Bill attends 'The Great Escaper' World Premiere
Bill attended the World premiere of 'The Great Escaper', starring Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson last Wednesday at the BFI Southbank, London.
The film is based on the true story of a British WW2 veteran who escaped from his nursing home to attend the 70th anniversary D-Day commemorations in France in 2014
Bill was very pleased to receive an invitation from his great friends Michael and Shakira Caine, who he has known since the 1970’s, and greatly enjoyed the film.
‘The Great Escaper’ is released in cinemas on October 6th.
Bill views 'Charlie Watts: Gentleman, Collector, Rolling Stone'
Bill attended a private viewing of Christie’s Charlie Watts collection, currently up for auction.
Bill, like his friend Charlie, is a collector, and had this to say about the collection:
"Charlie’s auction of his collection of books is unbelievable! I have known from over the years that my best friend Charlie collected many things in his life – as I did, but this particular collection of books astounded me."
- Bill Wyman
The auction is a two-part auction comprising an extraordinary library of modern first editions together with landmarks from the world of jazz, collected by renowned musician and Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts (1941–2021).
The flagship auction, Charlie Watts: Literature and Jazz Part I, will take place live in London on 28 September, with a Part II open for bidding from 15 to 29 September.
Learn more here.
See photos from Bill's visit below:
Bill unveils childhood memoir book 'Billy in the Wars'
We're thrilled to announce that Bill's latest book, childhood memoir 'Billy in the Wars', will be released via Pegasus Publishers on Tuesday, October 24th – on Bill's birthday!
'Billy in the Wars' is the illustrated memoir of ex-Rolling Stone Bill Wyman, recalling his experiences as a young boy growing up in wartime Britain.
Bill brings history to life through the personal lens of his childhood memories, where grim anecdotes of war are punctuated by moving moments of childhood innocence and joy.
It is available to pre-order NOW - click here to pre-order!
You can also pre-order on Amazon and Waterstones
Amazon pre-order
Waterstones pre-order
https://www.waterstones.com/
Amazon e-book
Bill helps celebrate Eddy Grant's unveiling on to The Music Walk Of Fame
Bill attended the exclusive VIP event An Afternoon with Eddy, held to celebrate Eddy Grant's unveiling on to Camden's The Music Walk Of Fame.
The unique event included a welcome reception, along with a Q&A with Eddy hosted by Kevin Le Gendre.
Eddy, who emigrated to London in the 1960s, has enjoyed a lengthy musical career, with hits including Electric Avenue and I Don't Wanna Dance. Eddy joins other artists recognised on The Music Walk Of Fame, such as Janis Joplin and UB40.
Bill met with Eddy at the event, and says:
"I had a great time meeting Eddy. We first met in the mid-1970s and have remained friends ever since.
We would perform charity events together, and it was from listening to Eddy's rhythms that I created my hit record Je Suis Un Rockstar."
Bill guest stars on Notes From An Artist podcast – listen now!
Bill has appeared on the Notes From An Artist podcast – and you can listen to it now!
Bill joins David C. Gross and Tom Semioli on their podcast 'Notes From An Artist' where he discusses his latest book 'Bill Wyman's Chelsea' on the history of the famous London borough. Listen now here: https://notesfromanartist.buzzsprout.com/1771322/13099716-bill-wyman-discusses-his-latest-book-on-the-history-of-chelsea-london
Bill's latest book – Bill Wyman's Chelsea – is out today!
Bill’s latest book ‘Bill Wyman’s Chelsea’ is out today! Purchase your copy here: https://www.unicornpublishing.org/page/detail/bill-wymans-chelsea/?k=9781911397359
Bill Wyman has worked in the London borough of Chelsea on-and-off since joining the Rolling Stones in 1962, and has lived in the area since 1982. Over the past few years, Bill has walked every street of his beloved neighbourhood, photographing anything unusual that caught his eye: bridges, churches, pubs, shops, houses, monuments, decorative wall plaques, blue historical plaques, statues, weather vanes, front doors, street signs and coal hole covers.
Alongside his photos, Bill began to research the area thoroughly – its history, its stories, and its residents. Bill Wyman's Chelsea is the result of this work: a comprehensive and informative guide to a London borough steeped in culture and history, as seen through the personal and affectionate lens of a long-standing resident, who himself plays a part in the history of the area.
Complete with walking tour itineraries, maps, an A-Z of streets, historical information, over 300 of Bill’s photos and knowledge from an insider; Bill has produced what can confidently be called the ‘Master Book on Chelsea’.
Explore some of the pages from Bill's book below!
Bill meets Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace's final match of the season
Bill has revealed that he attended the final match of the season for his team Crystal Palace.
Bill says:
I went to see Crystal Palace’s final match of the season against Nottingham Forest. I’ve been a Crystal Palace fan since the first time I saw them in 1946 on my 10th birthday.
It was a memorable occasion – again meeting up with my great friend, manager Roy Hodgson.
You can see a photo of Bill and Roy below, as well as Bill's match ticket!
Bill pays tribute to 'Simply The Best' Tina Turner
Bill has paid tribute to music legend Tina Turner, who sadly passed away this week after a decades-spanning, genre-defining musical career.
Bill says:
Tina Turner was a ‘Force of Nature’ onstage. I knew her for three decades. Whenever we met, she was always friendly and humourous, and she would refer to me as ‘Mr Cool’. She will be sorely missed.
Below is a photo sent from Bill captioned:
Photo is ‘Sharing a Joke’ backstage at the Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles 11th Oct 1981.
Photo courtesy of the Bill Wyman Archive.
Bill interviewed in The Times Saturday Review
Who caught Bill’s feature in The Times Saturday Review this weekend?
Bill had a walk around Chelsea chatting to Will Hodgkinson about his new book ‘Bill Wyman’s Chelsea’, out on May 31st. You can read the full interview here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bill-wyman-not-for-a-second-have-i-regretted-leaving-the-rolling-stones-8vj6gmtlh
Remember to pre-order your copy of Bill Wyman's Chelsea here: https://unicornpublishing.org/page/detail/bill-wymans-chelsea/?k=9781911397359
Check out some images from the feature below:
Bill Wyman's Chelsea – Bill's new book goes on sale May 31, 2023
We’re pleased to announce that Bill’s new book Bill Wyman’s Chelsea: From Medieval Village to Cultural Capital will be published on May 31st with Unicorn Publishing Group!
Bill Wyman has worked in the London borough of Chelsea on-and-off since joining the Rolling Stones in 1962, and has lived in the area since 1982. Over the past few years, Bill has walked every street of his beloved neighbourhood, photographing anything unusual that caught his eye: bridges, churches, pubs, shops, houses, monuments, decorative wall plaques, blue historical plaques, statues, weather vanes, front doors, street signs and coal hole covers. Alongside his photos, Bill began to research the area thoroughly – its history, its stories, and its residents.
Bill Wyman's Chelsea is the result of this work: a comprehensive and informative guide to a London borough steeped in culture and history, as seen through the personal and affectionate lens of a long-standing resident, who himself plays a part in the history of the area. Complete with walking tour itineraries, maps, an A-Z of streets, historical information, over 300 of Bill’s photos and knowledge from an insider; Bill has produced what can confidently be called the ‘Master Book on Chelsea’.
Pre-order your copy now by clicking here: https://www.unicornpublishing.org/page/detail/bill-wymans-chelsea/?k=9781911397359
Julien's Auctions 'Music Icons' auction to feature rare memorabilia from Bill's archive
Julien's Auctions have announced their 'Music Icons' auction, taking place on May 19th, 20th, and 21st, which includes property from Bill Wyman and his Rolling Stones archive.
This intimate and personal time capsule of items from across Bill's career features important memorabilia, documents, jewellery and other treasures of Rolling Stones history such as Wyman’s silver fruit set and leaves chain necklace worn on the cover of the Stones’ 1976 album, Black and Blue and a silver plate necklace of 13 interlocking Scottish thistle links worn on the cover of his 1975 solo album Monkey Grip; the original black box LP boxed set mock-up of the Rolling Stones Black Box album Bill Wyman came up with in 1974 to make use of the band’s unreleased tracks which he designed with John Pasche, most famous for designing the band’s tongue logo.
Also included is a Rolling Stones cancelled German show poster promoting their show on March 29, 1966 at the Grugahalle in Essen Germany that never happened; invoices, receipts and bills from the Rolling Stones’ day to day schedule and life on the road such as Brian Jones’ invoice from Dandie Fashions (one of the Stones’ favorite clothing shops) in Chelsea dated June 30, 1967; a tray containing 22 Rolling Stones badges from various tours most dating from the 1980s.
Other personal items include a brief letter written in 1965 by Keith Richards (estimate: ($3,000-$5,000) on Hotel Marina, Copenhagen Denmark stationery that reads, "Dear Fred; / Please send this / to my mother as I have / lost her address. / Thanks / Keith / P.S. We're all fine and healthy. / love from lads".
A framed colour photograph of a very jolly-looking Rolling Stones shot during their first trip to continental Europe in April of 1964 when they travelled to Montreux Switzerland to perform at a special Ready Steady Go taping during the TV Golden Rose Festival features, as well as numerous record awards, a Rolling Stones tongue logo telephone, a mustard yellow 1975 American tour cotton terry cloth towel with Rolling Stones tongue logo, posters, and more.
A portion of the proceeds of Bill Wyman’s auction will benefit Kicking the Stigma, “Kicking The Stigma,” The Indianapolis Colts and Irsay Family’s mental health awareness initiative.
Go to https://www.juliensauctions.com/ to find out more and register to bid.
Jeffrey Halford and The Healers cover 'Mississippi Flyer'
Jeffrey Halford and The Healers have done a cover of Bill Wyman's song 'Mississippi Flyer'.
Bill says of the song and video: “I’d heard a lot of Jeffrey’s music, and thought the song might suit him. I had no idea how he would approach it – but guessed that he would do it in his own inimitable style. It surprised me, as he’d changed it a little, but it’s a really nice version – especially the video, which I love very much.”
The video intersperses vintage photographs, and footage of the train and railroad tracks with Halford and the band playing and it’s an engaging accompaniment to an engrossing song.
You can watch the video and listen to the song here:
Bill gives Q&A and book signing to celebrate Record Store Day
Bill attended a fantastic Q&A and signing event at the new Iconic Images gallery on Saturday, 22nd April, to celebrate Record Store Day.
Bill spoke about how he first got into photography as a child, his influences, and his photos of the Rolling Stones (on display and for sale at Iconic Images).
Thank you to everyone who attended.
Pick up a copy of Bill’s book ‘Stones From The Inside’ to see a collection of Bill’s photos of the Stones.
Visions – Bill's 1981 solo hit – updated with stunning new visuals
Bill has shared a visual reworking of his hit song 'Visions', which has been updated with new visuals to accompany the song.
Released as part of Bill's self-titled album 'Bill Wyman' in 1981, it was the follow-up release to Bill's famous hit '(Si Si) Je Suis Un Rock Star' – a song he wrote for his now wife Suzanne Accosta while she was living in Los Angeles.
Bill says Visions carried on his attempt to show his love for her through music. Visions followed the hit single 'Come Back Suzanne'.
Bill and Suzanne tied the knot on April 21, 1993 – and this year the coupled celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary.
Congratulations Bill and Suzanne!
Watch the video below:
Bill's Nuclear Reactions goes supernova with new space visuals
Bill has discovered a stellar update to his 1982 classic song Nuclear Reactions – and he has decided to share it with fans!
Recorded by Bill in 1982 and part of his solo album 'Bill Wyman', Bill says he was inspired to write the song after spending nights stargazing in the South of France in the early 1980s.
"I've always been interested in astronomy," says Bill. "I used to watch the stars from an observatory in Nice, and it was fascinating to see the planets of the solar system, moons and Saturn. It was the inspiration behind the song."
Bill continued his fascination with astronomy over the years, buying two telescopes so he could continue stargazing. He was also firm friends with astronomer Sir Patrick Moore, who fronted the BBC series The Sky At Night – the world's longest-running television series with the same original presenter.
Bill says he found the footage that had been set to his song and lyrics, thought 'wow' – it looks great and he wanted to share it with fans.
The video is embedded below – click to begin your interstellar adventure with the perfect soundtrack.
Find out more about Bill's album 'Bill Wyman'.