Michael Kevin Taylor was such a guitar god in the seminal British Blues incubator John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers that he had to leave the band, when Mayall decided to move to a style where the guitar acted as support, not primary lead.

But that’s fine, because right around then Mick Jagger called John, and asked if he knew of any good guitarists who could fill in on lead with the Rolling Stones.

Mick Taylor was invited to help out in recording, because drugged out Brian Jones perpetually missing gigs. Shortly thereafter, Jones was unable to come to America and tour because of drug charges, and the band fired their former leader. Taylor was invited to take his place.

This happened to coincide with what is generally seen as the Stones' best period, both critically and in a unique series of five #1 albums in a row.

Not the band