Bay City Rollers’ Million-Dollar Royalty Lawsuit: How the Band Lost It All Behind the Scenes
The Bay City Rollers — Scotland’s global pop sensation of the 1970s — rose to fame with screaming fans, chart-topping hits, and massive record sales. But behind the glittering spotlight was a deep financial betrayal that unfolded for decades: a legal war between the band’s surviving members and Arista Records over unpaid music royalties.
Despite their music continuing to sell and stream worldwide, the band members claimed they had received virtually nothing in royalties for decades. In 2007, Les McKeown, Eric Faulkner, and Stuart “Woody” Wood filed a lawsuit against Arista (a division of Sony BMG) alleging contract fraud and failure to pay rightful royalties.
According to their claims, the unpaid amount could total over $30 million USD.
“This isn’t about fame or ego — it’s about fairness. We made the music. Others took the money,” Les McKeown stated during a press conference.
The legal battle dragged on for years, filled with failed negotiations, intense legal fees, and relentless media attention. In 2016, the parties reached a confidential settlement, but the amount remains undisclosed. Many believe the band received only a fraction of what they were owed.
The case sparked industry-wide conversations about outdated record contracts and the exploitation of artists, especially during the pre-digital era. For many fans, it was a sobering revelation: the voices behind beloved songs often struggled the most in silence.