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Cristiano Radtke
The film reveals that you are an almost obsessive collector. What is your most valuable piece?
Hard to say, my collection now contains more than 25,000 rarities. I can not really separate myself from things, that probably has something to do with the war. Quite valuable are my two three-dimensional copies of our album "Their Satanic Majesties Request" from 1967. There are only three of them.
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Cristiano Radtke
Bill Wyman (82) about his youth in the war, the painter Chagall and the biggest rock band in the world
"Since I left the Stones, I feel free"
From the poor war child to the member of the biggest rock band in the world: Bill Wyman (82) talks about his unique life in this BLICK interview.
Bill Wyman with wife Suzanne and daughters Matilda, Jessica and Katherine (from left) 2016 in London/Getty Images
He has made history: Bill Wyman (82) revolutionized the music with the Rolling Stones. Then suddenly he was tired and left the biggest rock band in the world. Why did he do that?
LOOKING: You are 82 years old, Mr. Wyman. Do you remember the beginning of your life?
Bill Wyman: Oh yes. He was not very happy. I remember the bombs that fell on my hometown of London. And to the iron rations. As a kid I was always hungry.
Do tell.
I saw the artillery battle, I saw the missiles, they did not land on our street, but on the street next door. I ran into our house and hid myself. When I came out a few minutes later, twelve houses had disappeared and shredded all the trees and shrubs in the neighborhood. It was a nightmare.
And the rations?
There were no fruits, hardly any meat. We had to eat dandelion. Sometimes whale meat was distributed. It was like a revelation when, at the end of the war - when I was ten - I first held a banana in my hands. Or chocolate, that was like pure gold!
How did you shape this period of austerity?
Because we had so little to eat, we are all very small. That's really true: All the old guys from the past are still little guys, at most 1.70 meters tall. Of course, the war also influenced my mind: In my later life, I was always very cautious because I knew exactly how transient everything is.
Concrete?
For example, I still hate when my wife throws away food just two days after the expiration date. I have this feeling not only with food, also with clothes. Being poor is an experience you will never forget.
Coming soon is your documentary film "The Quiet One" in the cinemas. In it you show yourself from your most intimate side. Was not it difficult to be so vulnerable?
No, that was necessary. I did not want to do another documentary about the Rolling Stones, there are plenty of them. My film is about my life, including failures, the war, divorces. On a nimble biography in which everything is beautified, I had zero desire.
The film reveals that you are an almost obsessive collector. What is your most valuable piece?
Hard to say, my collection now contains more than 25,000 rarities. I can not really separate myself from things, that probably has something to do with the war. Quite valuable are my two three-dimensional copies of our album "Their Satanic Majesties Request" from 1967. There are only three of them.
How alive are your memories of the 60s?
They are still very present. At that time, we were at the center of a hurricane. The kids chased us to the concerts, we were in the newspapers every day, we were under constant police protection. You can hardly imagine that today. The fans camped in front of our houses for months. Our whole life was controlled, I could not go for a minute with my little son Stephen in the park undisturbed.
Unlike Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, you have never taken drugs. Why not?
Two reasons: I do not like losing control; and I was older and already a father, so I already had responsibility. Mick and Keith did not have that, so they kept celebrating parties. It was not always easy for my family.
Why not?
I remember a neighbor who once asked my boy how I was doing. His answer: "I do not know, Daddy lives on a plane." That's when I realized how absurd my life really is.
They remained loyal to the Stones for decades afterward. Why?
Probably for fear of breaking out of this cosmos. I did not know another life. My father took me early from school because we were so poor. He was against me becoming a musician. I prevailed and became very successful. You do not just throw everything back.
Your father was very strict. You'll talk about that in your film.
Right. But that was the generation of that time. And the generation before that was even stricter. I forgave my father long ago because he did not act with malicious intent. My parents have never hugged me, never told me that they love me. Love and affection did not exist in those times. I learned to show emotions much later. My current wife was a great help to me in this regard.
What kind of father are you?
Besides my son Stephen, born in 1962, I have three daughters, all born in the 90s. I raised her with more understanding and forbearance than Stephen. Because I also changed a lot. I always try to be there for you. And to help them with honesty. We are all very close.
In the 70s you moved to the south of France and got to know the painter Marc Chagall. How did he influence you?
He became a good friend of mine. Through him, I realized again that you can see beauty even in small everyday things - a flower, an old house, a sunset. I had completely forgotten that in the turbulent sixties, when I was blinded by fame and the many extreme experiences. Chagall was very important for my self-discovery. He showed me how unhealthy it is to live in extremes.
In 1993 you left the Rolling Stones. Have you never regretted the decision?
Not a single second, God is my witness! In 1993, the other Stones were in Ireland to record an album. With it we wanted to go on world tour the next years again. I just did not feel like it anymore. Back then I got together with my ex-girlfriend Suzanne, we got married, got our wonderful daughters. I wanted to be with my new family. My exit was like a liberation. It was as if I had been given a new life.
In what way?
My private life until then was a disaster. I also had financial problems. I left everything behind with my exit. Since I'm out, I feel free and more productive than ever. Since then I have written nine books. My photos are exhibited all over the world. I ran archeology, discovered Roman sites that nobody knew. I played charity cricket for years, meeting every famous athlete in the world.
You have never given up the music.
No. We are still playing concerts with my band The Rhythm Kings. Sure, slightly smaller than before, but no less fulfilling. My life is really very rich. That would not be it, if I hit the strings today for the Stones.
Do you still have contact with the other Stones?
Why, surely. Anyone who has been through so much for so long, stays connected for a lifetime. We visit each other, send us Christmas presents and birthday greeting cards. The boys are part of my family. The beauty of our relationship today: It's not about business anymore.
Do you still have dreams?
Hundreds! I want to write more books, take more photos, compose songs. And spend more time with the family. I am very aware that my clock is ticking. That puts me under additional pressure. Maybe that's why I get up a bit earlier every morning. Yesterday, for example, at half past three. That's not the rule though (laughs).
What else is different in old age?
Everything becomes more leisurely. Fortunately, the prostate cancer I got ill in 2016 disappeared. The doctor says I'm better together than ten years ago. Well, I finally stopped smoking recently (laughs). I'm not one of those people who complain about old age. I think that's terrible.
Why?
The age has charm, the age is a lot of beauty. Last week I went to eat with four friends. With my 82 I was the youngest of the round. Age is always subjective. What I know with certainty: I will do nothing to artificially stop the age. And I forbid that to my wife too.
Your life motto?
I am a very logical person. I have some obsessive-compulsive disorder, everything has to be in the right place with me. I can not start eating if the knife and fork are not properly placed next to the plate. My books and plates are all arranged alphabetically. Precision, punctuality, decency, friendliness, such things are important to me. But that's probably not a life motto, right?
They will be performing at the Worldwebforum in Zurich next week. What will you talk about?
About everything, I have no secrets. I can tell a lot, not only the old robber stories with the Stones. Most of them are very funny. I will talk about the little guy who grew up during the Second World War, later conquered the world and eventually sacked everything to start a new life. And so damn happy.
A nice story.
Yes. It's the best story ever (laughs).
Bill Wyman is a guest at the Worldwebforum , which takes place on Thursday, January 17, and Friday, January 18, in Zurich. More information at worldwebforum.com
Original article (written in German): [www.blick.ch]
English translation (via Google Translator): [translate.google.com.br]
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hopkinsQuote
MisterDDDD
Bill definitely was the quiet one.
But both share the unbelievably poor $$ decision to quit the band right before they got into big (& bigger) money..
Bill claims to not have a regret about retiring from The Stones. I think he stayed quite a bit longer than he had wanted to frankly.
Well at least he has said as much. I believe him;
Taylor wanted out too; he thinks, or has said that he thinks getting out of there might have saved his actual very life.
I think Bill, in most every significant, important and indelible way, will NEVER really 'leave' The Rolling Stones.
A foundational member bringing that kind of original unique presence that defined this very band, as much as the other members, minimally.
He made 20 out of their 24 albums. The four he missed were not definitional Rolling Stones albums, tho there are some tracks I do honestly love since he's gone. Not a whole hell of a lot of them though. And nothing that would not have been better had he been there....imfo.
Somehow I don't see Bill, saying to himself
"God what was I thinking!!!?? I could have done Bridges to Babylon!!!"
I think HE thinks that 25 or 30 or so years was quite enough.
He was on that big SW tour; he knew there would be big bucks spectacle and loads of cash to stay. It didn't come as a regretful shock.
He made history. He IS a fascinating and deeply essential part OF rock and roll.
He brought his OWN style; even his own stance.Certainly his personality and presence, He's imo always been pretty honest and up front when asked most anything about them; so I think a docu with more intensive interviews and such would be fascinating historical document, or could be....
The Glims were just too detached and entitled and arrogant to really understand the big hole that Bill would leave....Keith realized it when it was finally going down and pretty much begged, past cajoling but Bill was on the way out.
Mick was all cavalier b.s. to paraphrase; 'oh it's not like that's a hard instrument; i could play bass anybody could play bass; it's not like playing bass in the Stones is a hard job'
and other such distracting nonsensical posturing, knowing at heart he had somehow cut a huge whole out of the essence of that band.
Keith was miserable when it sunk it what had happened when Bill was actually finally out; he was not coming back...
they were working him; thinking he'd stay; he'd always been there. He wasn't window dressing; he was driving that train....
To understand how great Bill is in one easy step; think of the dynamic classic Keith bass guitar that drives the studio sftd,
one of the greatest most important and perfect studio cuts of all time in rock and roll....
...now listen to Bill do sftd on ya yas.
Case closed.
Bill owns that spot. Bill is the once, future and always bass player for The Rolling Stones, no matta what they tell ya or sell ya...
Love to see Bill's docu; I am so happy I saw him with them several times.
I've never seen them without him and am not likely to actually...
Almost every important essential thing they did, they did when Bill was a full on Rolling Stone...
I do not think he regrets leaving and i do not think he is hurting for cash or comfort.
um..
>>To understand how great Bill is in one easy step; think of the dynamic classic Keith bass guitar that drives the studio sftd,
one of the greatest most important and perfect studio cuts of all time in rock and roll....
...now listen to Bill do sftd on ya yas.
Case closed.<<
okay, those are two examples of fine bass playing, no argument..
but to imply that Bill's lines on live SFTD are way better ( which is what I think youre implying) ...i think maybe different but both served the song well
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runrudolph
thanks Cristiano for the interview with Bill.
jeroen
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MisterOQuote
runrudolph
thanks Cristiano for the interview with Bill.
jeroen
Agreed....Thanks much Cristiano.....very uplifting
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Cristiano Radtke
THE QUIET ONE is a feature documentary offering a unique behind-the-scenes look at the highs and lows of the life of Bill Wyman, former founding member of the Rolling Stones and Renaissance man of rock’n’roll. The film is currently in post-production and has signed a sales deal with New York based Submarine Entertainment and a North American distribution deal with IFC/Sundance Selects. A release in summer 2018 is planned.
This phenomenal archive has never been available to filmmakers before.
Throughout his life Bill Wyman shot hours of “unseen” film footage, took thousands of photographs and collected a vast archive of memorabilia. Bill also kept a detailed diary to accompany these treasures.
The film uses this private, one of a kind collection alongside interviews with Bill’s family and friends to take the audience on a first hand journey through Bill’s life.
Exploring his childhood in the war, the golden age of Rock & Roll and life in the present day, these are the experiences and stories of an amusing, engaging and down-to- earth man; often simply called ‘The Quiet One’.
Director: Oliver Murray
Producer: Jamie Clark
Producer: Jason Bick
Producer: Jennifer Corcoran
Executive Producer: Charlotte Arden
Executive Producer: Peter Dunphy
[gizmofilms.com]
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hopkinsQuote
Cristiano Radtke
That's an incredible photograph, thank you Christiano.
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MisterDDDD
Fantastic shots.. Love this one.
Thanks for posting!
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Cristiano Radtke
"Great lunch at 45 Park Lane today particularly memorable conversation with gallerist Ann Hicks and bassist Bill Wyman (top photo) concerning Bill’s friendship with the artist Marc Chagall during Bill’s years living in Provence. Thank you to curator Lily Ackerman and John Scanlon for hosting the Roy Ackerman lunch. John Scanlon seen here in the bottom photo with friends Bill Wyman, Peter Blake and ever fun, busy, brilliant photographer Richard Young."
[www.instagram.com]
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CousinC
How come he had financial problems in the 90's?
And it got better after the Stones?
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CousinC
How come he had financial problems in the 90's?
And it got better after the Stones?
Yes, it seems an odd remark. Of course, it's all relative.When he left The Stones he would have owned 3 very impressive properties and presumably got a decent settlement from Stones Inc.
He should also be getting some reasonable income from Stones recordings 1963/93 and all the repacakages. (20% share?).
He will have missed out on the mega b%ucks touring income but then his recording income (see above), when you consider record sales at the time must have been very impressive.
I can't imagine Bill being behind on his tax liabilities either.
I suspect he's just very cautious, partly because of his very early years and general nature. And of course properties can be costly to maintain.He's still got the Bookeepers mentality in some respects, bless him!