shyGirl
Nov 21, 2002, 09:05 AM
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0800beatles/0050news/page.cfm?objectid=12373392&method=full&siteid=50061
ROCK and roll legend Bill Wyman is setting the record the straight about the Stones and the Fab Four.
The Beatles feature strongly in his latest book, Rolling With The Stones - a loving recollection of the band's story.
He says that, despite the public perception of bitter rivalry, the two groups were great mates.
Says Bill: "It was George Harrison after all, who recommended us to Decca Records. And they wrote I Wanna Be Your Man for us.
"We would stay with them when we played near Liverpool.
"And the same thing happened when we were in London - we would have them staying with us."
Bill, 65, born in South London, was the Stones bass guitarist who stood on stage, chewed his gum and was regarded as the 'quiet one' - just as George Harrison was deemed to be the 'quiet' Beatle.
He adds: "I've got some fantastic memories of those times on Merseyside.
"I love playing the city and the Philharmonic Hall where I went with my band The Rhythm Kings. I like playing the smaller theatres and Liverpool always had great crowds.
"Liverpool will remain special for me. I love the sense of humour - you can always rely on a Scouser to come up with a joke."
A quote in the book explains the difference between the two groups: "The Beatles said I Want To Hold Your Hand while the Stones said Let's Spend the Night Together."
The Beatles split up but the Stones went on to make more music and are still touring the world.
And, this week, Bill is on the road again - but the guitar is safely at home. He's in Manchester, Birmingham, the Lakes and Bromley in London promoting this, his fourth book - and he is not exactly looking forward to it.
"It's one thing I genuinely hate about it all - the promotional side. Leave me with the words and the photographs and I am happy do it."
But he adds that he is happy to meet fans in the bookshops and places where The Stones never played.
He is always glad to return home - to his houses in London, Suffolk and the South of France.
Married for the third time he is a content man with wife Susanne Accosta. He has three young daughters Katherine Noelle, Jessica Rose and Matilda Mae. Bill also has a son called Bill from a previous marriage.
His new book has been compared to The Beatles Anthology and Bill finds that a great compliment.
And what a labour love it has been for the rocker who owns Sticky Fingers Restaurant in London; there's 500 pages, 270,000 words. And 2,000 photographs.
"The book is a case of this is what happened because I was there," says the man born plain William George Perks.
"Many of the photographs are from my own archive and backed up by me. I don't have a photo-graphic memory - just a good eye for detail. A good memory.
"I have always kept cuttings - took home video films. Ticket stubbs and fly posters.
"The Beatles have stuff in their archive collection that I took because they were too busy doing their own thing." So out of three decades and 30 albums, what memories stand out most?
"I have the greatest scene in my head of playing Hyde Park with The Stones - a sea of hair and good vibes. You could see happy faces for miles.
"And I don't have many regrets. Altamont in San Fransicso where a fan died is the most tragic memory."
He says proudly that Stones fans will like the book because they are part of the story, too.
"I am really satisfied with my writing work," he adds. "I won an award for my last one, Bill Wyman's Blues Odyssey."
Bill is clearly still fond of the other members of the band.
The book is dedicated to:"Brian, Charlie, Keith, Mick T , Stu, Woody and the millions of fans who made it all so memorable."
So will we ever seem him replace the word processor for the guitar again?
He says: "Someone recently asked if I would re-join them on the road.
"In the past I did say 'no'. But if it was for some massive satellite world charity concert - who knows?
"I don't rule things like that out."
------------------
http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/rocknroll.gif
Song of the moment-A Hard Day's Night
shyGirl's Hideout (http://www.geocities.com/smw15/index.html)
"I get shy when they start to stare."
ROCK and roll legend Bill Wyman is setting the record the straight about the Stones and the Fab Four.
The Beatles feature strongly in his latest book, Rolling With The Stones - a loving recollection of the band's story.
He says that, despite the public perception of bitter rivalry, the two groups were great mates.
Says Bill: "It was George Harrison after all, who recommended us to Decca Records. And they wrote I Wanna Be Your Man for us.
"We would stay with them when we played near Liverpool.
"And the same thing happened when we were in London - we would have them staying with us."
Bill, 65, born in South London, was the Stones bass guitarist who stood on stage, chewed his gum and was regarded as the 'quiet one' - just as George Harrison was deemed to be the 'quiet' Beatle.
He adds: "I've got some fantastic memories of those times on Merseyside.
"I love playing the city and the Philharmonic Hall where I went with my band The Rhythm Kings. I like playing the smaller theatres and Liverpool always had great crowds.
"Liverpool will remain special for me. I love the sense of humour - you can always rely on a Scouser to come up with a joke."
A quote in the book explains the difference between the two groups: "The Beatles said I Want To Hold Your Hand while the Stones said Let's Spend the Night Together."
The Beatles split up but the Stones went on to make more music and are still touring the world.
And, this week, Bill is on the road again - but the guitar is safely at home. He's in Manchester, Birmingham, the Lakes and Bromley in London promoting this, his fourth book - and he is not exactly looking forward to it.
"It's one thing I genuinely hate about it all - the promotional side. Leave me with the words and the photographs and I am happy do it."
But he adds that he is happy to meet fans in the bookshops and places where The Stones never played.
He is always glad to return home - to his houses in London, Suffolk and the South of France.
Married for the third time he is a content man with wife Susanne Accosta. He has three young daughters Katherine Noelle, Jessica Rose and Matilda Mae. Bill also has a son called Bill from a previous marriage.
His new book has been compared to The Beatles Anthology and Bill finds that a great compliment.
And what a labour love it has been for the rocker who owns Sticky Fingers Restaurant in London; there's 500 pages, 270,000 words. And 2,000 photographs.
"The book is a case of this is what happened because I was there," says the man born plain William George Perks.
"Many of the photographs are from my own archive and backed up by me. I don't have a photo-graphic memory - just a good eye for detail. A good memory.
"I have always kept cuttings - took home video films. Ticket stubbs and fly posters.
"The Beatles have stuff in their archive collection that I took because they were too busy doing their own thing." So out of three decades and 30 albums, what memories stand out most?
"I have the greatest scene in my head of playing Hyde Park with The Stones - a sea of hair and good vibes. You could see happy faces for miles.
"And I don't have many regrets. Altamont in San Fransicso where a fan died is the most tragic memory."
He says proudly that Stones fans will like the book because they are part of the story, too.
"I am really satisfied with my writing work," he adds. "I won an award for my last one, Bill Wyman's Blues Odyssey."
Bill is clearly still fond of the other members of the band.
The book is dedicated to:"Brian, Charlie, Keith, Mick T , Stu, Woody and the millions of fans who made it all so memorable."
So will we ever seem him replace the word processor for the guitar again?
He says: "Someone recently asked if I would re-join them on the road.
"In the past I did say 'no'. But if it was for some massive satellite world charity concert - who knows?
"I don't rule things like that out."
------------------
http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/rocknroll.gif
Song of the moment-A Hard Day's Night
shyGirl's Hideout (http://www.geocities.com/smw15/index.html)
"I get shy when they start to stare."