Photo: Bonhams
Between 1962 and 1993, all the bass playing you can hear on Rolling Stones records is credited to Bill Wyman. When Bill got into the Stones in 1962, the now 78-year-old Brit was the only member married, employed and older than his colleagues. He’s also a big classic car aficionado, with two of his old-timers preparing to hit the auction block next month.
The vehicles in question are a 1971 Citroen SM and a 1966 Mercedes-Benz 250 S Automatic. Believe it or not, Wyman declared to the peeps from Bonhams: "I had the very first Mercedes that featured blacked-out windows. Everyone was getting black windows; –Mick Jagger and Brian Jones did in their Minis.”
In addition to the aforementioned, the former Rolling Stones bassist continues: “Mercedes had never done black windows though, so I had to contribute to the research on how to make them. It cost me about £350. Then of course, I got stopped all the time. The police usually just wanted to see who was in it." Textbook rock & roll.
On the other hand, the 1971 Citroen SM is “so easy to drive,” Bill used it to go back and forth places like Spain, Italy and England a number of occasions. The rock star explains: “The minute I saw the Maserati, I thought, this is it! It looked so beautiful. They showed me that incredible engine and the double headlights, and I thought, incredible! I fell in love with it. I'd drive it to Keith Richards' place, miles away in Cap Ferrat, to record the Exile on Main Street album, and I'd drive to Paris and back, an eight-hour journey each way.”
Other than Exile on Main Street, the Citroen SM was used as a daily driver during the period that saw the launch of Tattoo You, Emotional Rescue, and Some Girls. Before the Frenchie was acquired, Bill used the Merc to travel around London and to Olympic Studios “where we were recording Beggars Banquet and Let it Bleed. When we weren't in the studio or touring I drove it round England with my camera, taking photos.” Despite his appreciation for these cars and the good condition they’re in, Wyman decided to sell them.
"I am sorry to say goodbye to these two cars, but having enjoyed them so much over the years and having kept them both in pristine condition, I feel they should now go to people who will love and take care of them as much as I have." The Bonhams auction house will offer these two blasts from the past on June 26.
In addition to the aforementioned, the former Rolling Stones bassist continues: “Mercedes had never done black windows though, so I had to contribute to the research on how to make them. It cost me about £350. Then of course, I got stopped all the time. The police usually just wanted to see who was in it." Textbook rock & roll.
On the other hand, the 1971 Citroen SM is “so easy to drive,” Bill used it to go back and forth places like Spain, Italy and England a number of occasions. The rock star explains: “The minute I saw the Maserati, I thought, this is it! It looked so beautiful. They showed me that incredible engine and the double headlights, and I thought, incredible! I fell in love with it. I'd drive it to Keith Richards' place, miles away in Cap Ferrat, to record the Exile on Main Street album, and I'd drive to Paris and back, an eight-hour journey each way.”
Other than Exile on Main Street, the Citroen SM was used as a daily driver during the period that saw the launch of Tattoo You, Emotional Rescue, and Some Girls. Before the Frenchie was acquired, Bill used the Merc to travel around London and to Olympic Studios “where we were recording Beggars Banquet and Let it Bleed. When we weren't in the studio or touring I drove it round England with my camera, taking photos.” Despite his appreciation for these cars and the good condition they’re in, Wyman decided to sell them.
"I am sorry to say goodbye to these two cars, but having enjoyed them so much over the years and having kept them both in pristine condition, I feel they should now go to people who will love and take care of them as much as I have." The Bonhams auction house will offer these two blasts from the past on June 26.
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