Bill Wyman Says Brian Jones Formed the Rolling Stones, Not Mick and Keith

A plaque memorializing the historic meeting of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards at a train station in England will be corrected at the request of former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman.

“Mick Jagger and Keith Richards met on platform 2 on 17 October 1961 and went on to form The Rolling Stones — one of the most successful rock bands of all time,” reads the commemorative plaque, which is displayed at Dartford Station in southeast England.

But Wyman argues the message is inaccurate, because it omits the importance of founder Brian Jones. “Brian Jones wanted to form a blues band and he enlisted each member one by one,” Wyman tells the BBC. “He gave the name The Rolling Stones, he chose the music and he was the leader.” Jones died in 1969.

Jagger and Richards did, indeed, meet on the train. The two lads also attended the same elementary school and bonded over a love of blues records on that historic ride. However, Wyman says Jones was the one who recruited each member into the band, and the plaque should reflect the truth.

“Mick Jagger and Keith Richards didn’t create the Rolling Stones — they were part of The Rolling Stones, like all of us,” said Wyman.

The plaque will now be clarified to say that Jagger and Richards met on the train, and went on to join, but not form, The Rolling Stones.

56th BFI London Film Festival: Crossfire Hurricane

Photo: Getty Images Europe


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content