the "real" rolling stones were the ones with Mick Taylor between 69-74 imho
"Best (live) line up" would fit better.
The "real" Rolling Stones were the one including Brian Jones. In some way he was the fooled one in the story as the band was started by him but Mick and Keith took leadership over.
Brian put aside for composition credits was a musicial contributor for the band before slowly resigning to be only a member and finally leave the band.
well you are right, my term wasn't the best, but I think that the Taylor era is far better than the Jones one, even if I like it to.
The Taylor era is the quintescence of the Stones, like the Waters era is for the Floyd (and Barett being a little bit like Jones).
I never liked Ron Wood. Surely a nice chap, but musically....well ....And Richards was at his best when playing with Taylor, each one being emulated by each other.
And sometimes I think (like many people) that the best album is
let it bleed, the only one album with juts one guitarist : Richards (ok Taylor is on 2 tracks, but not significant playing, and same for Jones on 2 track)