The Rolling Stones in 1969 (Wyman at far right)
The Rolling Stones’ original bassist, Bill Wyman, has announced plans to auction items related to the band, collected by him during his long tenure with the group. The auction, originally scheduled to take place in Beverly Hills on May 29-31 has been moved to September. It will also stream live.
A special exhibition for the public to view highlighted items prior to the auction will be held at Julien’s Auctions Gallery in Beverly Hills from Aug. 31 to Sept. 11. The auction will then take place on Sept. 11-13.
Watch Wyman explain what’s in his archive collection
The announcement, from Julien’s Auctions, reads as follows:
“Property From Bill Wyman and His Rolling Stones Archive,” Courtesy of Ripple Productions Limited, our spectacular two-day auction event, celebrates the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted English musician, record producer, songwriter and singer.
1969 Fender Mustang Bass with a Competition Orange finish designed by Leo Fender, used by Wyman on The Stones’ concerts and recordings in 1969 and 1970 (Photo: Julien’s Auctions; used with permission)
“The sale will feature over 1,000 lots selected from Wyman’s renowned and vast archive. The archive contains not only an unprecedented collection of his instruments, stage-worn ensembles, awards, personal items and artifacts collected during his illustrious three-decade career as a founding member and bassist of the World’s Greatest Rock Band, the Rolling Stones, but also important instruments and artifacts from his ongoing solo career.
“As depicted in the 2019 documentary film about the life and career of Wyman, The Quiet One, this archive also includes a wide range of property including never-before-seen archival material, equipment, ephemera, merchandising, promotional materials, production artwork, photographs, correspondence, concert posters, records and other memorabilia.
Related: Wyman on the birth of the Stones
“‘Collecting and archiving has been one of the great pleasures of my life and will undoubtedly be one of my legacies,’ said Bill Wyman. ‘It feels like the right time to share my archive with the world. I hope people will get as much joy from my collections as I have.’
“He continued, ‘It is easier to let these items go knowing that a portion of the proceeds from this sale will support three causes that are close to my heart: The Prince’s Trust, Macmillan Cancer Support and CCMI (Central Caribbean Marine Institute) who are at the forefront of restoring the health of the world’s reefs and oceans.’”
Watch Wyman return to the Stones to play “Honky Tonk Women” in 2012
To read about specific items being auctioned, and to register for the bidding, check out the Wyman page at Julien’s Auctions.
Watch the trailer from the recent Wyman documentary, The Quiet One
From the auction listing: Born William George Perks Jr. in Lewisham, South London on October 24, 1936, Wyman began taking piano lessons at the age of 10 years old. He bought his first guitar, a Burns electric guitar in 1959, then fell in love with the bass guitar after hearing one at a Barrons Knight concert. He used the stage name Lee Wyman (later changed to Bill Wyman), taking the surname of a friend with whom he had served alongside in the Royal Air Force from 1955-1957. He legally changed his surname to Wyman in August 1964.
After realizing his band, The Cliftons, needed a bass player, and as nobody wanted to play bass, Wyman decided to do it himself, and in 1961, he created and played the world’s first fretless bass guitar with his band, and later with the Rolling Stones.
On December 7, 1962, the 26-year-old bassist went to the Wetherby Arms pub in London to audition for the Rolling Stones – whose lineup consisted at the time of Ian Stewart, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones and Chapman. After buying the poor musicians a round of drinks while impressing them with his musical instrument and his 1962 Vox AC30 Normal model amplifier, rock and roll history was made.
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Jump into a conversationAll I want is a copy of the LP by Willie and the Pisspots ..