Bill Wyman Admits He Thought the Rolling Stones Would End After Charlie Watts Passed Away

With The Rolling Stones forming during the 1960s, the lineup consisted of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman, and Charlie Watts. Over the following decades, the band released albums like Sticky Fingers, Let It Bleed, and Dirty Work. The band’s last album to hit shelves was back in October with Hackney Diamonds. Having released 24 studio albums, The Rolling Stones sold over 250 million records worldwide. And even more shocking, the band continues to play today, leaving Wyman somewhat stunned the group didn’t call it quits after Watts passed away. 

Sitting down with Classic Rock for an interview, Wyman recalled his time with the iconic band that landed him in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With the group continuing to perform, the musician revealed that Jagger wanted him to stay when he pondered leaving the band. Although viewing himself as replaceable, nothing compared to Watts. “When Charlie left, I thought they would close. I really did. They could replace the bass, but I didn’t think they could replace Charlie, and his charisma, and what a great guy he was, but they went on, which surprised me. I wouldn’t say it disappointed me, but it surprised me.”

Although believing The Rolling Stones needed to walk off the stage for one last time, Wyman admitted, “I think it would’ve been a good time for them to… But I don’t think they’ve got anything else to do, otherwise they’d do it, wouldn’t they?”

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Bill Wyman Insisted “It’s Just Stones All The Time”

With Wyman keeping tabs on The Rolling Stones, he explained, “I’ve got six different things I’m doing all the time, and I’m so happy doing them, but I don’t think they… Well, Ronnie’s got art, as a second thing… And Mick’s tried to do movies and things but hasn’t really succeeded, and he’s done solo stuff which really didn’t work as well as it should’ve done either. And so they just… It’s just the Stones all the time.”

Outside of his time with The Rolling Stones, Wyman produced a promising solo career he continues to nurture. Over the years, he released albums like Stone Alone, Back to Basics, and in August 2024, he released Drive My Car. 

(Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)