July 5, 1969 saw The Rolling Stones take to the stage for the first time in two years for a huge festival at Hyde Park. They had a new guitarist too. Welwyn Garden City’s Mick Taylor.

The 20-year-old had joined the band earlier that year to replace Brian Jones, and The Stones in the Park concert was planned to introduce him. But Jones passed away two days before the gig and it turned into a tribute.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: An estimated 250,000 to 500,000 fans attended the concert.An estimated 250,000 to 500,000 fans attended the concert. (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

Taylor and the Stones played in front of an estimated audience of 250,000 to 500,000 spectators in the capital, playing hits such as ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’, ‘Honky Tonk Woman’ and ‘Street Fighting Man’.

There was also an 18-minute rendition of ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ alongside African drummers, with the crowd clambering to get to a strutting Mick Jagger.

Following the Hyde Park gig, Taylor would be part of the ‘Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World’ for classic albums such as ‘Sticky Fingers’ and ‘Goats Head Soup’, as well as their magnum opus, ‘Exile on Main St.’.

After returning to the band in late 1973 following an operation, Taylor fell out with Keith Richards and then just over a year later in December 1974 he quit, informing Jagger of his decision at a party before walking out.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Mick Taylor (centre) was part of The Rolling Stones from 1969 to 1974.Mick Taylor (centre) was part of The Rolling Stones from 1969 to 1974. (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)