Pop legends the Bay City Rollers are mired in a fresh dispute over claims of unpaid cash from their reunion tours.
Drummer Derek Longmuir claims he has not received some payments after the 1970s chart-toppers went back on the road. Allegations relate to tours in 2015 and 2016 which saw singer Les McKeown, bassist Alan Longmuir and guitarist Stuart “Woody” Wood, three of the “Classic Five” lineup, reform for a series of gigs.
The row unfolded on a number of Rollers’ Facebook fan group pages with Longmuir, 71, hitting out at the company organising the band’s affairs, Bay City Rollers Ltd (BCR Ltd). The dispute appears to date back to Alan Longmuir’s removal as a director from BCR Ltd. Alan, Derek’s older brother, died, aged 70, in 2018. Les, 65, died in 2021, the Daily Record reports.
READ MORE: Heartbroken family of Edinburgh dad pay tribute after tragic Strep A death
Derek Longmuir didn’t tour but claims he was due money from merchandising and other sources. The Rollers enjoyed massive success in their heyday selling 120 million records worldwide.
In 2007, six members sued Arista Records over “tens of millions of dollars” of unpaid royalties, eventually settling out-of-court for £70,000 each in 2016.
On Facebook, Edinburgh-born Longmuir said: “To date, none of us has received a penny from BCR Ltd including the £6000 proceeds from the reunion tour that was supposed to be paid to (guitarist) Eric [Faulkner] and myself by way of compensation. That was never paid. Where did that money go?”
Documents show Alan Longmuir was removed as a BCR director, with records revealing the company name was changed to “Awe Diddums LTD” from December 11 2017, to January 15 2018. Addressing that move, Longmuir said: “They received a letter from Alan’s lawyer laying out the law.”
That letter, which he made public, was sent by Kerr Stirling LLP to Stuart Wood, BCR’s remaining director, in February 2018. It said BCR “had no authority” to remove Longmuir as a director, or change the firm’s name.
Last night Wood told the Record: “The money in question was a goodwill gesture from myself as neither Derek nor Eric were part of the reunion shows through their choice. I personally arranged a small percentage to be paid into the company of which there are 5 equal shareholders (Alan, Derek, Eric, Les and myself).
“All of this is documented and above board. The removal of Alan was done due to a ‘conflict of interest’. There are no lies, just unfortunately a refusal on Derek and Eric’s part to meet and or talk with me so this matter can be very quickly cleared up.”
“This is a private matter between the shareholders and I hope to hear from Derek and or Eric to clear up any confusion.”
READ MORE:
Edinburgh sex offender requests transfer to women's prison before release
Edinburgh student tells of life on hit TV show Traitors after it took UK by storm
Edinburgh residents have their say as new 20mph speed limit zones divide opinion
The Edinburgh postcodes with the highest number of sex offenders living next door
Edinburgh hotel boss disappointed as guest finds staff 'can't be bothered'
