BluesFest in partnership with American Express presents Bill Wyman's 80th Birthday Gala
Robert Plant will join an 80th-birthday concert celebration for former Rolling Stones co-founder Bill Wyman this fall. The event, held in conjunction with BluesFest at Indig02 in London, will also include guest appearances by Mark Knopfler, Bob Geldof and others.
“This Bill Wyman concert is shaping up to be one of the gigs of the year,” BluesFest director Leo Green said in a new press release. “The addition of Robert Plant to an already monumental lineup is a clear indicator of the vast influence this incredible musician has had on the music world and we’re delighted that he’s chosen to celebrate this milestone birthday with us – who knows who else might turn up on the night to jump up onstage.”
Wyman was with the Rolling Stones from 1962 through 1993, and he returned for a brief guest turn during the band’s 50 and Counting tour in 2012. He declined at that time to participate in a longer reunion. “Thirty years was great,” Wyman told Gibson. “But I’ve got better things to be doing now. That time has gone.”
His group, the Rhythm Kings, previously appeared on a bill with Plant and Led Zeppelin at the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert held in 2007 at the O2 in London.
The Bill Wyman Birthday Gala, set for Oct. 28, is part of a series of London-based BluesFest shows held through Oct. 30. Van Morrison and Jeff Beck play on Oct. 29 at the O2 Arena, while Bad Company and Richie Sambora perform on Oct. 30. Fans can pre-order tickets at LiveNation.
