Overview
Richard Clifford "Dick" Taylor (born 28 January 1943) is an English rock musician best known as a founding member and guitarist of the Pretty Things. He first came to attention in the early 1960s as an original bassist in the formative lineup of the Rolling Stones, before leaving to continue his studies. Born in Dartford, in Kent, Taylor developed a reputation for a raw, energetic approach that helped shape several strands of British rock.
Early life and background
Taylor grew up in the same Kent region that produced several prominent British musicians, and his early encounters with American blues and R&B records informed his playing. After a short spell playing bass in the group that became the Rolling Stones, he chose to pursue art studies at Sidcup Art College. That decision led to a shift in his musical path and to the formation of a new band with like-minded players.
The Pretty Things and musical development
As guitarist and occasional pianist for the Pretty Things, Taylor helped create a deliberately rougher, more confrontational take on rhythm and blues than many of their contemporaries. The band recorded a sequence of albums in the mid-to-late 1960s that moved from straight R&B toward experimental and psychedelic arrangements, with Taylor contributing instrumental textures and arrangements that supported those shifts.
Style, instruments and role
- Primary instruments: electric guitar (lead and rhythm), acoustic guitar, piano; early career included bass duties.
- Playing style: rooted in blues-based phrasing, favored gritty tones and energetic rhythms that emphasized feel over polish.
- Songcraft: participated in arranging and shaping the band's sound across different stylistic phases.
Later career and legacy
Taylor remained associated with the Pretty Things over many years through recording and live performances, and he has taken part in reunions and retrospective projects. His early connection to the Rolling Stones and his role in a band that bridged R&B and psychedelia have made him a recognized figure in British rock histories. Musicians and critics often cite the Pretty Things' adventurous records as influential on later garage rock and progressive songwriting.
Notable facts
Taylor's background in visual art and his decision to combine study with music reflect a broader 1960s pattern in which art-school training and popular music frequently intersected. Born in Dartford, Kent, his career exemplifies the regional depth of the British rock scene from which several major acts emerged.
Selected highlights
- Original bassist in the early Rolling Stones lineup before founding the Pretty Things.
- Key contributor to the Pretty Things' transition from R&B roots to more experimental work.
- Continued involvement in performance and reunion projects that preserved the band's legacy.