Whether to release an album with songs they didn’t like, for instance, or whether (and how) to continue after drummer Charlie Watts’ death. (Cheatsheet)
Richards said the Rolling Stones made one of the easiest decisions of their career in 1975, and they haven’t regretted it since.
Mick Taylor, who replaced Jones on guitar in 1969, was also alive to see the six-decade milestone. Taylor played alongside Richards on some of the best Rolling Stones albums, but he left the band in 1974. Richards said replacing Taylor in 1975 was one of the easiest decisions the Stones ever made.
In the case of Jones’ death and Taylor’s decision to leave, the Rolling Stones had to replace their rhythm guitarist on short notice. The band’s extensive search ended close to home.
As a member of London-based bands such as the Jeff Beck Group and the Small Faces (later the Faces), Ronnie Wood had crossed paths with the Stones over the years. Jagger, Richards, and Taylor contributed to Wood’s solo debut. Wood helped write one of their hit songs even though he wasn’t in the band.
It was the beauty of it. He was already so familiar with our stuff. After Mick Taylor left, we rehearsed for about six months with a lot of good guitar players from all over the world. And we could work with them, you know; they could work with us. But when Ronnie became available and suddenly walked in, that was it. There was no doubt. It was easy.”
