Bill Wyman, the former bassist for The Rolling Stones, has long been a controversial figure in rock history.
Born a working-class kid in southeast London, Wyman revolutionized how the electric bass was played during the 1960s.
However, his personal life, particularly allegations of predatory behavior towards women, has cast a shadow over his legacy. This part of his story has divided fans, but Wyman’s contribution to the music world, especially with the Stones, remains indisputable.
A New Chapter at 88: Returning to the Spotlight
As Wyman nears his 88th birthday, his place in music history seems to be shifting. After decades away from the band, Wyman contributed to The Rolling Stones’ 2023 album Hackney Diamonds.
This marked his first recording with the band in years, and he has continued to release solo music and make public appearances with little to no backlash.
Despite the controversies, Wyman is now being acknowledged for a significant musical contribution outside of his work with the Stones: his role in popularizing the fretless electric bass.
The Fretless Bass Discovery: A Happy Accident
The fretless electric bass wasn’t the invention of a single person, but Bill Wyman played a crucial role in bringing it into mainstream rock music.
Since the mid-1960s, various companies have manufactured fretless basses, but Wyman’s experimentation with the instrument predates that era.
In 1961, while playing in a band before joining The Rolling Stones, Wyman found himself struggling with a low-quality, buzzing bass guitar.
To fix it, he removed the frets, intending to replace them later when he could afford it. However, in the meantime, he discovered the unique, smooth sound that playing fret-free could produce.
Bringing the Fretless Bass to The Rolling Stones
Though Wyman made his fretless bass discovery before joining The Rolling Stones, he quickly realized it gave him a distinct sound that would work well in the band.
It’s believed that the fretless bass made its recording debut with the Stones on their 1964 track ‘Little By Little’. Wyman continued using the fretless bass on numerous hits, playing a key role in the band’s evolving sound.
Yet, despite his contributions, Wyman was unaware of the larger impact he had on music history.
Learning of His Role in Rock History
It wasn’t until many years later that Wyman discovered he might have been one of the first to popularize the fretless bass.
In a recent video posted on his YouTube channel, Wyman explained, “I found out years and years later. Through guitar magazines and people, they said, ‘you invented the fretless bass.’
I said, ‘did I?’ They said, ‘yeah, you were playing the fretless bass in 1961 and ’62 when you joined the Stones. Your homemade bass.’ I said, ‘yeah.’
They said, ‘well, fretless basses weren’t invented until 1965 or 1966, so you invented the fretless bass.’ I said, ‘oh, well, thanks! Pity I didn’t copyright it!’”
A Missed Opportunity for Recognition and Profit
While Wyman may have missed the chance to patent the fretless bass, his pioneering role is still an essential part of rock history.
Many musicians, from Jack Bruce to Jaco Pastorius and Sting, have since embraced the fretless bass, making it a signature part of their sound.
Although Wyman didn’t set out to be an inventor, his accidental discovery changed the world of bass playing forever.
The Sound Wyman Was Looking For
For Wyman, the fretless bass was simply a tool to achieve the sound he wanted.
As he reflected in his video, “That’s why I can sound like a double bass, as well. I can’t explain the way I play. I can’t explain it vocally. It’s impossible. The only way I can do it is what I did.”
Lacking the words to describe his unique technique, Wyman mimed a bass line and hummed a rhythmic tune, possibly recalling his early work with The Stones.
A Legacy Beyond Controversy
Despite the controversies surrounding his personal life, Bill Wyman’s contributions to music are undeniable.
His discovery of the fretless bass, whether accidental or intentional, had a lasting impact on rock music. Today, as Wyman continues to make music and contribute to the arts, his role in shaping rock ‘n’ roll through innovation is increasingly recognized.
His story serves as a reminder of how musical breakthroughs often come from unexpected places.
