Plumber who became a pop legend
Ex-Roller Alan dies aged 70
Stirling’s Bay City Roller Alan Longmuir has died after becoming seriously ill on holiday.
The 70–year old pop icon became unwell last month while on holiday in Mexico with wife Eileen.
Alan had been enjoying a sunshine break in Cancun when he contracted a mystery bug.
The former Bay City Rollers bass guitarist was hospitalised and spent three days fighting for life in intensive care as the virus attacked his vital organs.
He then made the 14–hour trip back to Scotland by air ambulance after being granted permission to travel by doctors, but remained seriously ill in Forth Valley Royal Hospital where he passed away on Monday surrounded by family.
In a statement, Alan’s heartbroken family described him as ‘an extraordinary man with an extraordinary heart’.
Wife Eileen said: “He brought so much love and kindness to everyone he met, and he leaves a huge hole in our family. He would humbly say he was ‘just a plumber from Edinburgh who got lucky’.
“However, we are the lucky ones; the ones that were lucky enough to have Alan as part of our lives.
“We’d like to thank everyone for the love and support they have provided so far.”
He was scheduled to appear in a show in August entitled ‘And I Ran With The Gang’ performing the band’s greatest hits,
Close pal, and director of the show Liam Rudden said: “Having worked closely with Alan for the last seven years, I’m devastated by the news he has left us this morning (Monday).
“Alan was one of the most gentle, generous and kindhearted people I have ever known. He touched the lives of everyone he met with a smile that made them feel special.
“The original Bay City Roller may have gone but his legacy will live on through his music and his passion for life.
“I know whenever I hear a Bay City Rollers’ song, I’ll now be raising a wee dram with a tear in my eye thanking him for the time he allowed me to spend in his world.
“My heart breaks for his wife Eileen, brother and bandmate Derek, his sisters Alice and Betty and all his family.”
Alan was the son of an Edinburgh undertaker and brought up in Dalry and was a co–founder of the iconic Scots group, alongside brother Derek, in the mid-1960s.
The combo was originally called the Saxons but they got on to the path to stardom when they changed their name to the Bay City Rollers. Alan and his bandmates became national celebrities thanks to hits including Bye Bye Baby and ShangA-Lang, racking up two UK number ones and 10 top-ten hits, selling 120 million records worldwide.
Alan found it difficult to cope with the pressures that came with Rollermania and quit the band in the 1970s. He later went into the licensing trade in Dollar and moved to Bannockburn, working as a boiler inspector.
In 2015, he rejoined some of his old bandmates for a reunion, 40 years after they split.
The group returned with gigs at Glasgow’s Barrowland ballroom.
Bandmate Stuart Wood expressed sadness at the news of Allan’s death. He Tweeted: “I’ll remember the good times we had for over 40 years. RIP Al.” Bannockburn councillor, Alasdair MacPherson also paid tribute. He said: “This is very sad news. I got to know Alan well as he was a regular in the Tartan Arms in Bannockburn for many years. It was fascinating listening to the stories he told when the Rollers were touring around the world.
“Alan was a warm and very generous guy who will be sadly missed by many. My thoughts are with his wife Eileen and their family.”