We spend so much time trying to identify why they aren't quite as good as they used to be.

Surely there are a number of obvious explanations: age...compacency...wealth, etc, etc.

But why aren't we acknowledging the contribution Bill made? Yes, he isn't charismatic. And he is creepy on a few different levels. But one thing is certain: Highwire was the last recording that sent chills down our spine, and they haven't been the same since he packed it in.

Did he even play on Highwire?

He wasn't in the video.

Yes, it was his last appearance on a Stone's song, if memory serves.

He appears in Sex Drive (yuck!) not Highwire, at least according to Timeisonourside.com

Some of us probably disagree to "not as good as they used to be". I think they're better than ever on stage now! But still, I miss Bill's wall of bass.

See this thread: [www.iorr.org]

I dont know much about bass. I think wyman was proabably better. but when I hear them now, I like what Daryl Jones does. Im happy with him in the band.

About Jumpin' Jack Flash (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumpin'_Jack_Flash): "In his 1990 autobiography, Stone Alone, bassist Bill Wyman claimed to have come up with the song's distinctive guitar riff without being credited for it. "

Bill says (http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/wyman%20give%20me%20credit_03_03_2006):
"There were songs I did deserve credit for. The big one was Jumpin' Jack Flash. These days Mick and Keith will say I had nothing to do with its writing, but I've got Keith on film in the seventies saying Jumpin' Jack Flash was Bill's song."

Bill is a great bass player and a great song writer as well.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2006-12-06 08:14 by Beelyboy.

Jumpin'JackFrash Wrote:
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> He appears in Sex Drive (yuck!) not Highwire, at
> least according to Timeisonourside.com


He appears on both according to Timeisonourside.com

Excellent comment, Beelyboy!

I recall Mick or Keith even stated to the press something like bass guitar isn't really that important a spot anyway...

Georges Wrote:
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> Bill is a great bass player and a great song
> writer as well.


I'll certainly give you the first part, but, with respect, to describe Bill as a 'great songwriter' is stretching credibility

yeah, the guy wrote the riff to exactly one great song. more than a lot of people have done, true, but one song doesn't make him a "great songwriter." terrific bass player, tho. the stones lost a lot when they lost bill.

I acknowledge his shagging a phenomenal number of groupies.
I miss him as a member of the band.
I miss him on stage with the group.
Can't say whether or not I actually miss his bass-playing.

interesting thread, i went to timeisonourside and came up with the following rundown of Bill W's bass playing on Stones songs SF-SW and here were the results:

SF 9/10
EOMS 9/18
GHS 4/10
IORR 5/10
B&B 7/8
SG 7/10
ER 7/10
TTY 9/11
UC 5/10
DW 3/10
SW 8/12


...this is strictly Bill's bass playing contributions, not including other instruments i.e. synth he may have contributed to Stones songs.

Also I thought I read once where he came up for the main riff for Miss You, but then I also remember seeing something about Billy P.'s involvement with the origins of that one as well, so who knows??? maybe it was really Mick T's creation...LOL

My first listen to VL I did not like the bass on most songs. Solid playing but not very creative. It's played totally different from Bill.

Bill had a very unique and creative bass playing style IMO. He created interesting bass lines with pretty basic guitar cords.

Most people don't really notice the bass that much so I don't think it hurt the Stones much when he left.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2006-12-06 08:12 by Beelyboy.

Bill screwed your grandma!

Anyhow, I think Bill's bass on a lot of songs is like a mini song in itself. Just listen to songs like Miss You, Start Me Up etc.

Also, are his Rythym Kings any good? They got any albums?

Bill Wyman stole $20 from me and then copped a feel off my younger sister!

We're currently not on speaking terms with one another

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2006-12-06 08:12 by Beelyboy.

No, it's Bill Wyman I'm not talking to. I have to assure my sister everything is alright, especially when In Another Land comes on the radio - she flips out!

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2006-12-06 08:12 by Beelyboy.

Bill Wyman wrote a lot of good songs, but Keith and Mick never agreed to record them, except Downtown Suzie and In another land. Besides, Keith and Mick did not come to the recording session of In another land.
You can listen to some compositions of Bill if you listen to his solo albums and to the Rhythm Kings records.

I like Bill´s bass playing a lot, it is indeed like a mini song itself many times. And I regret the fact that I never got to see him with the Stones on stage. One tour too late!