Former Bay City Roller Breaks Silence: “I Never Saw a Penny for Our Biggest Hit”
More than four decades after Bay City Rollers ruled the charts, a stunning revelation has rocked longtime fans. In a recent interview, Pat McGlynn, who joined the band in 1976, claimed that he never received a single penny from their global smash hit, “Bye Bye Baby.”
McGlynn opened up about trusting the band’s management during his tenure but says that trust never translated into financial reward. Despite performing to sold-out crowds and contributing to the group’s massive success, he insists he was left empty-handed.
“We were promised everything. But all I ever got was applause – not a dime,” McGlynn said.
✦ A Pattern of Unpaid Royalties
McGlynn is not alone. Other former members of Bay City Rollers have spoken out in the past about the group’s mismanagement. The band was famously embroiled in a legal battle with Arista Records, seeking tens of millions in unpaid royalties.
Though some members reportedly settled in the early 2000s, McGlynn maintains he never saw any money for the very songs that made the band famous.
✦ Bittersweet Legacy
For fans who grew up idolizing Bay City Rollers, the news is hard to digest. Behind the cheerful tartan outfits and catchy choruses lies a story of betrayal, exploitation, and long-suppressed truth.
While the music still lives on, this revelation adds another layer to the complicated legacy of one of Britain’s most iconic pop bands.