The Greatest Guitarists Of All Time, Ranked

Published on February 5, 2020 By Mathew Cohen

38. Mick Taylor

A rock and blues guitarist, Taylor burst onto the rock and roll scene as the guitarist for John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers before being recruited by the Rolling Stones at the mere age of 20. Widely praised for the way that he could read into a song and determine the best way to incorporate the guitar into it, Taylor had an immediate impact on the band, delivering an impressive slide on “Love in Vain” while perfectly mimicking a harmonica during “All Down the Line”.

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While he only played for the Rolling Stones for five years, Taylor was an essential component in some of the band’s peak recordings. As a melodic guitarist, he was stated to often be a source of inspiration for lead vocalist Mick Jagger.