Bay City Rollers eye Glastonbury and T in the Park

Alan Longmuir checks out the Usher Hall. Picture: Ian Georgeson

The man behind the revival of the 1970s boy band has revealed they have also had offers to tour America, Canada and Australia since their surprise comeback was announced in September.

John McLaughlin said an extensive tour of Scotland and the rest of the UK was already being planned for 2016 following the sell-out success of an initial run of shows in Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Manchester.

Mr McLaughlin, one of Scotland’s leading producers and songwriters, was approached by frontman Les McKeown after he gave an interview saying he would love to try to get the Rollers back together.

McKeown’s former band-mates Alan Longmuir and Stuart “Woody” Wood have been persuaded to return to the fold, while there are hopes that Eric Faulkner, another member of the “classic Rollers” line-up, will also join them for the forthcoming live shows, which get under way at Glasgow’s Barrowlands on December 20.

The new-look Rollers gave a taste of what fans can expect when they return to the live stage next month after they stormed through classic hits such as Shang-a-Lang, Bye Bye Baby, Saturday Night and Summerlove Sensation at the Scottish Music Awards in Glasgow at the weekend.

Speaking to the News at the event, Mr McLaughlin said he was convinced the Rollers were back for good and that they were set to take to the road throughout 2016.

Mr McLaughlin, who has worked with acts as varied as Westlife, Lulu and Echo & The Bunnymen, said: “We’re looking at a much bigger tour next year, across Scotland, the rest of the UK and around the world.

“We decided to give it a wee go with the Barrowlands shows. I’ve been a Bay City Rollers fan since I was seven years old and figured that the demand was going to be great. But everybody else was like ‘We don’t really know’.

“The first Barrowlands show sold out within just a few minutes and we had another three lined up just in case and they went as well. The two Edinburgh shows sold out as well.

“The level of interest has just been incredible.

“I’ve now had offers from all around the world – including America, Canada and Australia – and a world tour is definitely realistic.

“People can now see that the guys are back together again. There has been lots and lots of talk about the Rollers but people can see it and believe it now they are performing again. We’re already speaking to a few festivals at the moment. There is a heritage slot at Glastonbury.

“The Bay City Rollers were the biggest band in the world, they outsold Abba, and their songs are amazing. I love T in the Park, I have a soft spot for it and I love all the guys who do the festival. I want them to do both. I’d love to see the Rollers at T in the Park. Everyone knows the songs.”

Guitarist Wood said: “If things go the way we are hoping they are going to go there is no reason at all why things like that can’t happen. We’d certainly be up for it – if we are still alive and there have been no fights, or anything like that!”

[email protected]