Did Bill Wyman Do The Right Thing?

[SJLee]

This is a bit of a zombie thread here. Just thought I would through in my 2¢.

I wanted to throw the question out there. I was reading about Bill Wyman's decision to quit the Rolling Stones and I wonder if, in hindsight, it was the right thing to do. He stands by his decision and seems quite happy with it in interviews I've read. What do you guys think? Good decision or not?

I think Bill did what was right for him. He has stated both in interviews and his book(s) that 30 years with the Stones was enough. He has many interests and wanted to do different things.

He has a restaurant Sticky Fingers which houses probably the largest collection of Stone memorabilia in the world. He's into archeology and has found some pretty amazing old coins dating back to 1100s, and well as found Roman items and fossil's. Probably why he has his own metal detector. He's also producing - something he was never allowed with the Stones. He's into writing his own music, and has several solo albums. I think he also wanted to play the type of music that stuck closer to 50's rock 'n' roll - thus the Rhythm Kings. Bill's also into photography and has a book out of photographs of painter Marc Chagall.

Bill also has a family and was probably needing to spend more time with them without touring interruptions.

 

[Luckydog]

If he's happy why should we even second guess his decision?

Precisely. If Bill chose that path, and is happy with it, then he absolutely made the right decision. How can anyone think differently? If you had been in his shoes, perhaps you would not have chosen that path, and if you were happy with it, then it would have been the right thing to do for you. This is a perfect example of how we view other peoples life choices through our own lens of values. If we did less of this, we would be so much more appreciative of other people, and frankly, more tolerant of differences.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

His life, his choice.

I can't imagine how playing for large crowds to roaring accolades would be something you'd knowlingly walk away from. But I suppose Bill couldn't imagine schlepping all the necessary PA and lights around for gigs like most of us do for gigs either.

More power to him. But I do feel they could have made Daryl a member by now, but not my band.

 

[jaco944]

It isn't like he quit right before they made it big. He did well. He had enough. That makes it the right decision for him.

Meanwhile 20 years later Daryl Jones is till considered the "fill-in" guy.

I always thought Ron Wood should have taken over the bass spot.

Exactly, Ronnie is one of my favorite bass players!

 

[JimmyM]

9 years later, and the Stones are all still alive, still playing out, still putting out new stuff, and Wyman is still playing blues gigs on occasion and digging for buried treasure. And I got to meet Darryl Jones 2 weeks ago, talk to him a couple minutes and get a pic with him that got ruined by bright lights behind us.

 

[2saddleslab]

9 years later, and the Stones are all still alive, still playing out, still putting out new stuff, and Wyman is still playing blues gigs on occasion and digging for buried treasure. And I got to meet Darryl Jones 2 weeks ago, talk to him a couple minutes and get a pic with him that got ruined by bright lights behind us.

And I'll see them for the 5th time this summer in Chicago. Very honored and lucky to have seen Bill's last tour in 1989 (from the 3rd row center for $28.00!!!).

 

[SJLee]

Not a bad price considering I paid $25 to see The Who in 1982. Quickly made that up selling premade sandwiches while waiting in line.

 

[2saddleslab]

Not a bad price considering I paid $25 to see The Who in 1982. Quickly made that up selling premade sandwiches while waiting in line.

Saw that first Who “farewell” tour as well in Lexington. The best was JE singing Twist N Shout as the encore. Best version I ever heard.

 

[buldog5151bass]

He made the right decision for him. Not everyone wants to b touring the world at 50, let alone 70+. I doubt he is picking up empty cans in the street for a $.05 deposit.

 

[StereoPlayer]

He made the right decision for him. Not everyone wants to b touring the world at 50, let alone 70+. I doubt he is picking up empty cans in the street for a $.05 deposit.

What’s wrong with that? They are worth .10 in Michigan.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I do feel they could have made Daryl a member by now, but not my band.

Purely a business decision.

 

[songwriter21]

Look at Randy Rhoads (regardless of what happened to him)...no, he obviously didn't play as long as Wyman did, but Ozzy was getting huge, and Randy still wanted to leave. He'd achieved what he wanted with Ozzy, and wanted to pursue classical guitar for his own enrichment. Unfortunately, he didn't get to do his own thing at that point....

 

[BulbousMoses]

Precisely. If Bill chose that path, and is happy with it, then he absolutely made the right decision. How can anyone think differently? If you had been in his shoes, perhaps you would not have chosen that path, and if you were happy with it, then it would have been the right thing to do for you. This is a perfect example of how we view other peoples life choices through our own lens of values. If we did less of this, we would be so much more appreciative of other people, and frankly, more tolerant of differences.

I was just putting the question out there for debate. I think it's great that he left the Stones...that takes...well, stones!

 

[5StringBlues]

Not a bad price considering I paid $25 to see The Who in 1982. Quickly made that up selling premade sandwiches while waiting in line.

I can't help but think "premade sandwiches" is a euphemism.

 

[SJLee]

I can't help but think "premade sandwiches" is a euphemism.

What I meant was I had made the sandwiches before getting in line.

 

[JimmyM]

What I meant was I had made the sandwiches before getting in line.

Sandwiches, eh? Hey, the statute of limitations has run out. You can use the real name without getting busted

 

[SJLee]

Sandwiches, eh? Hey, the statute of limitations has run out. You can use the real name without getting busted

That would’ve been a more interesting story but the truth is they were just sandwiches. Ham and cheese on white bread.

 

[5StringBlues]

What I meant was I had made the sandwiches before getting in line.

I understood that aspect. I just remember , in Texas, guys selling pre-rolled "burritos" in line in 1982.

 

[SJLee]

I understood that aspect. I just remember , in Texas, guys selling pre-rolled "burritos" in line in 1982.

Yeah, My dad was a high school teacher. There was no pulling the wool over his eyes.

 

[Axstar]

Quitting the Rolling Stones to go metal detecting: Negligible, but maybe the right thing.

Chasing after a 13 year old girl: Eh nah.