By: Jim Beviglia (American SongWriter)
The Rolling Stones have been in existence now for more than 60 years. And for approximately half that time, four of the members were set in, forgive the pun, stone. That all changed when bassist Bill Wyman decided to depart in the early 1990s.
His decision was a shock to rock and roll fans around the world. As it turned out, it surprised the other members of the band as well. Except for a few special occasions, Wyman has remained a former Stone, proving his initial decision was no mere whim.
The Replacement Becomes the Stalwart
It’s not that The Rolling Stones didn’t undergo some changes to their lineup during their peak recording years of the ’60s through the ’80s. But those changes were all confined to one particular spot, what might be called the band’s second guitarist. Brian Jones held that role originally, but he was fired (and died shortly thereafter). Mick Taylor replaced him, but he left before Ronnie Wood, who holds that spot to this day, took over.
Meanwhile, singer Mick Jagger, guitarist Keith Richards, drummer Charlie Watts, and bassist Bill Wyman were in place when the band recorded their debut single in 1963. That quartet never wavered, although periodic blowups between Jagger and Richards occasionally threatened that stability.
Wyman, interestingly enough, wasn’t technically an original member of the unit. Jagger’s childhood friend Dick Taylor was the bassist for a brief span in 1962 before he decided to quit the group. At an audition in December 1962, Wyman corralled the job, one which most assumed he’d have for his entire life.
Wyman Wavers
In 1989, The Rolling Stones made a triumphant comeback of sorts with the album Steel Wheels. It followed a period of rancor between Jagger and Richards that looked like it might be too damaging to overcome. When the album arrived and it—as well as its accompanying tour—proved a return to prime form, it looked like the band’s core unit might never stop.
But Wyman was having second thoughts. Despite what many would consider one of the most enviable jobs in music as an entrenched member of the biggest band in rock and roll, he wanted to do more with his life than just spin on the whole album-tour hamster wheel. In 1991, he informed the group he was planning on leaving after playing on the single “Highwire.” (He didn’t even appear in the video.)
Since the Stones were due for a break anyway, there wasn’t too much concern in their camp. Jagger, Richards, and Watts never thought Wyman would go through with it when push came to shove. Needless to say, their confidence in Wyman’s return was misplaced.
The Final Decision
By the beginning of 1993, The Rolling Stones were revving up to record their next album. Despite repeated entreaties, however, they could not convince Wyman to renege on his decision. Finally realizing there was no changing his mind, the band officially announced his departure.
To replace Wyman for recording of the album Voodoo Lounge, the band hired Daryl Jones, a former sideman for everyone from Miles Davis to Sting, to play bass. Although he has never been named an official member, Jones has played on all of the Stones’ studio albums and tours since.
As for Wyman, he has returned to the fold for a few live shows, and he played on a single song on the 2023 album Hackney Diamonds. But he has mostly remained, to quote the title of his autobiography, a Stone Alone, sticking to the original decision even his fellow band members never thought he’d make.
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