Bay City Rollers bassist Ian Mitchell dies at 62
● Northern Irish teen was first band member from outside Edinburgh
Former Bay City Rollers band member Ian Mitchell has died aged 62.
Mitchell, from Northern Ireland, was the first person to join the group from outside its home town of Edinburgh.
He was with the band for a short time, joining in 1976 when he was just 17 and leaving after seven months.
The official Bay City Rollers Facebook page released a statement announcing Mitchell’s death in the early hours of yesterday morning.
The statement said: “We are deeply saddened by the news of Ian Mitchell’s death. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Wendy, their family and friends. Rest In Peace, Ian.”
Mitchell joined the band to replace bassist Alan Longmuir. The group’s success had taken its toll on Long muir, who was also significantly older than the other band members.
While with the Bay City Rollers, Mitchell recorded one album, Dedication, in 1976, and had a hit cover of the Dusty Springfield song I Only Want To Be With You. The track, on which Mitchell sang the lead vocals, reached number 12 on the US charts.
The album also featured a cover of John Paul Young’ s Yesterday’s Hero, written by Vanda & Young. Mitchell left in late 1976 as the band’s popularity began to dwindle. He was replaced by guitarist Pat Mcglynn.
He later said his decision to leave was influenced by infighting within the group. Mitchell went on to form the band Rosetta Stone, a Northern Irish group backed by Bay City Rollers manager Tam Paton. The group toured Japan and Thailand and made a cover of the 19 60s Cream song Sunshine of Your Love.
They released their first album, Rock Pictures, in 1978, but had little success in the UK.
Mitchell left in 1979. He then formed the Ian Mitchell Band later in 1979, and worked on several solo music projects.
Mitchell joined several Bay City Rollers reunions later in life, as well as those for Rosetta Stone.
Stuart “Woody” Wood, who is among the founding members of the Bay City Rollers and still performs with the band, wrote on Facebook: “Very sad, sad news about Ian Mitchell.
“We’d like to send our love and condolences to Wendy and all Ian’s family and friends ... you are in our hearts.
“I have many fond memo - ries of Ian, not only in the BCR days, but also when we played together in the 80s with The Passengers ... great guys and great days! You will so rely be missed Ian .” The band’ s current line -up features Ian Thomson on lead vocals and guitar, Marcus C or dock on bass guitar, Jamie Mcgrory on drums and Wood on guitar.