Bay City Rollers: Royalties Battle That Shattered Brotherhood Behind the Scenes
They were once the sound of youth and unity in the 1970s, but behind the smiling photos and catchy choruses, the Bay City Rollers were locked in a bitter legal war—all over missing royalties.
💥 Where It All Began
After disbanding in the early 1980s, members of the band assumed they would continue receiving royalties from their global hits. But decades passed with no payments, and millions of pounds seemingly vanished.
In 2007, six former Rollers – including Les McKeown, Alan Longmuir, Eric Faulkner, and Stuart “Woody” Wood – filed a lawsuit against Arista Records, claiming they hadn’t received any royalties since 1980. Meanwhile, the music continued to earn profits for the label.
⚖️ Legal Drama and Internal Conflict
Though they started united, tensions quickly rose. Disagreements about who deserved what amount led to deep divisions. Some accused others of “riding the coattails” of past success or claiming more than their fair share.
Les McKeown, who passed away in 2021, publicly criticized other members for “doing nothing but wanting a cut.” At one point, members reportedly stopped speaking for years.
💸 Settlement, But No Closure
In 2016, nearly a decade after the lawsuit began, Arista Records agreed to settle for an undisclosed sum. Still, many felt shortchanged. The payout seemed tiny compared to the millions the music had generated globally.
🎤 Behind the Fame
The legal dispute shattered the carefully curated image of fun-loving harmony. Once brothers in music, the Bay City Rollers became legal opponents, leaving behind a legacy as fractured as it was iconic.