Sunday March 28, 1999

Question and Answer with Bill Wyman

By MIKE ROSS / Express Writer

Bill Wyman was the original bass player for the Rolling Stones. The rhythmic chemistry between him and drummer Charlie Watts was largely responsible for the trademark "loose" sound the band had, especially in the early days. Many bands, including the current Stones lineup, have tried - and failed - to duplicate it. Despite the fact that Mick Jagger practically begged him to stay, Wyman quit the band in 1992 and has been enjoying a fruitful semi-retirement ever since - raising two young children, writing books, running a burger franchise (Sticky Fingers restaurant), taking pictures and jamming with his part-time band, Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings. Here's a look at what makes the "Stone Alone" tick:

1. What was the last movie you loved? - Ransom, with Mel Gibson.

2. What was the first album you owned? - John Lee Hooker.

3. What was the last book you read? - I'm still reading it. It's a book about Area 51 called Hidden Agenda.

4. What's your favourite place to eat? - It's a Japanese restaurant in London called Shogun.

5. Do you have a pet peeve? - Fair-weather friends.

6. What's your idea of the perfect Sunday? - At home with my family, feet up in the afternoon after a nice Sunday lunch, watching a live soccer match on television.

7. Have you ever been mistaken for another celebrity? - At the Gotham Hotel in New York in the early '70s, I went in there and all these fans jumped on me and I started to sign these albums and realized they were Beatles albums. They said, "You're George, aren't you?" There is a slight resemblance.

8. What's your favourite junk food? - I don't eat much junk food. The occasional burger at Sticky's, I guess.

9. What are you doing on New Year's Eve, 1999? - I'm going to have a quiet time at home in the country in my 15th-century house with my family,and just stay away from all that mayhem.I think it's going to be absolute lunacy.

10. What gadget can you not live without? - My computer.

11. Do you have a hobby or habit you think would surprise people? - Archeology, I suppose.

12. What's your favourite piece of clothing? - Jeans.

13. What could change about yourself? - My height. I'd always like to be a bit taller.

14. Whom do you most admire? - Leonardo Da Vinci.

15. What is your greatest extravagance? -My family holidays. They always like to go to the sun. My wife's from California and we don't get a lot of sun in England.

16. If you are reincarnated, who would you be? - You know what Einstein said when he was asked that question? He said he'd like to be a plumber. I think I'd like to be a wildlife photographer.

17. Do you have a favourite quote? - The greatest English comedian, Spike Milligan, was asked what he'd like written on his tombstone when he died and he said, "I told you I was ill."

18. Do you know who Chewbacca is? - Yeah. He's that big bear in Star Wars.

19. Are you worried about Y2K? - Y2-what? I've heard it somewhere but I can't place it.