional sense."

Mick Taylor's statement "I'm not really a soloist in the conventional sense" suggests that, although he is capable of playing solos, he does not conform to the traditional role of a soloist who takes center stage and showcases their individual skills in an extended improvisational section. Instead, he may prefer to contribute to the overall sound and harmony of the band, blending his playing seamlessly with other musicians, rather than standing out as a prominent soloist. This perspective highlights Taylor's focus on group dynamics and musical collaboration over individual displays of virtuosity.

"I was always playing what I felt like playing."

This quote by Mick Taylor reflects a commitment to authenticity and self-expression in music. By "playing what he felt like playing," Taylor suggests that he follows his own intuition, emotions, and creative impulses rather than adhering strictly to rules or expectations. This approach allows for a unique, personal style and unpredictability that can result in truly original and moving musical performances.

"I don't think about the past too much."

Mick Taylor's quote, "I don't think about the past too much," suggests a mindset focused on the present and future rather than dwelling on what has already happened. It implies an attitude of learning from experiences but not being overly preoccupied with them, encouraging personal growth and a forward-moving perspective in life.

"I never try to copy anyone; I just do my own thing."

Mick Taylor, in this quote, expresses a strong sense of individuality and originality. He suggests that he does not aim to imitate others, but rather, he prefers to create his unique path or style. This mindset emphasizes the importance of self-expression and personal growth over conforming to societal norms or expectations. Essentially, Taylor encourages us all to find our own voice and to be authentic in our pursuit of life and art.

"Music should take you somewhere else, and it does for me."

Mick Taylor's quote emphasizes the power of music as a means of transportation. In essence, he suggests that music has the ability to move listeners beyond their immediate surroundings, offering an escape or an experience that transcends reality. This transportive quality is what makes music so special; it can evoke emotions, memories, and connections in ways that few other art forms can match. For Taylor, this is a deeply personal and transformative aspect of his own musical journey, as it does indeed take him to another realm when he plays or listens to music.

The most important thing is to follow your instinct and get involved with some friends who have similar tastes and aspirations and like music as much as you do.

- Mick Taylor

Some, Similar, Tastes

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

Becoming, Very, Clapton, Eric

I never advise anyone to sacrifice something else because of music, but then I don't see why they would have to anyway.

- Mick Taylor

Sacrifice, Something Else, Advise

If you've been playing for a few years, especially in a group context, you'll see if you have the ability or the passion to want to carry on. It's something that you have to be dedicated to and you've got to love, no matter what happens.

- Mick Taylor

Love, Been, Dedicated, Context

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

Reason, Couple, About, Jack

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

Play, Sometimes, Used, Live Shows

The Stones don't really need to do it for money, so they must get some kind of pleasure out of it. They're not like a group that's disbanded and gone away and made a comeback. They've always been there.

- Mick Taylor

Some, Always, Been, Comeback

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

Play, Always, Certainly, La

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

- Mick Taylor

Good, Always, Really, Good Band

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

- Mick Taylor

Sometimes, Idea, Show, Fresh

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

- Mick Taylor

Singing, CD, Which, Reflects

Blues music is becoming more and more popular than it ever was. I'm always meeting people on the road that are really young, and are guitar players. male and female.

- Mick Taylor

Young, Always, Becoming, Guitar Players

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

- Mick Taylor

Time, Long Time, Fallen, Apart

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 people.

- Mick Taylor

Listening, Think, Still, Harmonies

I had to learn chord shapes. I bought books with chord charts. I used to listen to all kinds of pop music.

- Mick Taylor

Learn, Charts, Bought, Chord

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

- Mick Taylor

Remember, Thought, Actually, Beatles Songs

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

New, Been, CD, Frustrating

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

- Mick Taylor

American, Were, Basically, Stones

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

Kind, Which, Musical, Stones

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

- Mick Taylor

Beginning, Gonna, Felt, Stones

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

- Mick Taylor

Idea, Maybe, Ancestry, No Idea

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

Musicians, Black, Purely, Blues

I'm sure if we had made an album that was more traditional would have been released immediately. When we actually play this music on stage and people become familiar with it, it will become more popular.

- Mick Taylor

Play, Been, Sure, Released

It's sometimes impossible to fit in all the music we want to fit in, in an hour and 45 minute show.

- Mick Taylor

Music, Hour, Fit, Minute

These days there's so much technology and ways you can learn. There are videos and CD roms.

- Mick Taylor

Technology, Learn, Videos, CD

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

- Mick Taylor

Mother, Songs, Lots, Piano

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

Chance, Play, Think, Piano

I've never stopped learning.

- Mick Taylor

Learning, Never, Stopped

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

- Mick Taylor

Day, Remember, I Remember, Awful

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.