Sir Rod Stewart asked two members of the Bay City Rollers to sing a tribute to his Scots father – because he didn’t think he’d manage to do it himself.
The rocker played two gigs at Edinburgh Castle last week. And during the sets, Stuart “Woody” Wood and new Roller and Rod pal John McLaughlin came on to sing Sunshine on Leith in honour of the superstar’s father Robert, who died in 1990.
Rod, 78, said: “My dad and Woody’s dad were both from Leith. We have a big Edinburgh connection. I love the Proclaimers’ Sunshine on Leith. It’s very poignant to me.
“I wanted to sing it but I didn’t think I’d be able to sing all the way through.
“I’m good friends with John, who has supported me often with his band Johnny Mac & The Faithful. Now he’s with the Rollers. I thought it would be great to get Woody on stage as well.
“I was a huge fan of the Rollers. I loved their image. We both loved a spot of tartan in the 70s.”
Like many, Rod was horrified at what the band – who also included Les McKeown, Eric Faulkner and brothers Alan and Derek Longmuir – endured as he watched last month’s Nicky Campbell documentary, Secrets of the Bay City Rollers, on ITV.
Rod said: “I watched the documentary and got very emotional. It was hard to see what they all went through.
“It was awful for good working-class guys to be treated so badly.”
The Rollers were huge in the 70s, with the term Rollermania coined to describe the chaotic scenes they created. As well as two number one albums, they scored a string of hits including Shang-a-Lang, Bye Bye Baby and American No1 Saturday Night.
But by the early 80s it was over, with members fronting different line-ups and the band hitting the headlines more for missing out on the fortune due to them for selling over 120 million records.
In 2015, fans were thrilled when Les, Alan and Woody reformed for a string of shows. Bassist Alan died in 2018 and Les died in 2021.
Since 2018, Woody has fronted a new generation Rollers with Ian Thomson on vocals, Mikey Smith on bass, Jamie McGrory on drums and now John on keyboards and vocals.
Woody, who joined the Rollers aged 15 in 1974, was thrilled to be asked on stage by Rod for his Edinburgh Castle gigs.
He said: “Rod was so moved. I was very proud to have been asked as I’m a big Rod fan – even before I was in the Rollers. So to get on stage with one of my heroes is a dream come true.
“Rod has been so unbelievably nice and great to me personally and I’m very grateful for what he’s doing for the Rollers now. I can’t thank him enough.”
There is increased interest in the band since the documentary and a new level of coolness after their song Shang-a-Lang was used in the Disney+ Sex Pistols series, Pistol.
Next year marks the 50th anniversary of when Woody joined the band and the classic line-up was created.
Woody said: “I’m so excited the Rollers are back to a five-piece. After the passing of Les and Alan, it’s important we keep the music alive for the fans.
“No one can replace them but we are proud to continue the Rollers’ legacy.
“I look to Queen. While Adam Lambert could never replace Freddie Mercury, having him as a singer means they can continue to play those great songs live.
“And that’s what I want to do with the Rollers.
“We have some great songs and they are loved by fans who have been with us from the start and hopefully more fans will come and join the party.”
The band will play dates in the UK in September and are planning a Rollin’ into Christmas tour throughout December.
There are huge plans for the 50th anniversary next year, with talk of tours in America, Australia and Japan, as well as another extended one in the UK. They have also been writing a new album,
John is thrilled he’s now part of a band he has loved since he was eight.
A songwriter for the likes of Westlife, Busted and Blue, John has also written for Rod and has become a close pal over their mutual love of Celtic.
John’s band Johnny Mac & The Faithful are Rod’s go-to support act.
John said: “I’ve been a huge fan of the Rollers since I was eight, watching them on the telly. The fact they were Scottish just blew me away.
“They gave me the inspiration to believe I could get into the music industry and now I’ve completed the circle of fate officially joining the band.”
John first got involved with the Rollers back in 2015 when he masterminded their reunion comeback.
As well as managing them during that time he also played keyboards with them at their last reunion show in Newcastle and on the BBC Hogmanay show.
In March this year, he joined them on stage again when the current frontman, Ian, couldn’t go on an American cruise tour as his wife was having a baby. John said: “Singing the classic hits like Shang-a-lang, Bye Bye Baby and Saturday Night, was such a thrill and the crowds were so great and accepting of me.”
When they returned to Scotland Woody asked him to join the band full-time. John said: “I jumped at the chance.
“It was a dream come true. And it looks like I haven’t woken up yet.”
●For more info: www.thebaycityrollers.co.uk/
