Roller Les dead at 65
Tributes poured in last night after the sudden death at 65 of Bay City Rollers singer Les Mckeown, the Edinburgh-born frontman of the tartan-clad group who conquered the world during their 1970 s heyday
Tributes have been paid to Bay City Rollers singer Les Mckeown after he died suddenly at the age of 65.
The Scottish pop vocalist, known for his romantic lyrics and flamboyant fashion sense, was the frontman of the group during their 1970s heyday.
A statement from his family on Twitter said: "It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of our beloved husband and father Leslie Richard Mckeown. Leslie died suddenly at home on Tuesday 20 April 2021.
"We are currently making arrangements for his funeral and ask for privacy after the shock of our profound loss. Thank you. Keiko and Jubei Mckeown."
Mckeown was born in Edinburgh to Irish parents and joined the Bay City Rollers in late 1973, replacing founding lead singer Gordon "Nobby" Clark, who had become disillusioned with the band's musical direction.
His arrival coincided with the Bay City Rollers' ascent to fame and Mckeown remained lead vocalist until 1978, appearing on Top Of The Pops on a number of occasions.
A message on the band's Facebook page said: "We are saddened by the news of Leslie Mckeown's death. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Peko and his son Jubei, their family and friends. Rest In Peace, Leslie."
Formed at the end of the 1960s, the Bay City Rollers enjoyed huge success at home and abroad with their distinctive tartan outfits and upbeat pop tunes like Bye Bye Baby and Shang-a-lang.
They had a massive teen following and sold more than 100 million records, and in the press were heralded as "biggest group since the Beatles".
They broke through into the mainstream in 1974 after a series of singles which failed to dent the charts.
Alongside Mckeown and Alan Longmuir, the classic line-up also included guitarists Eric Faulkner and Stuart Wood, with Longmuir's younger brother Derek on drums.
Mckeown, Longmuir and Wood reunited for a comeback tour in 2015 with tickets selling out in minutes.
The news comes after bassist Alan Longmuir died aged 70 in the summer of 2018.
Bassist Ian Mitchell, who joined the band in 1976 when he was 17 to replace founding member Longmuir, died aged 62 in September 2020.
Mitchell, who was from Northern Ireland, was the first band member born outside of Edinburgh, but left after seven months.
Co-founder of the Bay City Rollers, Derek Longmuir said: "I was deeply saddened to hear that Les had passed away. We had our differences, but we spent many great and fun years travelling around the world at the height of Rollermania. And that is what I will remember. He was a brilliant frontman for the band. A great entertainer. We had some amazing times together. My sincere condolences to his lovely wife and son."
Eileen Longmuir, wife of Bay City Rollers’ other founding member, Derek’s brother Alan, added: "When Les' wife Peko called to tell me I was shocked. So soon on the back of losing Alan, it was devastating. I only spoke to Les last week, he used to call me for a blether and I was just waiting for his next call. I know what a huge loss it must be for Peko and Jubei and my heart goes out to them both. Les’ passing really does mark the end of an era."
From humble beginnings, Mckeown became one of the world’s greatest pop stars. A showman who knew how to entertain, he knew how to hold audiences spellbound and, until lock down last year, could claim to be one of the hardest working entertainers in the music business, clocking up hundreds of concerts a year.
Always candid, frequently cheeky and more often than not with a mischievous glint in his eye, he cast a spell over audiences in a way few can. "He's a real frontman," Alan Longmuir, the original Bay City Roller said. "You need someone like that in the group. I couldn't do what he does."
Longmuir and Mckeown appeared together in 2014, the first time the pair had been on stage together in two decades and it paved the way for a series of Bay City Rollers' reunion concerts in 2015 amd 2016, when three of the five got back together for a number of UK concerts.
Producer and friend John Mclaughlin, who organised the gigs, said: "I'm still in shock right now, I spoke to him last week and he was on great form and happy about life and happy to book his tour.
"We were friends as well as working partners. We got on so great and he was great fun to be around. He had his moments but was always a good laugh to be around and a great performer."
Mckeown, in his autobiography, recalled how he had come to join Scotland's biggest musical export: “In November of 1973, my band Threshold had a gig in Dunbar. As usual I was wearing really cool gear that my dad had made for me, on this occasion, a pair of bright-yellow flares, made of stretch nylon fabric and measuring 36 inches at the hem. After the show, Tam Paton came to see me backstage.”
The Rollers' infamous manager quickly signed the teenager who, just a couple of years later would become an international pop star
Television presenter Gillian Mckeith said: "Sad news. RIP thank you for the music...and the Shang-a-lang @Lesmckeownuk #Byebyebab."
Former home secretary Jacqui Smith also paid tribute. She wrote: "One of my first loves. I'm feeling some teen heartache.”