Alan Longmuir: The Quiet Brother Who Built Bay City Rollers, and the Untold Stories That Emerged After His Death
On July 2, 2018, the music world was shaken by the passing of Alan Longmuir, co-founder of the iconic 1970s boy band Bay City Rollers. He died at age 70 in an Edinburgh hospital after returning from Spain, where he had been hospitalized due to a sudden sepsis infection.
Though never the frontman or media darling, Alan was the backbone of Bay City Rollers — a group often dubbed “the teenage Beatles” of the 1970s. To many insiders, he was the soul of the band, and his quiet strength held the group together during its formative years.
The Birth of a Pop Sensation
Born in Edinburgh in 1948, Alan was originally trained as a plumber. He and his younger brother, Derek Longmuir, formed the first version of the group that would become Bay City Rollers. The name itself was chosen by chance: Alan reportedly threw a dart at a U.S. map, which landed on Bay City, Michigan.
Alan played bass guitar and was part of the original lineup that helped skyrocket the band to fame with hits like Bye Bye Baby and Shang-A-Lang. But by 1976 — at the peak of their fame — he made the surprising decision to leave the band, citing overwhelming pressure and personal differences.
Life Beyond the Stage
Unlike many rockstars, Alan didn’t chase fame forever. He returned to a modest life as a carpenter, far from the lights of stardom. Still, he stayed close to the group, reuniting for occasional performances and tribute shows.
In an interview before his passing, he stated:
“I have no regrets. Music was part of me, but family was always more important.”
After his death, his wife Eileen revealed personal notes and reflections Alan had kept — stories about backstage conflicts, the loneliness of fading fame, and the sadness of seeing the band fracture repeatedly over the decades.
A Legacy Etched in Quiet Strength
Alan Longmuir may not have been the flashiest, but he was the root from which Bay City Rollers grew. His death marked the end of an era and reminded fans around the world that behind every global success story, there’s often a humble architect who never seeks the spotlight… yet deserves it the most.