BAY City Rollers lead singer Les McKeown has died suddenly at the age of 65.
The Edinburgh musician, whose band had global hits such as Bye Bye Baby, Shang-A-Lang and Saturday Night, passed away on Tuesday.
His family announced the news on social media, expressing the "shock of our profound loss".
— Les McKeown (@LesMcKeownUK) April 22, 2021
Manager John MacLaughlan, who oversaw McKeown’s comeback shows in 2015, told the Record: "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. 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."
READ MORE: Bigger than an eclipse: A profile of the Bay City Rollers
The manager continued: "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."
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. pic.twitter.com/TkmBNgNMaP
— Bay City Rollers Official (@thebcrofficial) April 22, 2021
Bay City Roller guitarist Stuart Woody Wood added: "I am upset and shocked to hear this very sad news.
"Les and I had our differences over the years but even though we had disagreements we are sending our heartfelt condolences to Peko wife and his son Jubie and all the Bay City Rollers fans. It's a sad day in Bay City Roller history.
"He was a great performer on stage and he was full of energy. I was roadying when Les first came into the band and I saw his first gig when he took over from Nobby Clark and injected new life into the band.
"I was 15 and he was 17. I joined properly when I turned 16 in ‘74. He had lots of energy on stage."
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