Bay City Rollers band member Les McKeown has sadly passed away, his former manager John MacLaughlan has confirmed.
The frontman died suddenly on Tuesday at the age of 65, leaving family and friends of the band devastated.
His ex-manager John, who dealt with his comeback shows in 2015, broke the tragic news after being called by Les’s wife Peko.
He said: “I’m very sad and shocked and so is Peko, his wife. 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.
(Image: Runcorn Weekly News)
“He was hoping to get it all going again and he was one of the hardest working men in the music industry.
John added: “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.”
Les’ heartbroken family have released a statement following his shock death.
A statement shared on Les’ Twitter account alongside a selfie of him read: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of our beloved husband and father Leslie Richard McKeown.
“Leslie died suddenly at home on Tuesday 20 April 2021. We are currently making arragements for his funeral and ask from privacy afrer the shock of our profound loss. Thank you. Keiko and Jubei McKeown.”
Les’ former band mate Stuart ‘Woody’ Wood has said that he is “upset and shocked to hear” the sad news.
(Image: Getty Images)
“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 said.
“He was a great performance on stage and he was full of energy. Iwas 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 fifteen and he was seventeen. I joined properly when I turned sixteen in 74. He had lots of energy on stage.”
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Bay City Rollers fans have taken to social media to pay their own tributes to the late star.
Taking to Twitter, one fan penned: “Oh no Les McKeown of the #baycityrollers has passed away. Heartbroken. My childhood crush.”
Another added: “Sad to hear of Les McKeown’s (Bay City Rollers singer) sudden passing.”
A third person posted: “Another part of my childhood gone! Rest In Peace #LesMcKeown #BayCityRollers.”
(Image: Getty Images)
While a fourth said: “Oh no Les McKeown has died I was a huge Bay City Rollers fan.”
“How very sad. I loved the Bay City Rollers. Had all the gear short trousers, tartan down the sides, tartan scarves, posters on my bedroom wall. RIP Les McKeown,” a fifth socia media user wrote.
Les’ death comes just seven months after The Bay City Rollers announced the passing of ex-member Ian Mitchell.
Mitchell sadly passed away in September 2020 at the age of 62.
“Rest In Peace, Ian,” the Scottish pop band wrote as they announced his death on their Instagram page.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
