What Is Bill Wyman’s Net Worth?
Bill Wyman, the English musician, record producer, and singer-songwriter best known as the bassist for the Rolling Stones from 1962 to 1993, has accumulated a net worth of $10 million. This figure represents the culmination of his decades-long career in the music industry, along with other ventures such as record production, film scoring, and authorship.
Detailed Breakdown of Bill Wyman’s Financial Success
While a precise breakdown of Wyman’s income sources is not publicly available, his $10 million net worth is primarily derived from several key areas:
Music Royalties and Sales: As a member of the Rolling Stones for over three decades, Wyman earned significant royalties from the band’s extensive catalog of albums and singles. He played on more than 20 Rolling Stones albums. The Rolling Stones’ sales have generated substantial revenue. Wyman’s songwriting contributions, such as “In Another Land” and “Downtown Suzie,” also contribute to his royalty income.
Touring Revenue: The Rolling Stones were renowned for their highly successful concert tours. During his tenure with the band, Wyman participated in numerous tours, earning a share of the substantial revenue generated by ticket sales, merchandise, and other associated income streams. While specific figures for Wyman’s earnings from these tours are not public, it is safe to assume they were a significant component of his overall income.
Record Production and Film Scoring: Beyond his work with the Rolling Stones, Wyman has also worked as a record producer and film composer. These endeavors have provided additional income streams, although the exact amount is not publicly disclosed.
Publishing: Wyman is also an author, having published several books. The sales of these books have contributed to his overall net worth.
Bill Wyman’s Early Career and the Rise of the Rolling Stones
Born William George Perks on October 24, 1936, in Lewisham, South London, Wyman’s early life was marked by humble beginnings. His family lived in a pre-fabricated house. His childhood address was in a working-class neighborhood. He attended Beckenham and Penge County Grammar School, but he dropped out in 1953 before the GCE exams because his father got him a job with a bookmaker. His early musical experiences included piano lessons. After serving in the Royal Air Force from 1955 to 1957, he bought an electric guitar in 1960, but he switched to bass guitar after attending a Barron Knights concert.
In the early ’60s, he created a fretless electric bass and played it in the band the Cliftons. Bill legally changed his last name in 1964, taking the surname of his friend Gordon Lee Whyman.
In December 1962, Wyman successfully auditioned to replace Dick Taylor as the bassist for the then-fledgling Rolling Stones. The band quickly gained popularity, and Wyman’s career trajectory shifted dramatically. The Rolling Stones signed their first record deal with Decca Records. Early performances took place in small clubs and venues. The band’s early success led to increased touring and recording opportunities, which laid the foundation for Wyman’s future financial success.
Bill Wyman’s Career Highlights and Musical Achievements
Wyman’s career is punctuated by numerous achievements, both as a member of the Rolling Stones and as a solo artist. Key highlights include:
Rolling Stones Albums: Wyman played on more than 20 Rolling Stones albums. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.
Solo Albums and Soundtracks: Beyond his work with the Rolling Stones, Wyman has also released five solo albums and the soundtrack to the 1981 film “Green Ice.”
Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings: In 1997, Wyman formed the blues rock band Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, releasing six studio albums with them.
“Rolling Stone” Ranking: In 2020, Bill was ranked #23 on “Rolling Stone” magazine’s list of “The 50 Greatest Bassists of All Time.”
Real Estate and Personal Investments
Specific details regarding Wyman’s real estate holdings and personal investments are not publicly available. It is likely that he has invested in a variety of assets over the years, including real estate, stocks, and other financial instruments. However, the exact nature and value of these investments are not known.
Wyman owned the Sticky Fingers restaurant in London for 32 years, but it closed in June 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2007, he began selling metal detectors that he designed. His website describes the Bill Wyman Signature Detector as “the ideal metal detector for anyone starting out treasure hunting.”
Philanthropic Activities and Recognition
Wyman has been involved in various philanthropic endeavors throughout his career. In 1983, he organized a concert tour to raise money for Action Research into Multiple Sclerosis, featuring musicians such as Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck.
Wyman has been nominated for six Grammys. In 2013, he was honored with a Gold Badge Award from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors. While Bill was with the Rolling Stones, the band received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1987) and won a Q Award for Best Live Act (1990), Pollstar Concert Industry Awards for Major Tour Of The Year, Concert Industry Event Of The Year, and Most Creative Stage Production for the “Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle Tour” (1990), an ASCAP Pop Music Award for Most Performed Song for “Mixed Emotions” (1991), and a Juno Award for International Entertainer of the Year (1991). The band also earned six NME Awards: British Rhythm and Blues (1964), Best New Disc Of The Year for “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (1965), Best R&B Group (1966, 1967, and 1968), and Best Dressed Sleeve for “Some Girls” (1978).
Bill Wyman’s Personal Life and Health
Bill married Diane Cory on October 24, 1959, and they welcomed son Stephen on March 29, 1962. They divorced after 10 years of marriage, and Wyman married Mandy Smith, who was 18 at the time, on June 2, 1989. According to Mandy, Bill began a sexual relationship with her when she was just 14 years old. Wyman and Smith divorced in 1993, then he married Suzanne Accosta on April 21st of that year. Bill and Suzanne have three daughters, Katherine (born in 1994), Jessica (born in 1995), and Matilda (born in 1998).
Wyman is a fan of Crystal Palace F.C., and he enjoys cricket and has played in charity matches.
Bill smoked for 55 years, but he gave it up in 2009 after doctors warned him that he was “very close to starting” emphysema. In early 2016, Wyman was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He spent nearly two years undergoing treatment, and in a 2019 interview, he revealed, “I’ve been totally cured…Back to normal now, and I didn’t have to have the hammer and chisel job, either. Just radiotherapy, so there was no cutting in or anything, which was nice.”
Bill is a photographer, and in 2010, an exhibition of his photographs was held in St Paul de Vence, France. Three years later, another exhibition took place at London’s Rook & Raven Gallery.