LES McKEOWN - Bay City Rollers - The 'Gold' Collection

Selling well over 100 million records worldwide during their golden years (1974-1978), the magnitude of the Tartan-clad phenomenon of Rollermania had not been seen since The Beatles and would not be seen again until the rise of Millennial boybands, such as One Direction.
Despite the passing of years, their staunchly loyal fanbase continues to keep the memory of the band, and most importantly their music alive. The good news is that Crimson Productions are releasing a definitive and comprehensive collection of the band's music as part of the popular, budget-priced 'Gold' CD series, on 25th October 2019. www.demonmusic...
Comprising 50 tracks, spread across three CDs, the collection features all of the band's charting singles (including B-sides) as well as fan-selected deep-cuts from their six original studio albums from 1974's 'Rollin' to 1978's 'Strangers in the Wind'.
The band's lead-singer and frontman during those golden years, Les McKeown spoke to Andy Rawll about his rollercoaster-ride music career from his early days as a rock n roll runaway to achieving top of the pops stardom, before his eventual departure and fall and rise as a solo artist. Watch the video to hear tales of long-hair, Saxons, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Bowie, missing millions, lost songs, ebooks, errant accordionists, told with a wonderful sense of positivity, humility and forgiveness.
Following a number of turbulent years, that included battles with addiction, family trauma and bereavement (including the death of friend and BCR founder member Alan Longmuir in 2018), Les is back on top form and relishing his renewed passion for live performance, with a fifty date tour, alongside his longstanding band, starting soon. lesmckeown.com....
He also reveals that he's recently updated his autobiography, which had been out of print and is now available as an eBook for Kindle etc. www.amazon.co.....
There's also the first volume of 'Lost Songs' that has now been released, that mines the extensive archive of previously unused material that he composed during and after his time with the band: / the-lost-songs
Simply put, the ‘Gold’, the only Bay City Rollers compilation you’ll ever need, including 50 tracks across 3CDs, covering the band’s most successful line up of Les, Eric, Woody, Alan and Derek and features all 12 of their UK chart hit singles
CD1 includes the Top 10 “Remember”, “Shang-a-Lang”, plus top 5 smashes “Summerlove Sensation” and “All Of Me Loves All Of You” and the American chart topper “Saturday Night”
CD2 includes UK No.1 “Bye Baby”, fellow chart topper “Give A Little Love” plus the Top 10 “Money Honey” and “Love Me Like I Love You”
CD3 features No.4 smash “I Only Wanna Be With You” alongside Top 30 “It’s A Game” and “You Made Me Believe In Magic”
www.baycityrollers.com
lesmckeown.com
@LesMcKeownOfficial
@LesMcKeownUK
Album Info: www.demonmusic...
Lost Songs: / the-lost-songs
eBook: www.amazon.co....

[@drewmonroe3747]

A big part of my youth died today :( R.I.P. Les McKeown

[@黒田美和-u9q]

I'm still in shock. Very sad. RIP… Leslie

[@juliette2439]

Same 😢

[@cartoonist8643]

MISS YOU...LES...🌼

[@oscargordon5851]

A trick : watch movies at Flixzone. I've been using it for watching loads of movies these days.

[@gordoncullen7176]

@Oscar Gordon definitely, I have been using flixzone} for years myself :D

[@karendadd483]

Rest in peace Les..you were a great singer and a nice person

[@cartoonist8643]

YES...R.I.P. LES.🌼

[@philipross4728]

RIP LES♥️🙏🕯I think everyone in Scotland loved you! You were a great ambassador for Scotland you and the rest of the Bay City Rollers members, I will never forget you guys after watching you play live practicing in Tranent secondary school back in early 1970s, you treated all us youngsters to a free concert! Thank you Les, God has you singing for him in heaven now! I went straight online and bought your THE GOLD COLLECTION CD after watching this! RIP mate you were a lovely guy and I hope you are back with your mum and dad now as I know you missed them dearly in life, love from Edinburgh!

[@Lyndylou16]

Can't believe a few months after this Les died. I'm heartbroken and still can't believe he's gone and I'll never see him again 💔 RIP Les, you'll be the most gorgeous voice up there singing with the other angels ♥️

[@Lyndylou16]

Thank you for the fantastic shows, the laughs, fun and chats we shared, and your wonderful music. I'll miss you so very much XX

[@patriciacook8761]

Can't believe you have gone my lovle les so looking forward to seeing you in August this year xxxx

[@patriciacook8761]

Join our les group was mckeown Rip is les mckeown rip

[@patriciacook8761]

Enjoying his gin n tonic again

[@onesunnyday5699]

Ian was gone 5 months later, Alan had passed not too long before this.

[@pamelafideli9106]

R.i.p les.you brought joy to millions of people in the world 💖💖💖

[@flockeohneschnee4629]

I´m so happy that I`ve bought the Album "Gold" last year, in these days I hear the good old songs and remember the time long ago.... Rest in peace Les, Ian and Alan... you all will be in my heart 4ever

[@santasangre2449]

R.I.P. Les.... thank you for the music

[@maryjones8063]

RIP Leslie Thank you for the Memories and my youth, I cried when I heard you had passed. Bay city Rollers Fan.

[@ladylaois8184]

Huge part of my teenage years. Absolutely set a real fashion and utterly brilliant. I was sad to hear Les had some demons probably why he’s so real and a lovely man. People that have struggled like this seem to be just real nice people. Gutted he’s gone. No real age. Sorry to his family.

[@juliette2439]

Those were the days 😍😎

[@elainewright8390]

rock heaven Les, you were my youth, and loved you all, BYE BYE BABY xxxxx R.i.p.

[@trevorthompson7604]

Never lost his sense of humour still fantastic still puts on a great show great memories best of luck les

[@PERFECTGINGERBASTARD]

RIP les, a proper legend.

[@naturalmax8474]

RIP Les....we're still listening

[@enu4566]

Ｍy tears haven't dried yet but thank you for so many beautiful songs and memories.

[@jeanettegee6754]

RIP Les, ur music, ur songs, ur memories will ALWAYS be with us..... 🙏🏻😢💋

[@debzvant898]

R.I.P Les you where and still are my Idol, so glad I went to all your concerts in Australia.... and again in 2019 when you returned ..I met you then will be missed but never forgotten XOXOXO....prayers for your family

[@steveoshow4832]

RIP Les. You and your former band of brothers gave a shot of sunshine into the world of 70s Pop. The endearing legacy of this interview is that Les was a die hard fan of rock & pop before evolving into a singer himself, two days queuing to see Led Zepplin is testament to that. The irony of sneaking into concerts through gents toilets windows when only a few years later as the BCR they were probably escaping the fans by the same means! Great that in the later years he enjoyed his tours and at last reaped the royalties that had eluded them all for so long😎👌

[@steveoshow4832]

@@ianhardwick5484 thanks for that snippet. How Les and the rest of the band coped with that frenzied attention is anyone’s guess, no one is ever ready for that even though in many cases it’s what they’ve been striving for but then success is not the same as intense and chaotic pop celebrity is it? Recall Suzi Quattro who I interviewed back in 2015 (on my website) off air saying you need to be very strong mentally and physically especially then, otherwise it can swallow you up and it really boils down to the support network of management which obviously they sadly lacked in looking after them instead of just of them giving their nervous systems with little in return at the time.

[@juliemelton9907]

Rest in peace Les, you were the only one for me back then in the seventies , thankyou for the memories xxx

[@colinfisher4793]

Big part of my teens, loved the group loved the times. Rest easy.

[@markwells2129]

R.I.P Les great singer and down to earth guy

[@janstribling4174]

I’m crushed. Rest In Peace, Les.

[@purplepoppyz]

My teenage heart loved the Rollers and particularly Les. So sad to hear you have passed on but your music and the joy you brought lives on in the hearts of your fans. Just ordered your gold CD. Listening to it will lift the gloom I have felt since hearing of your death, just as BCR music lifted the gloom from my teenage years. RIP lovely Les. Hope your spirit is up there with Alan and Ian playing the songs cos music like yours never dies ❤️

[@cynthiagarza4707]

RIP Les McKeown. Happy memories

[@711honved]

I saw Les a few years ago. He was funny, self deprecating & could still belt out the old standards. Much missed.

[@heikebohne8864]

That is fine for You, many greetings from 🇩🇪😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

[@patriciacook8761]

Love my dreams gone he looked so well last year

[@mariagoldman8048]

Rest in peace les my teenage heart wont let the music die thankyou for the memories

[@susangoodall6974]

I will never stop crying over you Lesley By by baby

[@BeatlesGirlKaren]

RIP Les - you were the best!

[@irissmusic3]

Hi Karen it’s so sad about Leslie! I was a kid yet but my friends and sister took me to see him and the BCR’s at the NYC Palladium in the 1970’s. I was hooked and wanted to play guitar at 10 years old. He was my first boy crush. I’m on here watching his videos. Hope you’re doing alright! Take care my friend. See you soon ☺️🙏

[@willyboy6126]

Rest in peace dear Les...and keep on rockin' in Heaven

[@easystar123]

Rest in Peace Les McKewan. Thank you for the memories. You were great and had a fun sense of humour. Talented right up to the end.

[@Celticcross688]

Rip Les McKeown Blessings XX

[@strawberrycornetto]

RIP Les. You will live on in the music.

[@fionamckinnon]

My heart is broken 😞. My childhood is shattered. Rest In Peace Les

[@rebeccajones4stories]

Rest easy, Les. I’m shaken... he was the same age as my husband

[@sonyaramage1963]

R.I.P A True Scottish Icon

[@karenimran3349]

The good old days Bay city rollers. Takes me back to my teenage years,. I saw Les and his band in my home town a few years ago.

[@davidhinton7663]

RIP. LES. I WAS A YOUNG FELLOW IN THE UK AND LOVED YOU GUYS. We all liked the girls dint we

[@BunyanaRed1958]

RIP Les. Anyone who camped out for two days to get tickets for Led Zep is more than alright with me.

[@lauriemccullam6327]

I camped out to get BCR tickets lol

[@BunyanaRed1958]

@@lauriemccullam6327 :)

[@iangeorgehardwick6882]

I was His Long Haired Mate that was with Him.

[@vincentcollins4444]

Thanks for the memories les👍

[@micchaelfearn5163]

The 70s was a great time Les was a big part of the fun most people had R.i.p les and thanks mate. 😉

[@moonstarfireshine]

RIP Les, Thankyou for the music ❤️🌹

[@angelaohara4344]

Love you Les, so sorry you are gone...we miss you, and your beautiful voice and music brings me so much happiness. I have such fun memories of listening to you, dressing up in tartan, dancing to “I Only Wanna Be With You”, playing that over and over. I saw you in concert in 1977 in Santa Monica, California and the girls screamed so loud I couldn’t hear the music!! Amazing experience!! I drew pictures of you guys, wrote a story, and bought all the 16 magazines!! I even dressed up in my I Love Les tartan outfits and went “roller skating “at Skateway, and Disneyland!!❤️❤️❤️

[@dawnmason9558]

RIP Les May you forever sing your songs. My youth memories are fantastic because of you & the Rollers

[@lindabrown7903]

RIP Les a great entertainer and a lovely guy he will be much missed ♥

[@lynncuthbert2307]

Thank you for the music Les. RIP... Legend. 🙏❤️

[@lorigibbs2379]

He was precious! RIP dude!~ miss you love you

[@shirleygray4569]

Great memories of the Rollers Les was my favourite God Bless Him 💕

[@susanslater316]

Awh sad !!!! Les mckeowan interviewed a yr ago talkin about touring in America with is group in a America !!!! Then died Tuesday by having a heart attack. It just proves nobody knows what is around the corner here today gone tomorrow !!!! I was a true bay city roller fan when I was a teenger. Had there records. Wud have loved to have seen them live in concert. I used to go to the cats whiskers on a Thursday nite and dance to their songs and all the other songs around at the time. It was just for 11 to 13yrs !!!! I had a tartan hat , tartan scarf, tartan white shirt with tartan down the side of the arms and a pair of white trousers with tartan down the sides . It felt great to dance to bye bye baby and Shang a Lang etc etc what a very enjoyable time !!!! Had sooo much fun !!!!! Great memories !!!! R I P LES thank for all the happiness u and the bay city rollers gave me and the rest of ur fans all over the world over many yrs . Lots of love always !!!!! Ox0x0x0x0

[@traceymote1079]

RIP my darling wonderful Les gone but will never be forgotten

[@shanellekay8263]

I would just like to say your amazing les good for you ive just reading about your life love to you and your family respect

[@lauraroberts9066]

Going into freshman year my best friend loved BCR!!I loved Derek and she loved Les!!I STILL have all their albums!!!RIP Lisa and now Les!!!💚

[@Taiyou536]

when I was a BCR fan I did not understand their songs - and now I enjoy his Scottish accent ♥ -- Leslie , so missed ....

[@heekyungkim8147]

Rest In Peace Leslie.

[@jakrobbo7]

RIP Les ..The best of the BCR bunch

[@MsLoverockmusic]

Great interview! Saw the BCRs in Chicago in 1976 at their peak! A piece of history from my teen years! Les and the remaining members deserve what they are entitled to from those days and hope they have settled those differences. Hope he comes back to the States when times are safer to travel and tour!

[@louisethompson2044]

Aw,poor les him and his band made the 70s here on Belfast bearable.saw,them in the ABC anazing.RIP lovely les xxxx 😪😪😘💔

[@marinakarlsson9146]

You will never be forgotten, Leslie. Forever an' a day

[@VICSTERable]

We love you Les 💗 You will be so missed. Thank you for the great shows and happy memories xx

[@kimhopkins5435]

Rest in Peace Les ❤️loved the Bay City Rollers

[@traceyhellsten649]

I love you forever Les!!!!!!!

[@rivermoon6190]

You should gave said “I will love you for ever and everrrr”!

[@david-lt9wj]

Brilliant interview...good result having left school at 15..god bless Les.

[@nickywilks7928]

Lovely Les.

[@cutekitten1955]

Rest In Peace Les. We won't let the music die.

[@yvonnescholey8972]

I loved the rollers back in the day they were great they were naive and exploited by their so called manager it’s not surprising that some of them had issues. Thank you to the rollers for the wonderful memories they gave me (including Eric Faulkner, my first crush) and I wish them all the best🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@rebeccalong5808]

Love you Les Keep on Rolling

[@jamesgfraser439]

I remember taking my daughter in 1976 to Nathan Philips Square in Toronto to see them. Appearance lasted two mins, too many people, became too dangerous but she still talks about seeing her "Woody".

[@SharonSmith-hv5hp]

My mom took me too 😃 I'm almost 60 now. Their music always made me happy.

[@Marlondurran]

Top lad Les.. sadly missed.

[@anitahamlin2411]

So glad I got to meet him and give him a hug and a kiss! I hope he is at peace and his family is well despite the heartbreak!

[@carolynrebeccadick3907]

Rest In Peace Les Mckeown , I miss you but your music always with me forever. Don’t let music died! Forever our heart xxx Carolyn from Dunedin New Zealand

[@kevinsimpson3374]

Rest In Peace Les!

[@paulineoneill9554]

I was a young married mum, when the BCR first appeared,no way did it stop me having a massive crush on Les.He was the BEST,God bless you Les,R. I. P. 😭

[@susangoodall6974]

I v allways loved Lesley Since I was ten years old He will always be here

[@terrifromm5085]

Lost another great one. So sad. Loved BCR.

[@raven_ous2585]

It's so sad what happened to them 😥

[@trevorthompson7604]

So happy the royalties were sorted out for you all it's only what you all deserve

[@jamiegent5621]

Hes spent the lot

[@cynthiaennis3107]

Trevor Thompson I didn’t know it was finally all figured out! Great news!

[@trevorthompson7604]

@@cynthiaennis3107 hi Cynthia a payment was made but it was miniscule in comparison to what they were due

[@pennyduncan6861]

They only got 70k each. It should have been millions. I am glad to hear they are receiving royalties now. I was ready to start up retirement funds for each of them and get fans to fund it. I just bought the 5 cd set of all the UK albums through It's a Game. It is the BEST. Les is shameless about self-promotion, but it's just who he is. I might but a digital version of Gold so they can earn some money.

[@kazfleszar5899]

thats made my day knowing they are getting some of there money back afterall this time,

[@susanleighton6715]

RIP Les...you are a legend.

[@lornadouglas7887]

What a great interview and I'm so pleased they got things sorted out with the record company should have got it years ago when they where all struggling a few wee holidays relaxing is what he needed God bless him he was very hard working and I loved him for that he knew he had a large fan base and was truly grateful to his fans and we where truly glad of him and his lovely family for sharing him all these years R.I.P

[@susangoodall6974]

Lesley you do have lovely voice Love you for Ever All my l love Susan goodall xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx

[@cinnasharon980]

We will miss him. Huge part of my teenage years!

[@rachelled6763]

I just bought the Gold CD. Ahhh...such joy to hear. Thank you Les for being my childhood idol and dream boy!. With love from Australia ❤❤⭐⭐

[@beverleydeering9394]

Les I will miss you so much.. Love to Peko & Jubei, your hearts must be 💔

[@teejayhaych149]

RIP dear les, hope you are at peace now. Thankyou for the soundtrack to the best time of my life. You and all the boys are still much loved. 💘💕

[@rinawaller1830]

I couldn’t see them when they came to Hong Kong, loved them. Hopefully in Australia one day? Never too late 44 yrs later!!

[@Harry-kw1fy]

God Bless Les..

[@MissGoodintentions]

what a wonderful singing voice you have , I am happy you are continuing the music xx

[@spookedhorse]

Rest in peace. I was in awe of this guy, as a kid. Saw BCR on the Midnight Special, and everything in my life changed.

[@lindawatkins2605]

So happy that you have continued keeping BCR going Leslie. You all (classic 5) were such a great part of my teenage years and into my adult life. I look forward to getting the CD -BCR Gold. Would love to see and hear all the original classic 5 (4 now Leslie, Dereck, Eric and Woody) get together and play again in 2020

[@marshaatchison5553]

Les and Woody will never tour together again. They hate each other, even Alan couldn't save them. It is so sad.

[@heiditate6989]

@@marshaatchison5553 I don't think that Eric would join either. Les has said some nasty stuff about Eric over the years (in his book too). Also, Derek is retired.

[@jandlesmith]

Yes. they should come together one last time.

[@jandlesmith]

@@heiditate6989 What book is that? Terrible to talk about each other like that.

[@heiditate6989]

@@jandlesmith I don't recall the name. It's available on Amazon. He has said some nasty things to Woody also. My favorite guys were always (and still are) Woody and Eric. They are real sweet guys.

[@martinsimpson5883]

Such a nice bloke So sad to leave so Early 💔✨

[@susangoodall6974]

We will allways remember Lesley your my dream Come true love you so much babes

[@susanmaycock9327]

Rest in peace Les the fans will miss you god bless

[@ginnychristensen168]

I'm in the USA and I will always love u.......R.I.P

[@garyeaton6172]

Been a fan since day one managed to get a little chat with Les on Periscope what a loss

[@kimamulvey8798]

Thank u Lynn C this IS a place 4 positive comments and shame on anyone who posts negative .

[@BondageBreakersIntl]

Rest in Peace Les have always loved you in your music will live on in my heart forever

[@elizabethspedding1975]

Les you will sing in my heart. I love you angel, rest in peace.💞

[@davieleerio]

Rest in eternal peace dear les one of my city of Edinburgh finest gents love you les 😞❤🙏😞❤🙏

[@julielawrence1862]

Best time being a child les was my favourite roller different world then X

[@sarahgribble6437]

Loved Leslie with my young heart , onlly recently saw a picture of him as a 60 years plus, still had that cheeky face made me smile like i haven't for a long time. God bless hope u r singing in heaven.

[@rydokray3094]

RIP LES PAL U WERE THE STAR OFF THE SHOW

[@karenalsbury827]

I love this man. Thank you Les for everything.

[@LA-gh3mi]

Rest in Power 🙏