Is Bill Wyman and underappreciated bassist?

[Pablo Fanque]

I read lots of discussions (here on TB and elsewhere) about the best bassists. I've seen lots of "top ____" lists. Rarely do I see Bill Wyman's name in these discussions or on best of lists.

I'm not a huge Stones fan, but I have to say he did some really, really great work over the years.

Is he underappreciated or do I just not pay enough attention?

[kelleysdad]

Bill and Charlie = Pure Rock and Roll rhythm section. Hard driving and clean!!

[JxBass]

Overlooked because they played pretty straightforward, Bill & Charlie were a tight rhythm section that had a lot to do with the Stones sound. Playing his bass in a near vertical position was pretty unique at the time, I copied it and put it into my shtick way back when

[Mr. Mig]

Bill has had some great bass lines. Here is an intresting article on Bill Wyman. Doesn't really talk about his bass playing, but he was really honest about his realtionship with The Rolling Stone. A good read.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2006/mar/10/popandrock

[corinpills]

I love a lot of his mid 60-'s work. To me, that's the most creative Stones' era: Aftermath, Between The Button, Flowers, so many great songs. Of course, the hard part about appreciating Bill is that you're not sure when it's him and when Keith played bass. Supposedly, Bill tired very quickly of hanging all night in the studio waiting for Keith to lay down a track and he often took off as the night went on.

[Basshappi]

Cool interview, thanks for the link Mr. Mig

[mcm]

I love bill wyman, but unfortunately most of the really cool bass lines were played by mick taylor or keith.

[Mr. Mig]

Originally Posted by Basshappi

Cool interview, thanks for the link Mr. Mig

You're welcome, Basshappi.

[sedan_dad]

Bill's always been a favorite player of mine. He's the king of the "Space and Time" style of playing.

[NKUSigEp]

Originally Posted by Pablo Fanque

I read lots of discussions (here on TB and elsewhere) about the best bassists. I've seen lots of "top ____" lists. Rarely do I see Bill Wyman's name in these discussions or on best of lists.

I'm not a huge Stones fan, but I have to say he did some really, really great work over the years.

Is he underappreciated or do I just not pay enough attention?

To be honest, I see a different "Is Bill Wyman underappreciated" thread about once or twice a month so I would say no, he's definitely not. Does his contribution to bass, music, or even society warrant any more notoriety than he already receives? I don't believe so. I don't want to take away anything from his playing by any means. It's not necessarily my cup of tea but I can still respect his skill.

[leegreenman]

wyman & watts are an all time great team in my opinion.

[lousybassplayer]

sorry for being kind of out of the loop on brit rockers, but I was not aware that he slept with a 13 year old. Hard to under appreciate that I'm afraid.

[dan stanton]

"Only" the Beatles and Stones?" Bill Wyman, except for having sex with a 13yo, may be a good guy, but as far as bass goes, what did he do? And heck, Ringo was way better than Watts.
In the 60's Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Petula Clark, etal, were still putting out hits. You might want to check out the Billboard top 40 first. The "60's" didn't start until 1966. I was there. And what about Motown and Atlantic? I'm sure Duck Dunn took lessons from Wyman. I could go on, but I have to deal with reality.

[dan stanton]

One other thing. Jimi Hendrix played with this no name band called The Isley Brothers.

[A.K.]

Bill is an very understated and subtle player, kind of like Charlie himself on the drums. He can be very interesting, but he's certainly no technical wizard. Which is just fine.

[weemac]

Originally Posted by dan stanton

Ringo was way better than Watts.

Now thats on way to get up folks noses.....

They are equals in my view.
Ringo played perfectly on the beat, and that is the Beatles sound!
Charlie plays perfectly behind the beat, and that is the sound of the stones!

I hate whos better whos best threads...

emac.

[JimmyM]

i think bill is pretty decent. he's had some really great moments. he's a good bassist like keith is a good guitarist. i know lots of guys who can smoke them both, but nobody does stones music better than them.

[eddievanbassman]

i love bill, badass bass player

[Jefenator]

Is Bill Wyman and underappreciated bassist?

Not by the groupies, apparently.

[dave2]

I was and still am a big Stones fan. You can't beat the combination of the Wyman / Watts rhythm section live. And I love the era (1969 - 1974) when Mick Taylor was playing with them.

Dave