Bay City Rollers bassist Alan Longmuir dies

Bay City Rollers founder Alan Longmuir has died at the age of 70.
The Scottish bass guitarist, who formed the group with his younger brother Derek Longmuir and their schoolfriend, lead singer Gordon Clark, passed away on Monday (2Jul18), his family announced in a statement.
Liam Rudden, a playwright who penned a stage musical celebrating Alan’s career, posted their statement on Twitter.
“We are devastated to share the news that Alan has passed away peacefully surrounded by family,” the family’s announcement reads. “He was an extraordinary man with an extraordinary heart. He brought so much love and kindness to everyone he met, and leaves a huge hole in our family.”
Last month Alan was flown home from Mexico, where he was holidaying with his wife Eileen, after he contracted a serious illness.
“Unfortunately we need to inform all our friends that Alan has been taken seriously ill whilst holidaying in Mexico,” a statement posted on a Facebook fan page with the family’s permission read. “He has been admitted to hospital and is currently receiving Specialist Care for a virus that is attacking his vital organs.”
He formed part of what is commonly regarded as the band’s ‘classic five’ line-up – featuring Alan, Derek, Stuart Wood, Eric Faulkner and vocalist Les McKeown.
The rocker left the band in 1976, at the height of their fame, but returned to the group two years later. The band stopped touring in 1981 – although there were several attempts to resurrect the Rollers with different line-ups.
He joined Les and Stuart for a reunion in 2015 with gigs quickly selling out. Both men paid tribute to their fallen colleague on Twitter, with Stuart writing: “Very sad to read in the paper that Alan has passed away…I’ll remember the good times we had for over 40 years…RIP Al”.
Alan is survived by Eileen and his adult son Jordon James.