Bill Wyman's Rolling Stones Archive Is Coming To Ireland

A rare collection of musical treasures, costumes and memorabilia from former Rolling Stones member Bill Wyman are set to be exhibited at the Museum of Style Icons, located in the Newbridge Silverware Visitor Centre in Co. Kildare.

Opening on March 10 and running until April 20, The Bill Wyman and his Rolling Stones Archive Exhibition will be free to enter, and is the only European showcase of the collection.

Following the exhibition, the property will be auction by Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills, California in May – with a portion of the auction's proceeds benefiting The Prince's Trust, Macmillan Cancer Support and Central Caribbean Marine Institution.

The archive contains not only an unprecedented collection of Bill Wyman’s instruments, stage-worn ensembles, personal items and artefacts collected during his illustrious three-decade career as a founding member and bassist of the Rolling Stones, but also significant instruments and artefacts from his ongoing solo career.

A number of Wyman’s guitars will be on view, with highlights including a 1969 Fender Mustang Bass with a Competition Orange finish designed by Leo Fender used by Wyman on The Stones’ concerts and recordings in 1969. There is also a 1978 custom built Travis Bean Custom Short Scale Bass used by Wyman on the band’s recordings, videos and tours in 1978 and in the 1980s.

Another important instruments include his 1981 black Steinberger Custom Short-Scale XL-Series Bass and his 1974 Dan Armstrong Prototype Bass, as well as the 1968 Gibson Les Paul Standard Model Gold Top guitar and case used by Brian Jones in The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus concert show and film in December 1968.

Other items from the archive include Wyman’s gold and black satin two-piece stage ensemble worn in the 1970s from famed London boutique Mr. Freedom and a Jim Morrison Tribute To Brian Jones Original Pamphlet.

“Collecting and archiving has been one of the great pleasures of my life and will undoubtedly be one of my legacies, it feels like the right time to share my archive with the world," Wyman has revealed in a statement about the exhibition. "I hope people will get as much joy from my collections as I have. It is easier to let these items go knowing that a portion of the proceeds from this sale will support three causes that are close to my heart: The Prince’s Trust, Macmillan Cancer Support and CCMI (Central Caribbean Marine Institute) who are at the forefront of restoring the health of the world’s reefs and oceans.”

Best known as a member of the Rolling Stones for three decades, Wyman is widely considered one of the greatest bassist in the history of rock 'n' roll.

As well as having enjoyed a successful solo career, he is an acclaimed photographer whose images have been exhibited all over the world. Wyman is also the founder of Sticky Fingers, the world-famous restaurant in London; a metal detector enthusiast; an inventor; and a best-selling author of many books on a wide range of topics. His latest book, Stones From the Inside, is a collection of rare Rolling Stones images that went on sale in February.

“It is a huge privilege for us to host this wonderful exhibition," says William Doyle, CEO of Newbridge Silverware and the Museum of Style Icons. "Bill Wyman is a musical legend and we are looking forward to showcasing this important archive of musical treasures. This exhibition is a ‘must see’ for anyone who loves music, Rock and Roll and The Rolling Stones.”

The collection will remain on public exhibition at the Museum of Style Icons, Newbridge Silverware, Newbridge, Co. Kildare (Ireland) from March 10 until the April 20. Entry to the Museum of Style Icons is free. The collection goes for auction through Julien’s Auctions on Friday, May 29 to Sunday, May 31.

For more information about the exhibition, see visitnewbridgesilverware.com.