Bill Wyman set to meet fan who sent 'Siege' book

Terence - an electrical engineer by trade - has been a huge fan of the Rolling Stones for decades. And the Londonderry man encountered a lesser-spotted humility from within the ranks of rock n' roll sainthood when the renowned bass player vowed to meet up with him during the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival to show his gratitude for a personalised letter and book on the Siege of Derry sent by Terence.

Being a local history buff and knowing Mr Wyman shared this interest Terence decided to send him a copy of a book on the famous Siege along with a personal letter outlining his admiration for both the Stones and his bass playing.

Much to Terence's surprise Mr Wyman's personal secretary was on the line within a matter of weeks. Now - if everything goes according to plan - the ex-Rolling Stone will hook up with Terence after Friday's gig with Georgie Fame and the Rhythm Kings at the Millennium Forum.

The Londonderry man told the Sentinel how it all came about. "I happen to be a big Rolling Stones fan - I have been for years - and when I heard Bill Wyman was coming to the city for the jazz festival I thought 'wouldn't it be great to meet him.?'

"It started off with me casually saying that just to a friend - that I would like to have a chance to meet him," he said.

"But being a fan I have a lot of books about the Stones. I was looking through them and I managed to dig out an address - or what I thought was an address - where I could reach Bill.

"So I wrote a letter to him - very carefully - making it clear I wasn't looking for anything, you know. I told him, I'd seen him play with the Rolling Stones about twenty years ago. And I knew he was interested in history so I sent him a copy of a book on the Siege of Derry."

Not long afterwards word arrived from Mr Wyman's people confirming that he loved the book and was keen to meet Terence when he visits the jazz festival at the weekend.

"A few weeks passed and the next thing I get a phone call from his personal secretary. She said he loved the book and she would see if we could arrange to meet up," said Terence.

"So she rings back and says he wants to make sure that they arrange time in his schedule so that he can meet this man," he added.