Ex-Stones bassist Bill Wyman diagnosed with cancer

Image: Rolling Stones at Amsterdam Airport (1964)
L-R: Wyman, Richards, Jones, Watts, Jagger

Bassist Bill Wyman, who played for the Rolling Stones from 1962 until 1993, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

A spokesman for Wyman told the BBC: “He is undergoing treatment and is expected to make a full recovery as it was caught in the early stages.”

When 79-year-old Wyman joined the Stones in 1962 he replaced the now Pretty Things member Dick Taylor. His work with the band is said to be best featured on the tracks Jumpin’ Jack Flash – which he wrote the riff for – Gimme Shelter, Paint It, 19th Nervous Breakdown.

Four years after his departure from the Stones Wyman founded his band Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings in 1997 but the group haven’t released a studio album since 2004.

In 1998 he told German publication Bild he “left the Stones because their music really annoyed me.”

Wyman last joined the Stones onstage during the band’s 50th anniversary tour in 2012, at their stop at London’s O2 Arena.