Bill Wyman (Rock and Jazz Bassist)
Profession: Rock and Jazz Bassist
Biography: Bill Wyman is a British musician best known as the former bass guitarist of the Rolling Stones. He also formed Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Wyman began his foray into music with piano lessons and later transitioned to bass guitar. He played in local bands before legally changing his last name to Wyman in 1964. In 1962, Wyman joined the Rolling Stones, where he played on the band's first 19 albums. He wrote and sang a few songs and remained involved with the band until 1993.
Wyman released his first solo album, Monkey Grip, in June 1974, followed by Stone Alone in March 1976. His single "(Si Si) Je Suis un Rock Star" came out in July 1981. He also composed film soundtracks and collaborated with various artists.
In 1997, he formed Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, focusing on covers and Stones' classics. Wyman reunited with Faces in 2009 and in 2023 contributed to the Rolling Stones album Hackney Diamonds.
He is known for his homemade fretless bass and has played various models including the Vox Teardrop and Steinberger basses. His 1969 Fender Mustang Bass was sold at auction for $380,000.
Wyman had multiple marriages, the most controversial being to Mandy Smith in 1989. He has four children from his marriages. Outside of music, Wyman has interests in cricket, photography, and metal detecting. In 2016, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Born: October 24, 1936
Birthplace: Lewisham, London
Age: 87 years old
Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Rat
Star Sign: Scorpio
Career Highlights
- 1980-02-18 Bassist Bill Wyman says he will leave Rolling Stones in 1983 (Sure!)
- 1993-01-06 Bassist Bill Wyman announces he will leave the band the Rolling Stones
Personal Life
- 1989-06-02 Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman (52) weds Mandy Smith (18); divorced in 1993
- 1993-04-21 Rolling Stone's bassist Bill Wyman (56) weds American actress Suzanne Accosta on French Riveria
- 1993-06-19 Mandy Smith (Bill Wyman's ex-wife) weds Pat van den Hauwe
Famous Jazz Musicians
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