MovieChat Forums > Keith Richards: Under the Influence (2015) Discussion > One disappointing omission: Mick Taylor

One disappointing omission: Mick Taylor

posted 8 years ago by ccr1633
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I finally got around to watching this, and it was entertaining, but I really wanted to hear Keith say something about what it was like playing with Mick Taylor, whose existence I don't think was even hinted. You get the feeling from Richards's "Life" book that he has great respect for Taylor's playing, but didn't really enjoying riffing with him in general. Keith also didn't seem to care for him personally, indicating that he had a heavy personality (brooding). How did all that personal distaste mash up with the music? It's obvious that Keith prefers playing with Ron Wood, but did he ever enjoy playing with Taylor? Was it more like a job he knew needed to be done but dreaded? No new insights there. And who got Taylor hooked on smack to begin with? Maybe this is why Keith is a little shy with the details of that peak Stones period?

[–] dakoko 8 years ago

He didn't discuss Brian or Ronnie, really, either. Although there was more footage of Brian than Ronnie... did you notice Bill Wyman never came up, either?

Mick Taylor was brooding, but also had a very different musical style (as evidenced with Time Waits for No One and Moonlight Mile). He really carried Keith during that period and never got due credit. I get the distinct feeling they aren't friends. Mick was always an outsider and treated as such.

I saw Mick Taylor play in a very intimate venue in Portland, Oregon, once years ago. What a treat! The impression I got is that he's a perfectionist in both his music and personal life, as well as intensely private. He didn't talk to the audience, in fact, maybe only said half a dozen words altogether. Keith is a brilliant guitarist, but he's also fast and loose. I just can't imagine two such very different people as those guys.