Wyman not surprised by Stones' stamina

LONDON, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Bassist Bill Wyman, who left the Rolling Stones more than a decade ago, says he isn't surprised by the British band's music industry stamina.

The 71-year-old musician, who helped found the Rolling Stones in 1962, said the band's ability to tour and produce music is due to the drive and availability of members Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ron Wood, The Times of London said Saturday.

"It's the thing Keith wants to do most of all. He does the odd record with other musicians and, apart from his family, what else does he do in his life? Mick has a bit of movie involvement, bit of girl involvement, but nothing else," Wyman said in a Times interview. "Charlie (Watts) does a bit of jazz. Woody does his art ... I don't think they've got anything more important in their lives."

Wyman told the newspaper that rocker Brian Jones was the actual founder of the Stones, adding that Jones was essentially forced out when the band's management changed.

"It only became Mick and Keith's band when Andrew Oldham became manager and Brian got eased out," Wyman told the Times. "The songwriting followed only slowly."