It remains one of the most legendary chapters in rock history: the moment British rock royalty united to fight multiple sclerosis, giving birth to an unforgettable era of charity concerts and a star-studded spin-off band named Willie and the Poor Boys.
The catalyst was Ronnie Lane, the beloved bassist of the Small Faces and Faces, whose diagnosis with MS left him facing mounting medical bills. In response, a massive benefit concert was staged at London’s Royal Albert Hall on 20 September 1983, to support Action Research into Multiple Sclerosis (ARMS). The show made history by bringing three legendary former Yardbirds guitarists onto the same stage for the very first time: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page.
Backed by Rolling Stones rhythm masters Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts, alongside Steve Winwood and Kenney Jones, the concert was an overwhelming success. The demand was so immense that the collective crossed the Atlantic for a celebrated nine-date US tour later that year, adding Joe Cocker and Paul Rodgers to the ranks. Audiences were treated to the ultimate guitar spectacle, climaxing nightly with a breathtaking, multi-guitar instrumental rendition of Stairway to Heaven (at 1:28:14 on this video):
Determined to keep the fundraising momentum alive, Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman, affectionately dubbed “Willie”, formed Willie and the Poor Boys. Acting as a joyful, low-pressure outlet, this ultimate roots-rock supergroup gathered many of the ARMS alumni to play classic 1950s rock, blues, and R&B standards. Their 1985 self-titled album featured contributions from Page, Rodgers, and even Ringo Starr, with proceeds continuing to aid Lane’s specialised hyperbaric oxygen treatments.
For a brief, spectacular window in the mid-1980s, rock’s greatest icons proved that when one of their own was down, they wouldn’t just lend a hand, they would redefine rock history.
Willie and the Poor Boys, November 1984:
Bringing the magic home: the available releases
For fans looking to own a piece of this historic rock-and-roll crusade, several physical media releases preserve the performances from the ARMS benefit and the Willie and the Poor Boys project.
The ARMS Charity Concerts
On video: The definitive document of the historic London show is The A.R.M.S. Benefit Concert from London DVD. Originally compiled from the 1983 video master tape, this release captures the full, individual sets of Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, culminating in the historic joint encore.
On audio: While an official, mainstream live album was never widely distributed by a major label, the London concert has been preserved via high-quality radio broadcast and archival CD packages. Multi-disc sets like The A.R.M.S. Benefit Concert From London (double CD & double vinyl) are available through various European import and specialist reissue labels, offering a pristine stereo record of the night.
Willie and the Poor Boys
The definitive box set: The ultimate way to experience Bill Wyman’s 1950s rockabilly side project is through The Complete Willie and the Poor Boys, a multi-disc archive package released via Edsel / Demon Music. This comprehensive set compiles:
CD 1: The original 1985 self-titled studio album featuring Jimmy Page and Paul Rodgers.
CD 2: The band’s rare 1992 live album, recorded during a follow-up tour in Sweden.
DVD: Willie and the Poor Boys – The Movie, which features the complete, retro-styled 1985 Fulham Town Hall concert film and a fascinating 30-minute Making Of documentary complete with a Ringo Starr cameo.
Standalone audio: The original 1985 debut album is also available as a standalone CD re-issue from Sanctuary Records and remains fully available on major digital music streaming platforms.
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