Music
Bill's stil not gathering moss
IT'S A million miles from the huge stadia Bill Wyman played when he was a Rolling Stone. But as far as he is concerned The Brook at Portswood, Southampton, is the perfect gig. It is here tomorrow that one of the world's most famous bass guitarists will be stepping on stage with his Rhythm Kings.
Speaking from his London home in an exclusive interview with Scene South he said: "I hate the big stadiums with a passion. It is just like being a dot on the horizon. I love the small concert halls and theatres. You get close to the audience so they become a part of the show."
For more than 30 years, Wyman was part of the best rock 'n' roll band in the world.
After contributing to the Stones' Steel Wheels album in 1989, Wyman decided that the time was right to wave goodbye.
But it was not long before he was hitting the road with his own band. The Rhythm Kings, which include Georgie Fame and Albert Lee, have been a huge hit.
For its leader it is a welcome return to his musical roots, bringing back to life the kind of classic rhythm and blues that first inspired Wyman to pick up a guitar as a teenager.
He said: "The whole idea behind the band was to play music that we love and I think you can hear and feel that in our records.
"We like to go out and have a party. We play everything from jazz and blues to rockabilly and reggae. Audiences seem to love it because they always come back."
In his days with the Stones he was famous for his laid-back style while Jagger, Richards and Woods liked to grab centre stage.
With the Rhythm Kings, Wyman says it is also very much "me and my bass".
Retirement is not a word in this very youthful 72-year-old's vocabulary. He has so many projects on the go that he barely has time to sleep. "I only sleep about five hours and sometimes I go through the night without sleeping."
In 1989 he opened the Sticky Fingers Café, a rock 'n' roll theme bistro serving American cuisine in Kensington, London, but resisted offers to open up chains elsewhere - worldwide travel did not appeal.
His days of living out of suitcase on lengthy tours are over. Now he is happy to spend six weeks on the road in the UK and Europe.
He has added Southampton to the band's latest itinerary because it was not included in the 32-date tour of the UK earlier this year.
Wyman may not enjoy globetrotting but his photographic exhibitions are dotted around the world.
He has also penned six books, including Rolling with the Stones and his autobiography, Stone Alone. "At the moment I have got two book projects on the go but I can't say what they are because people pinch ideas."
He also enjoys amateur archaeology, searching for finds in fields around his Suffolk home. His biggest finds were a gold coin from 1360 and a Roman brooch.
Wyman always distanced himself from the drink-and-drug-fuelled rock 'n' roll scene.
"When I joined the Stones I was the only one who was married and I had responsibilities. I did not hang around after gigs. I did not party. That is what kept me sane."
He says he is as fit as a fiddle but has never been ill - despite having no particular recipe for a healthy lifestyle: "I do not diet. I do not do any special exercises. I do not do any special foods. I do not use any facial creams, special shampoos or anti-ageing cream.That is all bu.....t."
He still prefers to keep a low profile, managing to avoid the paparazzi at the wedding of Ronnie Wood's daughter Leah, but enjoying the chance to catch up with his old mates from the Stones.
He and the band's drummer, Charlie Watts, share a passion for cricket. In his schooldays Wyman wanted to play the game.
As a member of the Bunbury XI - a star-studded cricket team created by Eric Clapton - he has been able to fulfil a boyhood ambition by playing alongside and against cricketing legends.
He still has fond memories of a summer's day in 1993 when he bowled out West Indies superstar Michael Holding with a googly.
Now Bill Wyman with his Rhythm Kings are set to bowl over the audience at The Brook.
2:11pm Friday 11th July 2008
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