William George Perks, later known as Bill Wyman, was born in Lewisham in 1936. Before achieving prominence as the bassist for the Rolling Stones, he served in the Royal Air Force, where he first encountered rock and roll music at dancehalls in West Germany and purchased his first guitar for 400 Deutsche Mark.
Early Career and The Rolling Stones
Educated at Langley Park School for Boys, Wyman initially sought employment in bookmaking before his military service. In 1961, he performed with the Cliftons, utilizing a modified fretless bass guitar. He joined the Rolling Stones on 7 December 1962, following an audition in Chelsea. As the oldest member of the band, he provided backing vocals and bass for 19 studio albums. His contributions as a composer included the track In Another Land, featured on the album Their Satanic Majesties Request, and the song Downtown Suzie.
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Beyond his tenure with the Rolling Stones, Wyman maintained a prolific output. In 1981, he released the successful single (Si Si) Je Suis un Rock Star and composed the soundtrack for the film Green Ice. His work in cinema continued with compositions for Italian director Dario Argento on the films Phenomena and Opera. He also organized the group Willie and the Poor Boys in 1983 to raise funds for multiple sclerosis research, collaborating with musicians such as Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck.
Transition and Later Years
Wyman departed the Rolling Stones in January 1993 following the Steel Wheels and Urban Jungle tours. In 1997, he established Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, a blues rock ensemble featuring a rotating membership that he led until 2018. His career, which has spanned roles as a songwriter, guitarist, and bass guitarist, was formally recognized with a Silver Clef Award. He remained connected to his former band, participating in recordings as recently as 2023.
Fast facts
- Born: 1936, Lewisham, London
- Citizenship: United Kingdom
- Primary Instrument: Bass guitar
- Rolling Stones tenure: 1962–1993
- Film scores composed: Green Ice, Phenomena, Opera
- Awards: Silver Clef Award
- Education: Langley Park School for Boys
Questions readers ask
When did Bill Wyman leave the Rolling Stones?
He officially departed from the band in January 1993.
What was Bill Wyman's original name?
He was born William George Perks and legally changed his surname to Wyman in 1964.
Achievements
- Worked as anthropologist, guitarist and composer
