I've read that part of the reason Taylor ended up quitting was because of "mistreatment" by Keith, and that there might have been some jealousy on Keith's part about Taylor's increasingly close relationship with Jagger. Also have read that despite having been together in a band for two years, Richards didn't really get to "know" Taylor until the Exile sessions in 1971. Whatever exactly went down, one consistent theme is that Keith and Mick Taylor, on a personal level, never seemed to gel the way Keith and Brian did (pre 1967) or the way Keith and Ronnie have since.

My question is, why is that? Why didn't they seem to get along?

I'm not sure they 'didnt get along'. It was more a case of being different.

Keith being a junkie for the entire duration of Taylor's time in the band and the sort of people he ended up hanging out with cant have made it easier.

And dont forget, a five year age gap is a big thing when you're in your mid 20's.

He wasnt exactly close to Bill Wyman either.

Certain personalities just don't jive.

Gazza wrote on Mar 7^th, 2017 at 7:13pm:

He wasnt exactly close to Bill Wyman either.

After the meeting, Woody and I found Keith in a bad way, throwing up and having a terrible time. To help him, we both went out and scored some heroin for him: it was the only thing to do to help Keith through the agony of withdrawal.

-page 442, Rolling With The Stones by Bill Wyman


I gotta wonder how Keith really feels about Bill aside from the BS about "only leaving the band in a box," etc.

Could it have been that Mick "hired" Taylor perhaps without Keith's blessing? Then Keith basically returned the favor with Ronnie?....Keith's drug habit in those days must have clouded a lot of the normal planning etc though.

No, I think they'd all agreed that Mick T was the man for the job. There's no way any one band member would have the authority to do something like that - and despite Jagger's more recent dominance, there still isn't.

They both had their own preferences for Taylor's replacement in 1975 dont forget, but ended up agreeing on Ronnie.

maybe he quit to save his life.

He's pretty much suggested over the years that was a significant factor, yes

What I recall was that the party was just  too often too intense for him...the smack...the roller coaster parties/orgies...the lifestyle in general...he was in it much more for the music than for the fame and decadence...something I suspect he partially regrets these days

Listen to GHS and you may find the answer there as well...

Gazza wrote on Mar 8^th, 2017 at 12:03pm:

He's pretty much suggested over the years that was a significant factor, yes

maybe he was worried about losing more than his life.

I know the REAL truth, I asked Mick T personally about it the night I met him in NY, that's where I got the photo in my avatar. I specifically asked him why he left and he said he got mad and he quit. Mick T literally walked out after an intense fight with the band. MICK J tried to talk him back in and suggested taking a 6 month break instead. Mick T said no thanks, which make MICK J furious because he couldn't get what he wanted. Game over. I credit Ronnie for bringing Mick T back into the fold, brief as it was.   

Gazza wrote on Mar 7^th, 2017 at 7:13pm:

He wasnt exactly close to Bill Wyman either.

He's not exactly close to Jagger either.
:waka-jawaka

Bands are jobs and bands mates are coworkers. It's not like you have rules, human resources... you have drugs, crazy creative artists and intertwined relationships with money, fame and sex. Taylor wasn't prepared or ready for it. It was too much, so he quit. Like was said, Bill did his job. They all did, tenacity and time shows that in the end, it's real easy to think we can understand the past in a way that it makes sense... it is what it is!

In addition to everything else mentioned, I think it has been documented that Mick Taylor had a serious drug problem and was having problems with his marriage. However, if I remember correctly, that seems to have mainly come from the Stones so I don't know if I can trust that.

Some Guy wrote on Mar 9^th, 2017 at 3:41pm:

Gazza wrote on Mar 8th, 2017 at 12:03pm: He's pretty much suggested over the years that was a significant factor, yes maybe he was worried about losing more than his life.

Writing credits?

Steven Tyler once said "every band is on the verge of breaking up at any minute" so its ego's clashing all the time.

Gazza wrote on Mar 7^th, 2017 at 7:13pm:

I'm not sure they 'didnt get along'. It was more a case of being different. Keith being a junkie for the entire duration of Taylor's time in the band and the sort of people he ended up hanging out with cant have made it easier. And dont forget, a five year age gap is a big thing when you're in your mid 20's. He wasnt exactly close to Bill Wyman either.

________________________________________

I'd have to agree with that. Those two had nothing in common aside from the music or the band they were in it seems. Two totally different personalities. Taylor got on Keiths nerves a few times when he played too loud etc. nut Keith and Mick Taylor didn't hate each other or 'NOT' get along .. they just never rolled together on a personal level is all.


Ian

Ian Billen wrote on Apr 16^th, 2017 at 1:34am:

[quote author=1B3D26263D5C0 link=1488918573/1#1 date=1488935602]I'm not sure they 'didnt get along'. It was more a case of being different. Keith being a junkie for the entire duration of Taylor's time in the band and the sort of people he ended up hanging out with cant have made it easier. And dont forget, a five year age gap is a big thing when you're in your mid 20's. He wasnt exactly close to Bill Wyman either.

________________________________________

I'd have to agree with that. Those two had nothing in common aside from the music or the band they were in it seems. Two totally different personalities. Taylor got on Keiths nerves a few times when he played too loud etc.  (who hasnt when playing with Keith Richards? lol) but Keith and Mick Taylor didn't hate each other or 'NOT' get along .. they just never rolled and gelled on a personal level is all.


Ian

Paranoid Android wrote on Mar 26^th, 2017 at 7:10pm:

Some Guy wrote on Mar 9th, 2017 at 3:41pm: Gazza wrote on Mar 8th, 2017 at 12:03pm: He's pretty much suggested over the years that was a significant factor, yes maybe he was worried about losing more than his life. Writing credits?

his soul?

sweetcharmedlife wrote on Mar 23^rd, 2017 at 11:06pm:

Gazza wrote on Mar 7th, 2017 at 7:13pm: He wasnt exactly close to Bill Wyman either. He's not exactly close to Jagger either. :waka-jawaka

He was until Mick married someone else instead.