Bay City Rollers heart-throb
Les McKeown Singer
BORN NOVEMBER 12, 1955 – DIED APRIL 20, 2021, AGED 65
IT was the arrival of Les McKeown in 1973 that propelled the Bay City Rollers to a superstardom not seen since The Beatles’ heyday.
The handsome, mop-haired frontman sang lead vocals on the Scottish band’s hits Bye Bye Baby, Shang-A-Lang, Give A Little Love and I Only Wanna Be With You during its most successful period.
He was first heard on Remember (Sha La La La) after replacing Gordon “Nobby” Clark.
The Rollers went on to sell more than 120 million records worldwide.They were adored by screaming female fans for their tartan-fringed outfits, bubblegum pop and pleasing harmonies.
McKeown said the band’s first pair of tartan trousers were inspired by a picture on a birthday card and were made by his father, who was a tailor.
Behind the wholesome image, McKeown embraced the sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll lifestyle.
In 1975, returning home to Edinburgh, he ran over and killed his elderly neighbour, Euphemia Clunie. He was fined £100 and banned from driving for one year.
He left the band in 1978, as its fame started to wane, but returned sporadically for reunions and a sold-out comeback tour in 2015.
McKeown struggled with drug addiction and alcoholism, and was convicted of drink driving in 2005.
He was born in Edinburgh, the youngest of four sons, to Irish parents.At the age of 15, he left Forrester High School and joined the band Threshold before becoming a Bay City Roller.
After leaving, he enjoyed solo success with his album All Washed Up, and released eight more albums. Like other band members, he said he was cheated out of his earnings by ex-manager Tam Paton and record label Sony.
He died suddenly at home. His cause of death is yet to be determined. He is survived by wife Peko and their son Jubei.