Bay City Rollers singer Les McKeown has passed away at the age of 65, his grieving family have confirmed.
The singer, who fronted the iconic pop rock band and helped the group secure worldwide success with songs including Shang-a-Lang, Bye Bye Baby, and I Only Wanna Be With You, suddenly died at home.
His heartbroken family expressed their ‘profound sadness’ as they confirmed his passing in a statement on the band’s Facebook page.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of our beloved husband and father Leslie Richard McKeown,” the statement reads.
“Leslie died suddenly at home on Tuesday 20 April 2021. We are currently making arrangements for his funeral.
“If you would like to remember Leslie, please make a donation in his name to: [details] We thank you and ask for privacy after the shock of our profound loss. Thank you. Keiko and Jubei McKeown.”
McKeown, who was born in Edinburgh, was known for his Tartan-clad fashion and romantic lyrics. He joined Threshold band before he became a member of the Bay City Rollers at the age of 18.
He then replaced founding lead singer Gordon ‘Nobby’ Clark who became disillusioned with the group’s musical direction.
The band released their first single Keep On Dancing in 1971. Two number one hits Give A Little Live and Bye Bye Baby were released in 1975.
They sold over 100 million records and gained popularity with their upbeat pop songs like Shang-a-Lang and tartan outfits.
Former manager John MacLaughlan said the singer, who managed to have a successful solo career, was ‘one of the hardest working men in the music industry.’
“I’m very sad and shocked and so is Peko, his wife,” he said. “She is heartbroken and called me from Les’ phone with the news. I picked up and thought it was Les wanting a chat.
‘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.”
“He was hoping to get it all going again and he was one of the hardest working men in the music industry,” he continued.
“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.
“He was a great singer. The Bay City Rollers were the biggest band in the world in the mid seventies and beyond.
“They had their own TV show and Rollermania. They flew the flag for Scotland and made me think as a wee boy watching the telly you can be a popstar and in music and they meant a lot to me getting involved in music and the industry and the clothes and the hair and image were brilliant and the gang mentality was amazing.
“I’m honoured to have worked with them.”
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