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Topic: bill wyman co-author of a new book Return to archive
February 19th, 2005 08:41 AM
moy i think soldatti (or someone else) posted this some weeks ago, anyway here is more of the same



Bill Wyman is the co-author of a new book that expresses his love of digging up the past. He says: "Metal detecting is more interesting than a new Stones record."
Picture: Andrew Stuart.

Wyman 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."

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