Bill Wyman Biography

Bill Wyman is an English musician known for his association with the band the Rolling Stones. He was with the rock and roll band for 31 years from 1962 to 1993 before breaking away to explore a solo career. A singer, songwriter, and a bassist, he has also scored music for movies and television. Born into a family of humble means, he had a difficult childhood scarred by poverty. He developed an interest in music at a young age and played organ with his father. He also received piano lessons as a boy. He was exposed to the songs of the likes of Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley and Fats Domino while serving in the armed forces in the British Royal Air Force at a base in Germany. Back home, he became serious about a musical career and began honing his skills. He joined the band the Rolling Stones in 1962 and went on to have a highly successful career with them and formed a close personal friendship with Brian Jones. He also launched solo albums in the 1970s and 1980s while simultaneously working with the band. Not satisfied with the creative freedom he got within the band, he left in 1993 after spending more than three decades with Rolling Stones. He then proceeded to form his own blues-rock band, Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings.