Who Replaced Bill Wyman? Darryl Jones Brought a New Groove to the Rolling Stones

When Bill Wyman left the Rolling Stones in 1993 after 30 years, the band didn’t just need a replacement — they needed a new engine. Enter Darryl Jones, a session ace who had played with Miles Davis and Sting. His audition for Voodoo Lounge was so seamless that Charlie Watts later said, “He played like he’d been with us for years.”

Jones brought a funkier, more attack-driven bass approach compared to Wyman’s melodic, often minimalistic style. On tracks like “Love Is Strong” and “You Got Me Rocking,” his bass lines push harder, locking with Watts in a way that made the rhythm section punchier and more modern. Importantly, Jones was never made a full member — he’s technically a hired gun, but he’s played on every Stones album and tour since, essentially becoming the permanent bassist without the official title. His arrival let Keith Richards focus more on his guitar scrabble, knowing the low end was in muscular hands.