Bill Wyman

Wyman was born in Lewishman, Kent on 24th October 1936. When he was a child he started to play the organ with his father. His first real job was when he did his national service in the RAF Regiment. When he came back to England he got married and had a kid called Steven. Bill then took up a job as a carpenter and was in the meantime teaching himself bass guitar.

Formed band The Rhythm Kings with an impermanent line-up of 1960s vets that has comprised (in various combinations at various times): Andy Fairweather Low (guitar/vocals), Albert Lee (guitar), Frank Mead (saxophone), Georgie Fame (keyboard/vocals), Henry Spinetti (drums), Martin Taylor (vocals), Nick Payn (saxophone), Beverley Skeete, Gary Brooker (keyboard), Graham Broad (drums), Janice Hoyte, Mike Sanchez and Adrian Byron Burns, etc.

In late 1962 he auditioned to be the bassist for the Rolling Stones and was duly chosen. The original line up consisted of Mick Jagger (vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar, vocals), Bill Wyman (bass), Charlie Watts (drums) and Brian Jones (guitar).

The Stones released their first album in 1964 titled "The Rolling Stones". This album was the first of many successful ones.

Through the 60s the Stones released singles like "Satisfaction" (1965), Let's Spend the night together (1967), Sympathy for the Devil (1968) and "Honky Tonk Woman" (1969). Even though Bill, together with Charlie, was more in the background of the group he still enjoyed himself, as he would have years of success to come. Even though he had had the breakup of his first marriage he still managed to twang away on his bass.

In 1968 he purchased a 510-year-old country estate in Suffolk (UK) that had belonged to twins Ronald Kray and Reggie Kray,, British underworld figures who were respectively portrayed by twins Gary Kemp and Martin Kemp in The Krays (1990). In addition to his Suffolk residence, Wyman owns homes in Chelsea and the south of France.

In 1969 Brian Jones left the group and shortly afterwards he died in mysterious circumstances and was replaced by Mick Taylor.

In 1970 the Stones were in debt. They had got no money from Decca for recording the album "Let it Bleed" and the money they should have had for touring wasn't coming in either.

After Mick Jagger finished his performance in "Performance", (1970) they recorded Brown Sugar and immediately signed to a new record company. Throughout the rest of the 70s the Stones made endless hits and live performances.

The tunes most known from then are "Brown Sugar" (1971), "Angie" (1973), "It's only rock 'n roll" (1974) and "Respectable" (1978). In the meantime, Bill was making his own music.

He released his debut solo album "Stone Alone" in 1976. Even though the album was not a great success it was admired by critics. The 80s, though, were to come and that was to be a funny time for Bill.

The Stones released "Emotional Rescue" in 1980 but Bill was recording a solo album and he released what was to be his most popular single "Je suis un rock star" which was released in 1981. The same year the Stones released "Tattoo you" and they went on a major world tour to promote it. After this things were not going well for the five Stones.

His solo single "Je Un Suis Un Rock Star" was a worldwide success in 1981.

In 1983 the Stones recorded and released "Undercover" which was a success but things inside the group was not a success. Mick and Keith were arguing about what musical direction the group should go. Bill's second marriage had broken up.

In the autumn of 1984, Mick Jagger recorded his first solo album "She's the boss" which Keith didn't approve of.

In 1985 the Stones recorded "Dirty Work" which was released the following year and Bill recorded an album for his own band "Willie and the poor boys". At the end of the year Ian Stewart, known as the "Sixth Stone", died and the band was deeply moved. When "Dirty Work" was released Bill, Keith, Ron and Charlie wanted to tour to promote the album but Mick said "No Way Jose". This led to a Stones break-up and everybody in the band in turn falling out with Mick.

Bill didn't do much until 1989 when the Stones got back together to recorded and tour behind "Steel Wheels".

The tour was a success but it was to be Bill's last as in 1992 he announced that he was leaving the Stones and he left the following year. Keith did everything to stop him but no avail. Since then he has been playing bass in "Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings" which are a popular live attraction and have released about 4 albums so far.

While married to Mandy Smith, his son, Stephen, was engaged to Mandy's mother. The;y married in 1993 but divorced in 1995.

As of July 2001 was bassist with Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings.

Portrayed by Josef Altin in Stoned (2005) and by Mitchell Parsons in The Linda McCartney Story (2000).

In 2009 he revealed he had quit smoking after 55 years after doctors warned him he was showing signs of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Wyman had smoked at least 30 cigarettes a day for most of his life.

He underwent treatment for prostate cancer in 2016.