At 87, former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman has broken his decades-long silence, revealing that Mick Jagger’s ego, control, and betrayals poisoned their brotherhood — a painful confession that now threatens to overshadow the band’s 65th anniversary celebrations and shatter fans’ belief in their legendary unity.

For more than six decades, the Rolling Stones have stood as one of the most iconic bands in music history, their image built on rock anthems, rebellious swagger, and the magnetic presence of frontman Mick Jagger.

But behind the glamour and fame, simmering tensions and unspoken truths have long haunted the band.

Now, at the age of 87, former bassist Bill Wyman has finally chosen to speak openly about what he describes as the “dark underbelly” of the Stones — and his words may forever change how fans view Mick Jagger.

Wyman, who left the Rolling Stones in 1993 after more than 30 years with the group, sat down for a rare interview last week in London, where he discussed his career, his health, and most notably, his complex relationship with his former bandmates.

But it was his comments about Mick Jagger that set off shockwaves across the music world. “The truth has been hiding in plain sight all these years,” Wyman said with a quiet sigh.

“Mick was never easy to be around. He thrived on control, on manipulation, and on making sure the rest of us knew our place.”

For decades, rumors of tension within the band have circulated — Keith Richards famously called Jagger “unbearable” in his 2010 autobiography, and former members have occasionally hinted at explosive disagreements behind closed doors.

Yet Wyman, who had always remained diplomatic and discreet, never publicly fueled the drama — until now. “It wasn’t just ego, though Mick’s ego could fill a stadium,” Wyman continued.

“It was the rivalry, the constant need to prove he was the star, even at the expense of friendships. There were times when the rest of us felt completely disposable.”

The revelations cut deep for fans who have idolized the Stones’ seemingly unbreakable brotherhood.

Wyman recalled moments in the 1970s and 1980s when tensions ran so high that members would refuse to speak to each other offstage, communicating only during performances.

“People see the music, the tours, the glamour,” he said.

“What they don’t see are the betrayals, the jealousy, and the loneliness that comes with being in Mick’s shadow. He was brilliant, no doubt about it. But he could also be brutal.”

Asked why he waited until now to speak, Wyman admitted that time and age had given him perspective.

“I’ve held my tongue for too long,” he said. “I didn’t want to be the one to tarnish the legend. But I think people deserve to know that not everything was what it seemed.

The myth of unity was just that — a myth.”

The timing of Wyman’s comments is significant. The Rolling Stones are preparing to celebrate their 65th anniversary as a band, with plans for a worldwide tour and the release of a new documentary chronicling their legacy. I

ndustry insiders fear that Wyman’s statements could overshadow those celebrations, dredging up old wounds that the band had hoped were long buried.

Reactions have been swift. Fans flooded social media with mixed emotions — some defending Jagger as the driving force behind the Stones’ success, while others expressed heartbreak at the thought that the band’s internal struggles were far darker than they had imagined.

One fan wrote, “If even Bill Wyman, the quiet one, says Mick was toxic, then you know it must be true.” Another countered, “Without Jagger, there is no Rolling Stones. Every genius has their flaws.”

Music historians note that this isn’t the first time the Rolling Stones’ carefully cultivated image has cracked.

From drug busts in the 1960s to Richards’ barbed criticisms, the band has always walked a fine line between unity and chaos. Still, Wyman’s testimony feels different — not a passing insult or a casual remark, but a deliberate attempt to set the record straight.

“Mick was always obsessed with being seen as untouchable,” Wyman said in one of the interview’s most damning lines.

“But the truth is, he hurt a lot of people along the way. Fame was everything to him, and friendship was secondary.”

As the Stones continue their march into music history, the fallout from Wyman’s confession remains uncertain.

Will it fracture the band’s image forever, or will it simply add another layer to their already mythic reputation as rock’s most turbulent survivors?

For now, one thing is certain: at 87 years old, Bill Wyman has finally broken his silence, and his words have reignited one of rock ’n’ roll’s oldest debates.

Behind the unforgettable riffs, sold-out stadiums, and immortal hits lies a story of rivalry, power, and betrayal — and the world is only just beginning to hear it.