Its true, says Harvey “The Snake“ Mandel, I was almost a Rolling Stone…. “When Mick Taylor left the Stones, I know that at first, they offered the job to Jeff Back and of course he turned them down. They had a few different guys in there and then they decided to try me and I came there not just to audition, but to play on the “Black And Blue” record, which is “Hot Stuff” and “Memory Motel”, the hits off that album.
I’m doing all the guitar on both of those songs and a big fight breaks out in the studio. There was an argument pretty much between Mick Jagger, who wanted me, and Keith Richards who wanted to hire Ron Wood. So, they had their little argument. Keith Richards wanted Ron Wood ’cause he wanted to keep it all English. Mick Jagger wanted a guy like me to replace Mick Taylor. ‘Sit in the background, play cool guitar, stay out of the way, and let them do their show,” Jagger said. Mick Taylor didn’t go out and jump around and go crazy and do the Jagger thing. Jagger and Keith Richards were the show, the stars. Mick Taylor was in the background playing the magic guitar. That’s what I wanted to do and that’s what I think they had the original idea to do with me as a possible candidate for that. Unfortunately, because of Keith Richards, I got aced out.” – Harvey Mandel
But now, Harvey is battling for his life. Again. The cancer he had in 2013 was arrested and in remission. Until last year, when the cancer came back with a vengeance. Facing several more grueling surgeries, Harvey needs your help to afford the required surgeries and rehab. Please visit Harvey’s go fund me page and contribute whatever you can. It will mean the future for Harvey:
