| February 2nd, 2005 11:21 PM |
|
|
| Soldatti |
Wyman's detects a new kind of satisfaction
JIM MCBETH
BILL Wyman has been a legend for so long his early work is studied by the pop-culture equivalent of historians - but his own passion for the past is perhaps less well known.
It may seem incongruous to the lifestyle of a rock star - particularly a former Rolling Stone - but the guitarist regards metal detecting and history as providing bigger rushes than sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll, and has written a book to prove it.
Wyman, 65, who for 40 years was part of one of the world’s biggest musical phenomena, is the co-author of a new book that expresses his love of digging up the past. Wyman explained: "Metal detecting is more interesting than a new Stones record."
He co-wrote the book, a gazetteer of treasure troves found in the British Isles, with his friend Richard Havers, of Duns, Berwickshire. They have previously collaborated on music books.
Their latest work, Bill Wyman’s Treasure Island, is published next month and is the culmination of an ambition dating back a decade.
Wyman realises his hobby is sometimes perceived as "nerdy" but his contribution could add considerable street cred to the pursuit. He said: "I love it. It revitalised my childhood interest in history and I find great stuff.
"I’ve found 200 old coins, Roman brooches and an axe from 1700BC. I’ve discovered Roman sites, all manner of 15th-century artefacts, all of which are verified by the British Museum."
Britain’s most unexpected historian says that if he had not been a musician, he would have been an archivist. He is an extremely serious enthusiast, according to his writing partner. Havers said: "It’s true. He has such passion for the past. I got a call from him today with another ‘great idea’ and you have to say, ‘Bill, let’s get this done first’. He’s mercurial."
In the new book, Wyman and Havers explore historical artefacts discovered in the British Isles. "It doesn’t just log discoveries; it places them in context," Havers added. The book also aims to encourage readers to get out and make discoveries of their own.
Havers, 53, added: "Bill’s passion, apart from the Rolling Stones, is metal detecting. He always said we should write a book and so we did. We weren’t aiming to produce a scholarly work but it can be a source of reference.
"The term ‘treasure’ is one of interpretation. Some discoveries have been incredibly valuable while others with no intrinsic worth are rich in their historical value."
Havers and Wyman have been friends for 20 years. Seven years ago, they wrote their first book, Blues Odyssey, which followed Wyman’s travels in the United States tracing the history of the musical style that was such an influence on the Stones. It translated into an award- winning documentary.
They then wrote Rolling with the Stones, based on Wyman’s tours with the band. Havers is also the solo author of a bestselling biography of Frank Sinatra.
He added: "Bill’s passion may raise a few eyebrows. It isn’t really throwing televisions out of hotel windows, is it?"
Bill Wyman’s Treasure Island by Bill Wyman and Richard Havers is published by Sutton on 18 March.
From knitting to pigeons, stars need their hobbies
MIKE Tyson adores racing pigeons, and who would criticise any passion of that volatile pugilist? Russell Crowe, an actor who fancies himself as hard as his characters, likes to knit, as does the former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, indicating a homelier woman behind the glamorous image.
The rock legends Rod Stewart and Phil Collins, and the record producer Pete Waterman, have train sets.
The movie star Harrison Ford enjoys carpentry - it was his profession before fame came knocking - and Emily Procter, a star of CSI Miami, the TV police series, spends her days off decorating the houses of friends.
Not pursuits you associate with the rich and famous: no big fees, no limelight. But the key is the simplicity of the pleasures, according to Professor Prem Misra, a consultant psychiatrist.
He said: "You invariably find celebrities indulge in hobbies which take them away from the limelight and the tremendous stresses of stardom.
"And because they are usually highly intelligent and motivated they embrace them with the same passion as work. Rod Stewart will probably have the best train set in the world.
"And Bill Wyman’s metal detecting is significant because it requires him to remove himself to places of tranquility. Finding constructive distraction is hugely important to celebrities." |
| February 2nd, 2005 11:36 PM |
|
|
| mac_daddy |
i archive shows...
ain't nothin' wrong with havin' a hobby!!! |
| February 3rd, 2005 09:06 AM |
|
|
| Ronnie B. Wood |
JESUS DOESNT LIKE YOU, PERKS!!
BURN IN HELL! |
| February 3rd, 2005 09:53 AM |
|
|
| Phog |
I completely respect Wyman for his work with the Stones. I even respect his right to an opinion. That said, I wish he'd shut his hole about the band. |
| February 3rd, 2005 10:12 AM |
|
|
| nankerphelge |
Agreed!
Wyman's sour grapes whine is older than the stuff he's digging up!
|
| February 3rd, 2005 03:52 PM |
|
|
| gimmekeef |
Bill's just cranky because he cant score any more 12 yr old girls these days! |
| February 3rd, 2005 04:01 PM |
|
|
| Poplar |
Nobody likes a sourpuss, Bill.
|
| February 3rd, 2005 10:02 PM |
|
|
| Soldatti |
quote:
Phog wrote:
I completely respect Wyman for his work with the Stones. I even respect his right to an opinion. That said, I wish he'd shut his hole about the band.
Agree. |
| February 4th, 2005 12:10 AM |
|
|
| BILL PERKS |
I PREFER METAL DETECTING TO READING SOLDATTIS BORING POSTS. |
| February 4th, 2005 12:21 AM |
|
|
| Soldatti |
quote:
BILL PERKS wrote:
I PREFER METAL DETECTING TO READING SOLDATTIS BORING POSTS.
Hi Perks! |
| February 4th, 2005 04:28 AM |
|
|
| MRD8 |
I guess this rules out Bill playing with the Stones on the next tour?  |
| February 4th, 2005 05:17 AM |
|
|
| Jumacfly |
Bill is the greatest comic of the world! I love when he bashes the stones cuz he s the only one to do it and that s always funny. |
| February 4th, 2005 05:22 AM |
|
|
| F505 |
quote:
Jumacfly wrote:
Bill is the greatest comic of the world! I love when he bashes the stones cuz he s the only one to do it and that s always funny.
hi jumacfly, I hope you mean Wyman and not Perks but on the other hand it's all one and the same.
|
| February 4th, 2005 05:23 AM |
|
|
| Jumacfly |
quote:
F505 wrote:
hi jumacfly, I hope you mean Wyman and not Perks but on the other hand it's all one and the same.
yes F505, i talk about Bill not BILL  |
| February 4th, 2005 04:18 PM |
|
|
| keith_tif |
Wyman is finished and bittered |
| February 4th, 2005 05:43 PM |
|
|
| Hannalee |
quote:
keith_tif wrote:
Wyman is finished and bittered
Neither the one nor the other; he's just enjoying his "retirement".
|
| February 4th, 2005 05:51 PM |
|
|
| kath |
metal detecting is more interesting than bill wyman is...... |
| February 5th, 2005 03:17 AM |
|
|
| IanBillen |
quote:
kath wrote:
metal detecting is more interesting than bill wyman is......
Metal Detecting has always been for old folks and retirees.
Need I say more.
Ian |
| February 5th, 2005 04:48 PM |
|
|
| T&A |
metal detecting is sure more interesting than the posts on this thread.
wyman's cool - the Stones miss him more than they'll ever admit. |
| February 5th, 2005 04:56 PM |
|
|
| Gazza |
People get unnecessarily wound up about Bill's interviews.
fact is, Bill is still relatively high profile celebrity wise because of the fact he's an ex-Stone, so no matter WHAT he does, every time he does an interview some hack is ALWAYS going to ask him about the Stones and I'm sure he's bored shitless about it, but knows its part of the game.
Then of course when asked does he miss what he used to do compared to what he's doing now, he's honest enough to say he doesnt - so before you know it, the interviews get twisted into some "bitter Bill blasts Stones - and says coin collecting is more interesting" type angle.
Fair play to him for walking away from it all when he did. It would have been very easy to just sit back, take the money and go through the motions. |
| February 5th, 2005 05:02 PM |
|
|
| JaggerLips |
I think metal detecting is more interesting than Bill Wyman. |
CHAT
ROOM aka THE FUN HOUSE] [
RESTROOMS]