Live Chat with Bill Wyman

February 23, 1999 6:00 PM CT

Chat live with Bill Wyman as he celebrates the release of his newest CD on Velvel Records, Anyway the Wind Blows. The album features an impressive line-up of all-star players including Eric Clapton, Peter Frampton, Albert Lee, former Stone Mick Taylor, and many more. Tune in to discuss the making of the album and life in general with this former Rolling Stone.

<BillWyman> Bill is here! <moderator> I was lucky enough to be in London and stopped by Sticky Fingers to get an autographed copy of "Struttin' Our Stuff" are you going to be selling autographed copies of "Anyway The Wind Blows" as well??? <BillWyman> yea they are in the restaurants and they are available on the web site <moderator> The last time I heard Mick Taylor, he was playing with you in that other band... How would you compare him now vs then? <BillWyman> Mick went through a bad time, he got divorced, had no money ,sold all his guitars, I got him to work with us for COUPLE OF DAYS AND GAVE HIM MONEY , he went out and got it together, started his tour in europe quite successfully ,made and album released last year in the fall and he is doing well now, I might use him on the next one <moderator> Your former Band mates are playing here on April 16th, at the MGM Hotel (wish I had a pair of tickets to go). Hope your wife and new family are doing fine, If you should ever come to Las Vegas, Look me up, My address info can be found at www.lasvegasit.com - See Ya Later Bill -. <BillWyman> that is very nice, thanks for your help in the past, if i get there i certainly will <moderator> Are you planning a follow on book to pick up where "Stone Alone" left off? <BillWyman> yes i have pretty much finished it, it is with a ghost writer and i am waiting for his first draft before we go ahead , with luck it will be out later in the year <moderator> Any chance that the numerous unreleased audio and video recordings of the Rolling Stones will be officially released? <BillWyman> ask mick ; i have nothing to do with the stones now, we're just good friends <moderator> Hey Bill. I don't know much about what your up to these days. What I'd like to know is, are you going to come through the Bay Area, California with your band? <BillWyman> we release our second CD with the rhythym kings on thursday the 25, and we are getting good reports from america ; we hit #5 on the european jazz & blues charts ; we are touring england in july, no plans on a US tour right now <moderator> How do you like Daryl Jones' playing? <BillWyman> very different from mine, i admire the technical ablility as with stanley clark and jack bruce etc ; i prefer simpler bass playing <moderator> What do you think of the new Stones songs that the've done since you have left? PS I like your last CD and look forward to your new one!! <BillWyman> i have moved back into roots music, I'm not involved anymore so I don't have any comment to make. <moderator> Any chance of a Sticky Fingers opening up in the US? <BillWyman> no, i like to keep them near home; i have a young family of three little girls, i like to spend as much time as possible with them <moderator> what do you mean by roots music? <BillWyman> traditional blues, jazz; where rock n roll came from, where soul & r& b came from 20's - 50's; great stuff there <moderator> Do you have any more plans to work with Genesis on another book such as "Wyman Shoots Chagall"? <BillWyman> I have one in the pipline but it is not quite ready yet; i'm working on about 6 projects at the moment <moderator> Bill what do you think of the internet <BillWyman> i use it a little like a library, for references and research other than that I don't use it all that much; of course its not quite used as much over here as in america <moderator> Will it be your photography or Stones related? <BillWyman> it is my photos of marc chagall, amny others i took over the years as well; there is a nice one of charlie in 67 <moderator> how's peter frampton doing these days? <BillWyman>he is doing well, so well that he's not in the band at the moment because he's working; a great mate for amny years, temporaryily replaced him with the fabulous martin taylor <moderator>What kind of guitar do you use these days? Still a Framus?? <BillWyman>no, i stopped those in 1964 ;i only used it for 2 years; i now play steinberger which gives me a good live sound on

stage and also in the studio;i use flat wound strings for a more bassy sound <moderator> Regarding "Stone Alone 2", I assume it will begin with the 1969 tour. Where will it leave off? <BillWyman> it starts on the 69 tour of america and finished at the end of the 1970's <moderator> why wasn`t peter frampton at the latest concerts in the paradiso <BillWyman> same reasons; he was working in maerica, on tour with lynyrd skynrd <moderator> Did you ever regret leaving the stones Bill? <BillWyman> honestly, not for one moment; i had a great 31 years, but it was time to move on to other projects <moderator> Bill I believe back in 81 and 89 you used a travis beam bass...still using them <BillWyman> it was a nice guitar, the made special short scale models for me because of my small hands, but they were bloddy heavy so i changed to a lighter guitar <moderator> Will there be a third Stone Alonebook on the '80's? <BillWyman> oh yes...and a fourth on the 90's probably; to get the detail into the books, i can only cover that series of time in each book and the fans seem to love the detail <moderator> When was the last time you talked to any of the Stones? <BillWyman> about 3 weeks ago, charlie called me from paris just before he left for america; i have spoken to some of the staff in the last week, we stay in touch <moderator> Greeting from Sweden Bill...I really liked you concert in Linköping... <BillWyman> we had a great time too <moderator> Bill, Iam really excited about you new projects! I would like to know what was the first tv commercial that you and the Stones appeared in? <BillWyman> read the books... <moderator> Bill if your paths meet on the road would you sit in with your old friends? is it true their is a waiting list to eat at your restaurant sticky fingers I heard tht from somebody <BillWyman> no, the stones aren't spinal tap; BillWyman> they are busy and we celebrate our 10 anniversary in london in may; we are always busy but you can get a table pretty quickly <moderator> Were those first years as rock stars scary for you say back in the mid sixties? <BillWyman> they were never scary, they were always good fun; the only scary show was altamont <moderator> Which Stone were you the closest to? <BillWyman> charlie watts on always and still; we still visit each other's homes and get together quite regularly; i also see woody now and again <moderator> Bill, Are you encouraged by the current state of the music industry and do you think it has changed much since the advent of the Stones?...Thanks! <BillWyman> i can only make an opinion on england really; i think its worse, there are less oppurtunities for artists; very few record companies will spend the time and money on breaking new acts; if it doesn't happen right away they drop them and that's shameful; radio doesn't help<moderator> what's the makup of the new album i.e. cover songs - original material - etc.. <BillWyman> the first album was pretty much 50s to 70s in style, the second is more 30s to 50s ; more bluesy/jazzy; there are two bonus tracks featuring late nickie hopkins, which is something special <moderator> Did you write many of the songs? - Where any compilations with Mick T. or others?? <BillWyman> i wrote with my partner terry taylor, we wrote 5 or 6 songs on the new album in the style of the 30s <moderator> i am reading tony sanchez's up and down with the rolling stones? do you know that guy? <BillWyman> he used to get keith drugs, that all he did; those books are joke to me; he was nothing but a drug peddler, he was never anything more to the stones <moderator> Does Eric appear on your new album and how did that come about? <BillWyman> yes eric is on a track on the new album; i just sent the two tracks and he overdubbed guitar for me one one the first album one on the second album <moderator> Was there ever a rivalry between the Stones and the Beatles and how did the death of John Lennon affect you? <BillWyman> the rivalry was only in the media , we were great friends from 63; i knew john quite well, and when he died, i did an interview with wins radio in NY about it; it was a sad moment <moderator> Of all the books written on the Stones (other than yours) are there any that you would call accurate? <BillWyman> the roy carr book is very good, but only goes up to 1976 ; most of them are pretty good, there have been hundreds; a few have been scandalous, you can take with a pinch of salt ususally <moderator> What advice would you give to young musicians trying to make it in the music industry? <BillWyman> hold on to your lucky charms, very difficult <moderator> Regarding the new album, why did you choose the song "Spooky"? <BillWyman> i always liked it, i thought it would suit our style; it was very well received in europe <moderator> Bill whats your favorite

comtemporary band and what do you think album of the year is next to yours. <BillWyman> brian setzer, what he is doing with the swing thing; brian's a great friend for some time; he played on my solo album in 1981 and I produced some tracks for they stray cats <moderator> hey bill, are you married now, or are you still out on the prowl? <BillWyman> i am married to a great old friend of mine, american girl from santa monica, and i have three beautiful daughters, 4,3, 9mos; i couldn't be happier; i am not shooting blanks yet <moderator> We would love to hear some new things with you & Brian Setzer together. Any chance? <BillWyman> if brian comes over to england why not? we are compatible in many ideas <moderator> what other hobbies do you have? <BillWyman> photography, astronomy, archeology...; shooting home movies, not naughty ones, reading ; listening to roots music <moderator> From all of the things that you collected as the "Stones historian" is there any item that you consider your favorite and why? <BillWyman> i 've got two of the only full size versions of the 3-d cover of satanic majesties, the originals not the albums; they are 12 inches square, not 6 like the album <moderator> Mr.Wyman,one of the things I will always remember about you is how you held your bass guitar on those early Ed Sullivan shows.Was it more comfortable to hold it upright or did you just learn it that way? <BillWyman> the reason i did that was because of my small hands, the easiest way to play in that position; I wasn't shooting partridge <moderator> will 1999 see any north american shows from you? <BillWyman> afraid not, but vhi has asked us to do a special for them during the english tour in june, a great band , worht seeing <moderator> being a photographer who is your favorite photographer..Mine is Ansel Adams; <BillWyman> that's a hard one to answer; nobody in particular, its like music, you experience something great and you like it <moderator> what do you think of the clinton debacle over here <BillWyman> i think its a joke, it could never happen in europe; it was a moral issue i thought was judged politically <moderator> When you joined the band did you know what you were getting yourself into? <BillWyman> no and neither did they <moderator> What has been your perception thru the years of Marianne Faithfull? <BillWyman> zero; marieanne faithful was around for 4 of the 37 years, she means nothing to me <moderator> Do you stay in touch with Keith? <BillWyman> no not really; mick a little; woody a bit more, and charlie alot <moderator> why would the clinton debacle never happen in europe? <BillWyman> beacuse we don't make policticla judgements on moral issues <moderator> Do you know what happened to the films Gorgio Gomelsky made of the performances held at the Richmond Station Hotel? <BillWyman> i do not, and i saw gorgio some years ago; he told me it had been lost i find that hard to believe; i have seen some footage lately which looks like the audience that day <moderator> Were you ever asked to be in Ringo's allstar band? <BillWyman> i have been great friends of ringo for many years, but the question has never arisen; peter and gar played with him regularly, but not me; i am a bit to bluesy for ringo <moderator> whats your favorite song on the album<BillWyman> i would say i love the dan hicks song walking one and only ; but my favorite is the mose allison song days like this <moderator> what was your impression of Bill graham and why was he replaced? <BillWyman> he was a lovely man i used to play table tennis with him backstage; things change an people move on, like me leaving, you try new things; i was sad to hear of his death <moderator> Is Charlie as quiet in real life as he is portrayed in the media? <BillWyman> yes he is ; he is a sweetheart <moderator> How would you compare Brian Jones' slide playing to Woodys? <BillWyman> much better, woody's crazier, brian was dedicated to the original he was endevoring to produce; brian was very serious musically, woody's a wonderful clown ; brian was the best player of bo dilley rhythms ever, as bo would say <moderator> would you like to ask us any questions Bill? <BillWyman> how's the weather? <moderator> Do you spend any time in the States, and if so where is your favorite spot? <BillWyman> i stopped flying in 1990 during the european tour, i've never been up since ; i haven't been to america because i don't swim either <moderator> Are you convinced that Brian's (Jones) death was accidental? <BillWyman> absolutley, without any doubt ; i think he may have had a fit which caused his death <moderator> Do you have a fear of flying? <BillWyman> i had

no problems with flying for 35 years, even before the stones, but one day i decided i didn't want to do it anymore ; it hasn't changed my life in the slightest<moderator> was there ever a feeling in the stones that a third writer was something not needed? <BillWyman> yes, they weren't needed ; that 's the reason why i was the first one to do solo projects, my creativitiy was restricted in the stones setup <moderator> Will "Stone Alone 2" also be available from the Sticky Fingers web site - If so will there be autographed copies? <BillWyman> yes i'm sure it will be when the deal is finished <moderator> Of all the beautiful women you've "dated", was there one that you felt "got away" or that you wanted to go out with? <BillWyman> i have been married 6 years now, but if i were single i would probably tried to make a play some years back for michelle pfeiffer<moderator> Ever see George Harrison much <BillWyman> we write to each other; he's often away in his holiday home in hawaii and not in england; thats a long swim for me too <moderator> why do stars who have already achieved fame sucess and fortune continue to createmusic and never really retire ; <BillWyman> because that's your life, that what your are driven by; if you are a creative person, your creative until death; mark chagall worked until he died at 97, picasso, thats what we do there's no reason to stop, its different if you build walls or something <moderator> What's your favorite all time Stones tune? <BillWyman> honky tonk women i think; that captured it all in one track at that time; i also like obscure tracks like parachute woman, we only did it a few times ; <BillWyman> i love that line 'parachute women land on me tonight' <moderator> Have you talked to Paul McCartney since the death of his wife Linda? <BillWyman> no, i find that very diffucult to do, i have the same problems with eric when his son died; i like to leave it for a period of recovery time; death is avery personal thing, people need to deal with it on their own i think <moderator> what was the most enjoyable tour ? <BillWyman> steel wheels, my last was very enjoyable; we had a good album and it was the biggest tour ever at ythe time <moderator> who is the best drummer you ever played with other then charlie <BillWyman> the drummer i'm using now: graham broad; charlie admires him greatly <moderator> Bill I know your still on the apple platform and I switched to IBM during the mid 80's, I do a fair amount of multiple track hard disk audio recording with my computer, are you doing the same with your apple, and does it work well? <BillWyman> no i dont' i used to; i have gone back to live recording which i find the most satisfying <moderator> did you ever meet jimi hendrix? <BillWyman> oh yeah, we met him many times before he became famous; in Y clubs in the 65-66 period; he was a regular visitor to stones session, was a great personal friend of brian jones <moderator> What type of events help change your creative energy over the years? <BillWyman> seeing obscure artists live, people like john lee hooker in the early day, leon russell; seeing real talented people inspires you, ray charles <moderator> Which is your favorite country you played in? <BillWyman> holland, or denmark <moderator> What is Astrid up to these days? Do the two of you remain in contact? <BillWyman> yes we do, we have been separated since 1983, we stay in touch ; she lives in tuscon,az her family came to the concerts in sweden in octiber i am still in touch with them all <moderator> did you ever meet up with the doors? <BillWyman> very briefly when they started at the whiskey in LA; we walked in the front door, saw them on stage, saw jim trying to be mick on stage; we continued walking out the back door and continued onto another club it was that brief <moderator> do you ever see yourself recording with keith or charlie or any of the stones in some setting in the future? <BillWyman> i liked 3 or 4 of their singles <moderator> do you ever see yourself recording with keith or charlie or any of the stones in some setting in the future? <BillWyman> woody and charlie were involved in willy and the poor boys it would be nice to do somethings with cahrliebut he is always bloddy working; i don't think the others would suit my music <moderator> Do you think Mick really wasn't officially married to his present wife as he claims? <BillWyman> none of my business; the new CD has done great in europe i hope is does the same in america and thank you everybody who supports us;

There will be more to come...........