Bill Wyman, the Rhythm King
1.0 – How did Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings come together originally?
As a simple continuation of the bandWillie & The Poor Boys I put together in 1985
2.0 – What can fans look forward to on the UK tourstarting October 17th?
New songs of the same variety as ever – blues, jazz, soul music, early R&B & Rock ‘n’ Roll, ballads – by a great team – & guest Mary Wilson (Supremes)
3.0 – It’s like you are on a life-long expedition into the heart of rhythm & blues, Bill Wyman Signature Metal Detector aside, are there similarities to treasure hunting when considering what material to play?
Yes, it’s like an archaeological dig into the roots of music & coming up with some forgotten gems…
4.0 – What do you think has lead to the recent resurgence of interest in more traditional Americana roots music?
The lack of very few people writing decent songs anymore.
5.0 – You helped define the stereo-type of the bass player as the unassuming one; how do you like being more up front now in your own band?
I’m not – I stand beside the drums – I only come to the front on a few necessary occasions.
6.0 – Dynamics have always been a hallmark of your playing, do you vary your amp or bass settings during a show?
Neither – I vary the pressure I play on the strings with my thumb.
7.0 – You occasionally play with the bass vertical, is that subtle theatrics? a love of playing stand-up? a chance to rest and reposition your fingers?
Playing the bass vertical was because of my short reach – since I now played short-scale basses it has become mostly unnecessary.
8.0 – What was so special about the amp you showed up with the day you auditioned for the Rolling Stones and do you recall what became of it?
I showed up with 3 amps & a big bass cabinet with an 18” speaker – I gave the bass amp & speaker cabinet to my old band mates – who later became The Herd (Peter Frampton)
9.0 – What players were you most influenced by early on in your career?
Duck Dunn – Willie Dixon – Duck Dunn – Duck Dunn – & Duck Dunn – my great mate.
10.0 – What are your recollections of The London Howlin Wolf Sessions and did the experience have any impact on you as a player at the time?
Good to play with Eric Clapton & Hubert Sumlin & help to put a great album together for Wolf – a man that I became close to later.