Last night was the evening Rolling Stones fans have been waiting for since it was announced that former guitarist Mick Taylor would be joining the band as a guest on their 50 and Counting Tour. Up until yesterday’s show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, the use of Taylor has been sparse with “The Other Mick” only turning up to perform on Midnight Rambler each night and on (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction at a handful of shows. At The Staples Center Taylor performed on a total of four songs, two of which were long-awaited tour debuts.
Instead of welcoming the calvalcade of special guests like Gwen Stefani, John Mayer and Dave Grohl like they had at previous 50 and Counting Tour, The Stones made good use of the guest that’s been there all along – Mick Taylor. Taylor first emerged seven songs into the show for a tour debut version of Sticky Fingers track Sway, which was played by request. Mick came back three tunes later for what was once his signature song – Can’t You Hear Me Knockin’. Both Sticky Fingers tracks were tour debuts and were the first versions Taylor played on since he parted ways with The Rolling Stones in 1974. The guitarist returned later in the show for both Midnight Rambler and (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.
The Rolling Stones also dusted off the 1978 single Far Away Eyes off Some Girls for its tour debut. To start the encore, the USC Thornton Chamber Singers emerged for You Can’t Always Get What You Want before Jumpin’ Jack Flash and Satisfaction brought the show to a close.
Watch Mick Taylor perform Sway and Can’t You Hear Me Knockin’ with The Rolling Stones for the first time in nearly 40 years…
Rolling Stones – Sway
Rolling Stones – Can’t You Hear Me Knockin’