b. William George Perks, 24 October 1936, Lewisham, South London, England. Though his recruitment by the Rolling Stones may have saved him from a more mundane life, Wyman's frustrated artistic ambition - particularly as a composer - deserves a measure of sympathy. 1967's "In Another Land" (b/w "2000 Light Years From Home") failed to reach the US Top 40, and only one other opus written solely by Wyman was ever released by the band. Speculating in artist management and record production in the 60s, he was, nevertheless, able to foist some of his material onto the End, Bobbie Miller and other unsuccessful clients.
By the mid-70s, Wyman's songs were heard by a much wider public when he issued his first solo record, Monkey Grip, on which he was accompanied mostly by Los Angeles session players. Amid hearsay that he was serving his notice with the Rolling Stones, 1976's Stone Alone and its single - an overhaul of Gary "U.S." Bonds' "A Quarter To Three' - employed renowned assistants like Van Morrison and Sly Stone as well as Rolling Stones associates Nicky Hopkins, Ron Wood and Al Kooper. Paradoxically, Wyman's resignation seemed less inevitable when 1982"s witty "(Si Si) Je Suis Un Rock Star" was the highest UK chart single for any solo member of the Rolling Stones. One of its follow-ups, "A New Fashion" also sold well. Both were recorded when Wyman was labouring over the film score to Green Ice. His membership of the Rolling Stones guaranteed each single (and attendant album) some airplay but their chart placings testified to more intrinsic virtues in an industry where sales figures were arbiters of worth.
Among Wyman's numerous charitable works during the 80s was the shouldering of much of Ronnie Lane's load in organizing fund-raising galas for Action For Muscular Sclerosis. One such London event, featuring his ad hoc "Willie And The Poor Boys', was immortalized on video and included an appearance by Ringo Starr, with whom Wyman later invested in the ill-fated Brasserie restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia. Using the Rolling Stones" mobile studio, Wyman traversed the UK on a search for deserving unknown bands via Ambition Ideas Motivation and Success (AIMS), a project that fizzled out when the Pernod drink company withdrew its sponsorship. All these ventures were, however, less interesting to the tabloid press than his courtship and consequent troubled marriage to teenager Mandy Smith whom he allegedly seduced when she was only 13.
Following his retirement from the Rolling Stones in 1993, Wyman married again and concentrated on running the chain of hamburger restaurants known as Sticky Fingers. He returned to recording in 1997 with the all-star Rhythm Kings, essaying note perfect cover versions of blues, jazz and R&B standards, alongside Wyman's pastiche originals. Wyman has continued to record and tour with this ensemble on a regular basis. A sharp and experienced live band, the line-up of the Rhythm Kings regularly features legends such as Peter Frampton, Albert Lee, Andy Fairweather-Low, Martin Taylor, Gary Brooker and Georgie Fame. Wyman is also the acclaimed author of Bill Wyman's Blues Odyssey: A Journey To Music's Heart & Soul and Rolling With The Stones.
