Bill Wyman

  • Bill Wyman

    Photo by David Redfern

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Biography

​​Bill Wyman, (christened William Perks), became a founding member and bass player of the Rolling Stones when the band formed in 1962. After 30 meteoric years with the Stones, Bill left to pursue his own interests – releasing several successful solo albums, forming his own band ‘The Rhythm Kings’, and touring globally.

Although best known for his music, Bill’s other passions include photography, art, history, metal detecting and collecting. He has written eleven books on various subjects, and owns a vast archive of Rolling Stones memorabilia. Even at the age of 86, Bill shows no signs of slowing down. 

Former founding member and bass guitarist of the Rolling Stones, Bill Wyman performed with the iconic band from 1962 to 1993. Since leaving the band in 1993 life has never been busier. He’s released over a dozen albums both as a solo artist and with his own bands; the Rhythm Kings and Willie & The Poor Boys, as well as scoring music for films. Bill was also the first Rolling Stone to have a hit solo single around the world. For the past 20 years Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings band have toured extensively; both home and abroad, to rave reviews and a loyal and discerning fan base. “Every song is carefully picked, finely honed and exquisitely crafted” – Classic Rock.

Bill has written eleven books, which have sold almost two million copies and been translated into eleven languages. He’s also an acclaimed photographer, an archivist and collector.

In October 2016, Bill celebrated his 80th birthday with a legendary concert at the Indigo, 02, where Bill was joined on stage by friends Mark Knopfler, Bob Geldof, Robert Plant, Van Morrison and Mick Hucknall – to name but a few.

The story of Bill’s life was told in an authorised Bill Wyman documentary titled ‘The Quiet One’. “My life has been an extraordinary adventure,” Wyman said. “The time feels right to delve into the archive and tell my story before I croak!”