Bill Wyman on Letterman, August 1, 1985

Bill Wyman appears to promote his LP "Willie and the Poor Boys" but spends most of his time talking about the Stones.

[@midnightrambler6227]

I didn't realize it when I was a teenager, but Bill is a fantastic bass player, especially for the Stones. He and Charlie, RIP, formed an incredible rhythmic duo.

[@uriahfiiya]

@Sanjo lives yes. Fantastic child groomer. Especially for the stones!

[@bodiemadison9334]

Just a point of fact: Bill Wyman is still alive

[@MikeMaxwell1961]

@Sanjo lives I give him the benefit of the doubt on this. Accusations do not make something true. I will say this. If he is guilty of anything like what you state, then I won't pay him a single tribute for the rest of my life and will denounce any accomplishments he has made over his career. And by gosh, I did not know he was still alive!

[@OneTwo11Bravo]

No shit

[@resurrectionsunday]

Agreed

[@hippydippy]

What a cool guy. The Stones have never been the same without him. PERIOD.

[@jeanetteduda6611]

Soooo true hippydippy? Are you still the weatherman?

[@ronniechilds2002]

Amen. They just lost too much when he left.

[@petermills542]

hippydippy . ...or as Mick Jagger said on their first 'post Bill Tour' ( Voodoo Lounge ) " I look around backstage, well there's Keith & Ronnie & I can see Charlie getting ready & I think " where's the one who remembers everything ?! "

[@P2Psolved]

Daryl is great but Bill understands backbeat and space better and he just fits better with Charlie. The band's recent blues covers albums is SORELY lacking in BW.

[@petermills542]

@@P2Psolved. I take your point that he' s not Bill , but Daryl has backbeat to burn ! & Miles Davis must have liked his knowledge of space. Anyway Charlie chose Daryl !

[@johnrotten3268]

Bill Wyman was so underrated... Also a very nice guy... Met him once and he was extremely humble and genuine... No rock star ego at all.

[@g-r-a-e-m-e-]

Reminds me of George Harrison, in a way, that understated manner

[@rickcrammond2617]

How, and when, was he rated?

[@johnrotten3268]

@@rickcrammond2617 he was often overlooked in the stones but make no mistakes he played an important role with their sound. Great bassist.

[@kmully8873]

@@g-r-a-e-m-e- Except George didn't f u cccccck teenies.

[@rylieriley]

Once he got going it was an awesome interview. Bill Wyman has a great sense of humor.

[@billwyman984]

I’m so grateful 😘and I hope you never stop being a fan, I would like to honour you by giving you my personal information if that’s ok by you.💘💘

[@johnmaritato3587]

Completely underrated bassist and a great personality. It was Bill who came up with the riff for Jumping Jack Flash on the organ. Mick Jagger came in the room and said: "Keeep playing that. It's good."

[@dezertfox3130]

You were there.

[@marguskiis7711]

underrated solo artist. He did the most succesful solo career among Stones until Jagger`s "Boss"

[@SPICYTUNAROLL69]

@@marguskiis7711 Keith's first solo record was killer.

[@obviously6thbeliever]

@@dezertfox3130 No, but he reads books

[@r.brookswilliams7476]

I could listen to Bill's stories all night.

[@billwyman984]

I’m so grateful 😘and I hope you never stop being a fan, I would like to honour you by giving you my personal information if that’s ok by you.💘💘

[@johnlennonsstalker2560]

@2v_5r I hate the fake accounts with a passion

[@ToyKingWonder]

Dave asking how much longer they are going to do this, and that was 34 years ago. The Stones are astonishing. Jagger gets out of the hospital for heart work and I just saw a piece of video of him working on his dance moves. It goes to show that if you keep doing what you love and keep your physical health up you can do amazing things.

[@IsaacAsimov1992]

Yep. Keep yourself in good shape and things are bound to be better than if you didn't.

[@Buelligan88]

What a great appearance! The story about Charlie was so Charlie.

[@sananto6896]

Jagger and Richards get most of the recognition, but Bill and Charlie are the most cool in conversation.

[@jeanettesmith765]

I agree.

[@lucianofigueiredo7220]

@@jeanettesmith765 Verdade

[@wakeoftheflood2]

Ronnie has a GREAT conversational personality!

[@DDEENY]

A college classmate of mine made that same point way back in 1977, that Bill and Charlie speak more intelligently interviewed.

[@fidomusic]

His bass playing on Mother's Little Helper still sends a tingle down the spine.

[@paulcooper5748]

Thats not the song thats the ghost bills talking about giving you the tingle.

[@jackflash5659]

I've never heard Bill Wyman more proud of his bass playing than on 1978's "Miss You". Wyman said "it was copied all over the world". Singles out Rod Stewart's "Do you think I'm Sexy" as proof.

[@bozkoescoto9086]

His bass line in Stupid Girl is killer

[@sotis1756]

One of my favorite stone songs!!

[@jonesy2111]

He is one of the founding fathers of bass playing in rock music

[@MikeMaxwell1961]

Bill and Charlie = the heart and soul of the Stones. They could never be replaced.

[@DDEENY]

Amen.

[@SamSam-rs8mo]

Mick and keith are the heart and soul not bill or charlie not brian not mick taylor its mick and keith you people are completely demented

[@DDEENY]

@@SamSam-rs8mo For his part, Mick's 80's solo career was a bust although he assembled an all-star band of musicians who played great but lacked chemistry. Keith's X-Pensive Whinos fared much better but again without the same or comparable chemistry. The Stones' band chemistry was forged early on and only became better over time which is natural. Bill and Charlie rocked. Thank you.

[@eightinches3671]

@MikeMaxwell, but they were replaced and that's why the band sounds different.

[@MyMuzikVideos578]

The band's historian. Witty, sharp as a tack, nice down-to-earth guy. "They all called me Willy at school...I dunno looked alright to me." LOL! Always a solid bass player. :-)

[@slide4180]

And, from what I hear, he got more tail than any of them.

[@slide4180]

@SunnyDaze-uq8ed Yes. Very much so.

[@slide4180]

@SunnyDaze-uq8ed No, not really. But thank you for your sympathy.

[@anthonymurray3550]

47 years old and I've just discovered what an absolute gent Bill Wyman is!

[@myaphextwin807]

Wyman married 18-year-old Mandy Smith, whom he had fallen in love with when she was 13. What a gent

[@anthonymurray3550]

@@myaphextwin807 Indeed, a Gent!

[@preven2296]

68 here and just discovered him! Never too late to learn!

[@JanetCaterina]

He looks so well and attractive and healthy. What a treat to hear stories about the Stones and their lives.

[@acousticshadow4032]

Bill was great in this interview; right on top of it!

[@j.w.hunter8126]

Bill Wyman's book 'Stone Alone: The Story of a Rock 'n' Roll Band' is a must read. He kept a detailed diary, lots of interesting historical notes on the Stones.

[@DDEENY]

_Bill Wyman's Blues Odyssey_ is another good one.

[@peterh1353]

Read it myself. In many ways the same story everybody else tells. The only thing I took from it that Bill thought he was being put at risk by the other members heavy drug taking. I mean if the police had come crashing in to the room who are they going to attribute substances too. Never got in to it because, as he put it: "I prefer reality."

[@RoxxHoffner]

"I like it.". Love Bill Wyman.

[@williamoxendine6121]

The coolest bass player ever 😎 he stands and holds the bass like no one else

[@robertcartwright563]

Bill said he holds it that way to keep stage lights out of his eyes.

[@tofinoguy]

Wow, what low key charm and charisma. I always take a deep breath before studying some of his bass lines, because they sound so simple when you listen to them, but when you play them, you understand his mastery of syncopation and minimalism.

[@carloslima6705]

could you tell me which songs?

[@tofinoguy]

@@carloslima6705 "Miss you", "Start me Up", and especially "Dance Part 1" come to mind.

[@rickoursler2583]

My favorite Stone. I love his solo music.

[@billwyman984]

I’m so grateful 😘and I hope you never stop being a fan, I would like to honour you by giving you my personal information if that’s ok by you.💘💘

[@jamesfitzgerald6636]

The wiz was at the Francis service station on Romford Road not far from Stratford! My father worked at West Ham Court in Stratford where they were fined! He got their autographs for me and said they looked pale and sick!

[@dixonpinfold2582]

What a great lad. You can't help liking him at once.

[@idessaoutlaw]

Bill and Charlie laid the foundation and blazed the trail for countless bands and musicians that still continue to follow in their giant footsteps. The Stones music is the GOLD STANDARD of Rock n Roll, the soundtrack of our lives, and part of our global musical DNA. 😎👌

[@jetman7946]

The Beatles changed Western Civilization, The Who, Hendrix, and Zeppelin lit it on fire....but the Rolling Stones HAVE to be the purist, greatest Rock 'N Roll Band of all time !!!

[@jackshadow6833]

@@jetman7946 b

[@adifferentpointofview105]

The Rolling Stones fizzled out creatively around the time Bill left the band.

[@christophermacintyre5890]

Always liked his deadpan style of speaking and singing. His "Je Suis un Rock Star" is the ultimate "guilty pleasure" song.

[@billwyman984]

I’m so grateful 😘and I hope you never stop being a fan, I would like to honour you by giving you my personal information if that’s ok by you.💘💘

[@christophermacintyre5890]

@@billwyman984 sure

[@billwyman984]

@@christophermacintyre5890 okay this is also a comment section, drop me a mail or message me on Google hangouts at [e-mail] and make sure you let me know I shared you this myself.

[@rochellehannan9873]

7 minutes well spent, very entertaining.

[@Paul-dz7xi]

Funny as hell, I never knew it!

[@CornPop471]

Bill came straight from his guest appearance on 'Miami Vice' to see Dave

[@mikeparkinson6859]

Bills book "Stone Alone " well worth the read.

[@QuinctiliusVarus]

I don’t understand why anyone would think that Bill is boring. I find him to have an intelligent and charming wit. Perhaps if he laughed real loud and waved his arms and made fart noises then they would be satisfied.

[@rhondadiaz4605]

I love and have always loved Bill he's so cool and funny

[@angus7278]

The Stones were not in a good place in 1985 and Bill thought the end was near. No wonder he didn't want to say too much about their future.

[@KlondikeG]

Dirty Work = A heaping pile 💩 Had It With You 👌🏻 The rest of the Lp 👎🏻

[@X1.7]

Angus Mac & he hated airplanes

[@petermills542]

@@X1.7 . Yes , he had a theory about how many flights a person could take before the odds were the plane would crash ! Bonkers ! a bit like his haunted house nonsense ! His Charlie Watts anecdote is brilliant !!

[@RollingOrmond]

@@KlondikeG Actually Harlem Shuffle and Too Rude are quite good tracks.

[@KOSMICKEN09]

I love one hit to the body, sleep tonight and hold back

[@mickangelo2720]

What a charming Interview! Dig Bill`s humour

[@billwyman984]

I’m so grateful 😘and I hope you never stop being a fan, I would like to honour you by giving you my personal information if that’s ok by you.💘💘

[@rickenright5232]

Great Charlie Watts story! Bill, so laid back and relaxed. Dave seems kind of over-excited. I was expecting Don Rickles to step in and say, "What are ya yelling for? He's sitting right here!"

[@dynjarren7523]

I like his droll sense of humor! Cooler than a Cucumber! He used to play the bass and scout out the babes during shows because he didn’t have to sing. I heard he was asked to join the Stones because he was the only one who owned an Big amplifier! He had the equipment when they needed it.

[@jeffgoates8209]

He never Freaking moved on stage !Mick used to run past him and push him . Maybe 2 steps and he was back to statue !

[@jeffgoates8209]

True Story !

[@DDEENY]

Bill noted re: The Stones El Mocambo Club 03/04,05/1977 appearances in Toronto that the girls in to front right near the stage were so close to the stage that they were grabbing the band members' crotches. Those shows were great and found the band in their true element as when they started as a fledgling London R&B cover club band. The rest is history.

[@crapple009]

@@DDEENY Maggie Trudeau holding court with Mick Jagger comes to mind.

[@mixhaelamikovich]

what a funny dude lol

[@charlesmiddleton4305]

Bill was born in the 1930's, everybody else was born in the 1940's

[@No-rd2gz]

And Mandy Smith was 13 when they started dating

[@abercrombie1416]

Got my photo with Bill ,he had no problem with it,nice person all round✌✌

[@atbglenn]

My favorite Rolling Stone.

[@kpax45]

My favorite is Charile Watts, love the story Bill told about him.

[@atbglenn]

I like him too. Bill and Charlie are still good friends

[@bonhamhouse1169]

Him?

[@riccardocondorelli2220]

Bill was not a Rolling Stone, he was just a stone.

[@atbglenn]

@ekimshield, I agree.

[@12babyapes59]

Willie and the poor boys one of my favorite records for 30 years , XLNT

[@jnadle1]

But that was named after a hit from Creedence Clearwater Revival.

[@chemicalbrother7613]

Incredible bass lines most of the time, but the one on Silver Train is my favorite, builds the whole pulsating feeling. Such an underrated track and album too.

[@johnsheehan3671]

Who would have thought in 2022 the Stones would still be around!

[@user-lq3yz6pf4z]

Another great bassist who keeps the band together

[@justincase4812]

Quintessential bassist. Reliable, honest no mincing. Been there dunn that Dave.

[@Matthew_Eitzman]

His actual name is William Perks.

[@tosin123food9]

Bill Wyman He is my favourite bass player

[@jackflash5659]

Bill looks so friggin' cool when he came out.

[@atbglenn]

Because Bill is cool.

[@pip12111]

jack flash looking pretty smooth being 49 there. I,m 50 now and grey

[@atbglenn]

Hi Kevin. I'm 66 and greying. Still have all my hair.

[@robertbrown8362]

im 60 and dunno if brexit will ever happen!

[@fuchsiaswing8545]

When I met Bill, he couldn't have been any taller than 5’5”. Such a petit guy in person, but behind that unassuming presence on stage, his personality was witty and very engaging, especially if he liked you.

[@mjp96]

Emotional Rescue (1980) is not considered a Stones classic, in fact it was almost disco-y. But Bill's bass on that album really stand out!

[@percyjackson3416]

Wow I'd like to jus sit their and hear him talk..

[@jamesgilliam5278]

He's so funny. And he's so dry speaking. Very sober sounding. And that makes it even funnier. Like Charlie would be very serious about something and the way he'd say it would make people roll.

[@danv8717]

It looked alright to me 😂

[@billwyman984]

I’m so grateful 😘and I hope you never stop being a fan, I would like to honour you by giving you my personal information if that’s ok by you.💘💘

[@templegoddessjourneys]

Wow what a human! You can see that he is an extraordinary soul. They are gods. Someone said one time that rockstars come from Venus. He looked at David like he was sizing him up by looking deep within him. That is someone who knows himself so well that there is no need to not be vigilant of his surroundings including those around him and he looks very deep. Just wow.

[@37Dionysos]

His first arrest was for public pissing. "It was then we realized what to do for publicity."

[@billwyman984]

I’m so grateful 😘and I hope you never stop being a fan, I would like to honour you by giving you my personal information if that’s ok by you.💘💘

[@voicevoice2053]

Bill lives in "Gedding Hall" in the County of Suffolk. UK. A small hamlet near a small village

[@billwyman984]

I’m so grateful 😘and I hope you never stop being a fan, I would like to honour you by giving you my personal information if that’s ok by you.💘💘

[@voicevoice2053]

@@billwyman984 you jerk. It's public information. Educate yourself

[@victorkreitner754]

Dave.."how much longer you guys doing this band thing" 1985...Move forward 34 years to 2019...still playing..that's hilarious.

[@leahmonday4686]

I LOVE HIM! lm

[@nomorebushz]

He was the brains with Rewind, an excellent entertaining video.

[@philthompson8574]

In all the years I've known the rolling Stones I've never heard him speak in a relaxed way until now (2020) I always thought he was quite aggressive and miserable but he and Charley seem to be the nice guys of the Stones

[@davidboyce8683]

What a lovely guy Bill is .

[@daviddoyle4516]

Bill is "Dah Big Bruddha" of all the Stones,,,,he's the historian ,,,,,and was was the first to "step up" when there was trouble on the road.I really respect the guy and still cant believe the lads let him go a the bass player.Shame shame shame Mick and Keith,,,,,

[@dongiller]

My understanding is that it was Bill's decision to leave the band, and not Mick and Keith's.

[@davidmellish3295]

He left,what's it got to do with Mick and Keith? They didn't make him go,he said he'd done it for 30 years and that's enough

[@nomorebushz]

Willie looks alright. He’s quite the gentleman once you allow him his wizz.

[@derrickwest2576]

Bill Wyman good interview...

[@stevekemp4057]

Bill Wyman is the rollingest of the rolling stones!

[@atbglenn]

Bill and Charlie made the Stones with their amazing rhythm section.

[@suzannepoisson5792]

Glenn Martin don’t forget Brian Jones

[@phillydog17]

Willy and The Poor Boys is a great LP!

[@atbglenn]

Agreed. And Bill's first solo album too!

[@tdunph4250]

I know it's hard to believe but Dave and his show actually got better from here on in

[@strothermartin5368]

80's fashion.

[@eugenefritsch2972]

I saw a book of all the stuff this man has collected over the years. Tickets posters news stories. I didn’t buy it first round but second round the books were sold out. I can’t find it online either. Damn!!!

[@pledgestone]

I had that album, I used to listen to it all the time. I think I'll look for another copy....

[@acousticmusic3615]

MY FAVORITE STONE!

[@simplechronology2605]

Interesting when Dave asked him how much longer he'd be in the Stones. Bill had alluded to mixing an album, which would have been the rancorous "Dirty Work". He appeared on one more studio album after that (and accompanying live album), and was done. The Stones were approaching the closest point they had ever come to breaking up in 1985.

[@paulbadoo9326]

Wyman was a Rolling Stone in the sense of fitting into that 5 piece unit perfectly. When he left, the band ceased to exist in a sense, probably as the Beatles without George Harrison would have ceased to exist. Actually, the one Stone that can be compared to Harrison was Wyman, not Jones. He wrote songs, tried hard to record them with the band, and felt the pressured of being overshadowed by Mick and Keith, same as George did by John and Paul.

[@simonworman7898]

Back then South London humour got wasted anybody north of London bridge ,West of Colliers Wood, east of Dartford and south of Penge,taking it across the Atlantic was brave!

[@andyserfes4884]

"I had to take a wee wee.

[@atbglenn]

We all can relate :)

[@bollywoodway3312]

"How long are the Stones going to be around?" -1985 Meanwhile, they are still touring in 2018. Without Bill, though.

[@sotis1756]

Well then it ain't The Stones..

[@billwyman984]

I’m so grateful 😘and I hope you never stop being a fan, I would like to honour you by giving you my personal information if that’s ok by you.💘💘

[@brianmorecombe2726]

Best thing they ever did.Why they allowed a band member who was having sexual relations with a 13 year old is beyond me.

[@stevenmason8286]

His quick british wit is a bit too fast for the audience. They missed a few Willie jokes. LOL.

[@ahcapella]

Oh they GOT the Little Willie joke, but there was about a 2 second delay. Yes, Bill was a clever bloke.

[@petermills542]

Keith when asked about Bill & Mandy Smith said " Well Bill's trouble is that he thinks with his dick" !

[@peterstears784]

Love Bill hes the best!

[@jimmydyne]

Bill W loves the Palace! South London boy 🔴🔵

[@patrickobrien4622]

Bill will turn 84 in October of 2020

[@5InAnotherLand5]

Oh, BILL!!!

[@kevgh3869]

Rock royalty!

[@DrewRandIsCool]

Mick, Keith, Brian, Ronnie, and Bill are the only band members to be arrested throughout the bands history wow how is Charlie not next

[@michaelk3007]

2006 i was in his restaurant..... sticky fingers.... amazing

[@edwardjtruskyjr1921]

I've heard that Bill served tea to a great deal of young women.

[@edwardjtruskyjr1921]

Yes Bills tea. Unfortunately Bills tea was offered to many a pretty young prospect. It was said to taste; foul beyond belief. A cross between Baba strisands week old undies and wort hogs sweat.

[@edwardjtruskyjr1921]

Thank you so very much aperantly Bill enjoyed serving tea to large numbers of very pretty young ladies. With butter scones and cucumbers sandwiches and of course an enormous supply of Lady Fingers. One up for the Distinguished Mr. Wyman!! Hip hip Horay! Hip hip, Horay! Hip, Hip, Horey. Love, with all my heart Mr. Bill Wyman and always will. Your one of the original stones. Cherish the thought. Best wishes and prayers and luck to you and your entire family. And my nothing but happiness and joy surround you till enternity end. From Eddie " Cruel 4 days" Trusky.

[@shivapejman8155]

He’s very, very funny. What a great personality 😊

[@g.stephens263]

All great bands have a solid rhythm section. The Stones had Wyman and Watts.....nothing flashy, but solid as a rock (pun intended!).

[@anthonyscully2998]

he is great in the dancing in the street doco

[@v-town1980]

A cool, calm fella. Reminds me of Harrison.

[@conniebauer4128]

They each had the nickname The Quiet One.

[@billboys9283]

I love Letterman. He's the best, but he got a lot better at interviewing people, later.

[@dannyd1572]

:24 Rock Star. My favorite Stone.

[@billwyman984]

I’m so grateful 😘and I hope you never stop being a fan, I would like to honour you by giving you my personal information if that’s ok by you.💘💘

[@nicholas70paul]

He's very nice and genuine..

[@SunofYork]

Seems...He was rogering a 14 year old when he was 50

[@kevinsullivan8570]

When you listen to the Stones' early lps Wyman's bass stands out. His lines were the foundation and guide for the guitarists' awkward attempts at rhythm and lead.

[@alexbowman7582]

My two Glasgow friends Joe and Chooch (Alan) were working in London years ago and went for a drink. They were in a pub and were arguing was that man drinking Bill Wyman? Eventually to settle the argument they went over and as they approached it was Bill and he said “ ok you can have an autograph”, “we don’t want an autograph” they replied, then they all laughed. Joe and Chooch spent the rest of the night drinking with Bill.

[@TroglodyteDiner]

Bill's awesome!

[@lazur1]

6:16: "How much longer are you gonna be with the Rolling Stones?" 7yrs

[@jorgerobles9484]

Now the Stones are like the Who, only Two original members of the band, the singer and the lead guitar player.

[@jamesgilliam5278]

I love his sense of humor

[@gregdahlen4375]

wish i could tap a "watch later" on this

[@bigtip8371]

Just hit "save" .. your welcome

[@AGC828]

The "good old days" when there were legendary rock bands. Today we have just "opening acts" appearing on late night talk shows. NO one most of us have heard of. K-Pop groups. Sad it looks like we've come to a time where it looks like Rock n Roll is dying, has has Motown, Pop....any one we know has either retired or passed away. Once by one. Entertainment looks grim. Hardly ever any new original films. Just sequels. No more lining up around the block to see a film. Thoguh Duran Duran is making a comeback. And someone else...forget whom.. The days of the Stones, Beatles, The Who...Gone. Haven't heard any news on Mick in so long I can't remember.

[@iammenotu8483]

Looked alright to me..lmao

[@ryangettig274]

When you gotta go,you gotta go!!:)

[@ryangettig274]

After Brian Jones Heaven Bless His Soul-this cat is so the real deal!!!!