TRAGIC UPDATE: In 2007, Bay City Rollers Sued Arista Over Royalties — Eric Faulkner Breaks Down: “We Were Ruined… By the Company and Ourselves.”
In 2007, the glittering dreams of the Bay City Rollers — once dubbed the “biggest teen band in the world” — were dragged back into the spotlight, not by music, but by a painful court battle. The surviving members of the Scottish pop sensation filed a lawsuit against Arista Records, accusing the label of withholding tens of millions of dollars in unpaid royalties. What began as a legal fight for justice quickly turned into a heartbreaking reflection of mismanagement, exploitation, and self-destruction.
Formed in Edinburgh in the 1960s, the Bay City Rollers rose to global fame in the mid-1970s, launching what was dubbed “Rollermania.” With hits like “Saturday Night,” “Bye Bye Baby,” and “Shang-a-Lang,” they captured the hearts of millions of fans, especially teenage girls across the UK, US, and Japan. At their peak, they sold over 100 million records. Yet, by the 2000s, most members were living far from the glitz and wealth one might expect from such success.
The 2007 lawsuit revealed the harsh truth behind their legacy. The Rollers claimed that Arista Records — a subsidiary of Sony BMG — failed to pay them royalties dating back decades. According to their estimates, they were owed up to $100 million. Legal documents pointed to improper accounting, broken contracts, and decades of silence. But beyond the cold numbers was a deeper pain — a story of dreams that had soured long ago.
During the emotional proceedings, guitarist Eric Faulkner, once a face of youthful rebellion, offered a gut-wrenching admission to the press:
“We were ruined… not just by the company, but by ourselves too.”
Faulkner’s words spoke to the internal chaos that plagued the band: infighting, poor management decisions, rushed contracts signed in youth and ignorance, and years of personal struggles. Several members had battled alcoholism, mental health issues, and financial instability. Alan Longmuir, the original bassist, worked as a plumber after his pop star years. Others drifted in and out of obscurity.
The lawsuit dragged on for years. Though a confidential settlement was eventually reached, the result came far too late for some — Longmuir passed away in 2018. The band never saw a full reunion, and the damage — both financial and emotional — was irreversible.
Today, the Bay City Rollers are remembered with a mix of nostalgia and melancholy. Their tartan-trimmed outfits and catchy choruses remain icons of 70s pop culture, but behind the legacy is a cautionary tale: of how the music industry can chew up and discard young talent, and how even fame can’t shield artists from poor choices and exploitation.
As fans continue to celebrate their music, one can only hope the Rollers’ long fight serves as a wake-up call — a tragic lesson in ownership, dignity, and the true cost of stardom.