In May of 1976, The Rolling Stones proved once again why they were one of the biggest rock bands on the planet. Their 13th studio album, Black And Blue, climbed to the top of the Billboard 200 on May 15, just weeks after its release in late April. The blues-rock record would hold the No. 1 spot for four consecutive weeks and spend nearly six months on the chart overall. Across the Atlantic, the album was just as successful, peaking at No. 2 in the UK.
But behind the album’s chart-topping success was a period of uncertainty, instability, and transition for the legendary band.
The Sudden Departure of Mick Taylor
Fans were stunned when they learned that longtime Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor was absent from the record. Taylor had been a major creative force in the band since joining in 1969, contributing some of the most celebrated guitar work in Stones history.
While the band was preparing to record tracks like “Fool To Cry” and “Cherry Oh Baby,” Taylor abruptly announced that he was leaving the group. His exit caught the band completely off guard.
At the time, Keith Richards was battling a growing heroin addiction, and the band was also dealing with legal problems and the pressures of self-producing their records. By all accounts, Black And Blue could have easily become a disaster — or never been completed at all.
Instead, it became one of the most fascinating albums in the band’s catalog.
A Rolling Stones Album Built on Auditions
Without a permanent replacement for Taylor, The Rolling Stones turned the recording sessions into an extended audition process. Several talented guitarists contributed to the album, each bringing a distinct style and energy to the project.
Wayne Perkins — known for his work with Bob Marley and Joni Mitchell — played on tracks including “Hand Of Fate” and “Fool To Cry,” while also contributing acoustic guitar to “Memory Motel.”
Meanwhile, Harvey Mandel of Canned Heat added his signature touch to songs like “Hot Stuff” and “Memory Motel.”
And then there was Ronnie Wood.
At the time, Wood was still considered a temporary addition to the band. But his chemistry with Richards and the rest of The Stones was undeniable. His loose, bluesy playing style fit perfectly with the group’s sound, and before long, he officially became a full-time member.
Nearly five decades later, Ronnie Wood is still playing alongside The Rolling Stones today.
A Chaotic Era That Produced a Classic
Black And Blue may not always receive the same level of attention as classics like Sticky Fingers or Exile On Main St., but the album captures a band surviving chaos in real time. The record blends blues, reggae, funk, and rock into something unpredictable and loose — a reflection of the uncertainty surrounding the group at the time.
Ironically, what could have been a breaking point for The Rolling Stones instead became another chapter in their evolution. The band emerged from the turmoil with a No. 1 album, a new guitarist, and proof that even during periods of instability, they could still dominate the rock world.