Born 90 Years Ago Today In London, He Left One Of Rock's Biggest Bands To Follow His Love Of The Blues

For decades, it was Bill Wyman's bass playing that provided the bottom end of one of rock 'n' roll's most legendary bands, the Rolling Stones, before the rock icon walked away from the band to pursue other interests. Wyman, born William George Perks on October 24, 1936, in London, joined the Stones in 1962. He was a vital member of the band as they went from early blues covers to superstardom with such classic albums as "Beggars Banquet," "Exile on Main Street," and "Some Girls," before leaving in January 1993.

Wyman was born on the eve of World War II and suffered through most of the Blitz, Nazi Germany's devastating aerial bombing of London and other parts of England. He began playing piano at around 8 years old before catching the rock 'n' roll bug in the '50s and picking up the guitar during a stint in the Royal Air Force. In 1961, he switched to bass and the next year joined the Stones, changing his life forever. But by 1993, he was done with the band and ready to move on. "It was a glorious 31 years, because I traveled, met and played with wonderful people, had fantastic receptions, made great records," Wyman told Classic Rock in December 2024. "And I wouldn't change it, but everything else since has been just as good, if not better for me."

After leaving the Rolling Stones, Bill Wyman continued pursuing his many passions and spending time with his family. He oversaw his London restaurant, Sticky Fingers, from 1989 until its closing in 2021, became a metal detector-enthusiast and amateur archeologist, authored several books, and continued with his photography and horticultural interests.

In 1997, music called Wyman back, and he formed Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, a blues, rock, R & B, and boogie collective with such stellar musicians as guitarist Albert Lee and pianist Gary Brooker of Procol Harum, with guest appearances from the likes of Keith Richards and Peter Frampton over the years. The band has put out six studio albums and two live albums, with a 10-CD retrospective, "Ultimate Collection," arriving in 2026.

Wyman has recorded solo albums since leaving the Rolling Stones as well, including 2015's "Back to Basics" and "Drive My Car" from 2024. Wyman briefly reunited with his old Stones' bandmates for one song, "Live by the Sword," on their 2023 album "Hackney Diamonds." Leaving one of the world's biggest rock bands allowed Wyman to stretch out and pursue a wide range of interests at his leisure, and he doesn't seem to be slowing down much as he enters his 90s.