Black and Blue is the 13th British and 15th American studio album by the band the Rolling Stones, released in April 1976. This album was the first recorded after former guitarist Mick Taylor had quit in December 1974. As he had done the previous time the Stones were between second guitarists in 1968, Keith Richards recorded the bulk of the guitar parts himself, though the album recording sessions also served as an audition for Taylor's replacement. Black and Blue showed the band blending its traditional rock and roll style with heavy influences from reggae and funk music.

It's Only Rock 'n Roll is the 12th British and 14th American studio album by The Rolling Stones, released in October 1974. It was the last Rolling Stones album for guitarist Mick Taylor and the songwriting and recording of the album's title track had a connection to Taylor's eventual replacement, Ronnie Wood. The album also marked the 10th anniversary since the release of the band's debut album, The Rolling Stones. It's Only Rock 'n Roll combines the core blues and rock 'n' roll-oriented sound with elements of funk and reggae. It's Only Rock 'n Roll reached number one in the United States and number two in the UK.

Sticky Fingers is the ninth British and eleventh American studio album by the English rock band The Rolling Stones, released in April 1971. It is the band's first album of the decade and the first release on the band's new label Rolling Stones Records, after having been contracted since 1963 with Decca Records in the UK and London Records in the US. It is also Mick Taylor's first full-length appearance on a Rolling Stones album and the first Rolling Stones album not to feature any contributions from guitarist and founder Brian Jones.