History of Bay City Rollers in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 25, 2025

The Bay City Rollers were a Scottish pop rock band that achieved worldwide teen idol status in the 1970s. Often compared to The Beatles in terms of popularity, they were known for their tartan-clad image and massive record sales, reaching 5 million albums sold. Their most famous lineup consisted of guitarists Eric Faulkner and Stuart Wood, vocalist Les McKeown, bassist Alan Longmuir, and drummer Derek Longmuir.

1973: Gordon 'Nobby' Clark left the band

In 1973, Gordon 'Nobby' Clark left the Bay City Rollers before they achieved widespread fame. He later threatened to sue the other band members if they won their lawsuit against Arista Records.

1977: Alleged attempted rape by Tam Paton

In 1977, McGlynn reported that Tam Paton tried to rape him in a hotel room. This accusation surfaced in 2003, but police found insufficient evidence to prosecute at the time.

2001: Statute of limitations for royalties

Arista Records cited a New York statute of limitations that would negate the Rollers' claims for royalties incurred before 2001.

2003: McGlynn accused Paton of attempted rape

In 2003, McGlynn accused former manager Tam Paton of trying to rape him in a hotel room in 1977. However, the police decided there was insufficient evidence to prosecute Paton.

March 2007: Former members announced lawsuit against Arista Records

In March 2007, six former members of the Bay City Rollers announced a lawsuit against Arista Records, seeking "tens of millions of dollars" in unpaid royalties.

2009: McKeown accused Paton of rape

In 2009, McKeown accused former manager Tam Paton of raping him. This further contributed to the allegations of sexual abuse against Paton.

September 2010: Complaint filed against other Bay City Rollers members

In September 2010, Clark, Mitchell, and McGlynn filed a complaint in the courts in the United States against the other six members (Faure plus the "classic line-up") over being excluded from the case against Arista records.

March 2011: Bay City Rollers lawsuit against Arista Records could move forward

In March 2011, a New York judge determined that the Bay City Rollers could proceed with their lawsuit against Arista Records, which had been ongoing for four years.

2013: United States Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Clark, Mitchell and McGlynn

In 2013, a judge in the United States Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Clark, Mitchell and McGlynn, who had filed a complaint against the other band members in September 2010.

February 2015: Eric Faulkner's health concerns

In February 2015, Eric Faulkner almost died after contracting viral encephalitis, preventing him from contributing to the announced Bay City Rollers reunion later that year.

September 2015: Bay City Rollers announced reunion

On September 22, 2015, the Bay City Rollers, including McKeown, Wood, and Alan Longmuir, announced their reformation and a show at the Glasgow Barrowlands on December 20. Faulkner was unable to participate due to health concerns.

July 2016: Wood ended the reunited line-up

On July 9, 2016, Wood ended the recently reunited Bay City Rollers lineup due to a lack of booked shows for the reunion.

2016: Out-of-court settlement with Sony Music

In 2016, after almost a decade, the Bay City Rollers' legal battle with Arista Records concluded with an out-of-court settlement. Sony Music, Arista Records' parent company, reportedly paid $3.5 million, with each band member receiving £70,000.

2017: Plans for album and tours not materialised

Plans for a new album and various tours for the Bay City Rollers that were hoped to take place in 2017 never materialised.

February 2018: Announcement of "new generation" Bay City Rollers

On February 27, 2018, Stuart 'Woody' Wood announced that a "new generation" Bay City Rollers would be performing in Tokyo, Japan, in June of the same year.

July 2018: Death of Alan Longmuir

Alan Longmuir, bassist for the Bay City Rollers, died on July 2, 2018, after falling ill while on holiday with his wife in Mexico.

November 2018: Publication of Alan Longmuir's autobiography

Alan Longmuir's autobiography, I Ran with the Gang: My Life in and Out of The Bay City Rollers, co-written with Martin Knight, was published posthumously in November 2018.

I Ran With The Gang: My Life In And Out Of The Bay City Rollers

Check it on Amazon

2019: McKeown and Wood deny another reunion

In 2019, despite rumors related to Alan Longmuir's wishes, both McKeown and Wood denied any chance of another Bay City Rollers reunion and expressed their reluctance to work together.

August 2020: McKeown expressed willingness to reunite with Wood

In August 2020, after the coronavirus pandemic sidelined both McKeown's and Wood's bands, McKeown stated that he would be willing to reunite with Wood again with more planning.

September 2020: Death of Ian Mitchell

On September 1, 2020, Ian Mitchell, a former member of the Bay City Rollers, died at the age of 62 after suffering from throat cancer.

April 2021: Death of Les McKeown

On April 20, 2021, Les McKeown, the lead singer of the Bay City Rollers, died at the age of 65.

December 2023: Planned Concerts and Appearances

In December 2023, a total of 11 concerts and appearances at festivals were planned again with the Bay City Rollers lineup of Ian Thomson, Stuart 'Woody' Wood, Mikey Smith and Jamie McGrory.

2023: Secrets of the Bay City Rollers documentary

In 2023, the documentary Secrets of the Bay City Rollers was released, featuring Gert Magnus's claim that Tam Paton offered him a place in the band in exchange for sex.

September 2024: Bay City Rollers tour van stolen

On September 13, 2024, the Bay City Rollers' tour van, containing all of their instruments and equipment, was stolen while the band was touring in Walsall. Woody Wood's tartan-painted guitar was not stolen, as he traveled separately.