Tributes paid to Bay City Rollers singer Les McKeown, who has died aged 65

Fans, friends and fellow musicians have been sharing their tributes to Bay City Rollers frontman Les McKeown, following news of his death, aged 65.

In a statement shared to his official Twitter account, his family revealed that he "died suddenly at home on Tuesday 20 April".

"It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of our beloved husband and father Leslie Richard McKeown," they wrote.

pic.twitter.com/YgZLzuGbM1

— Les McKeown (@LesMcKeownUK) April 22, 2021

McKeown, who was born to Irish parents in Edinburgh in 1955, was the lead singer of the Bay City Rollers during the height of the band's popularity. He left the group in 1978, but rejoined in recent years for a series of reunion gigs.

To pay tribute to McKeown, Tim Burgess has announced a Listening Party on April 25, featuring Bay City Rollers' debut studio album, 1974's Rollin'.

Sunday April 25th
7pm (U.K. time)

We’ll be remembering Les McKeown with a @LlSTENlNG_PARTY featuring Rollin’ by The Bay City Rollers

No guests / No tweets from us / Just the songs

Share memories at #TimsTwitterListeningParty on the day pic.twitter.com/Lnqky0Jt5l

— Tim's Listening Party (@LlSTENlNG_PARTY) April 22, 2021

See more tributes to Les McKeown below:

Les McKeown RIP

Photo: Fin Costello pic.twitter.com/4zoienUbnD

— Scottish Post-Punk 💙 (@ScotsPostPunk) April 22, 2021

Shocked & saddened to hear #LesMcKeown has died suddenly. Lead singer & legendary, cheeky heartthrob of #TheBayCityRollers, he captured young hearts like few others ever did & across the globe tonight thousands of middle-aged Mums will be shedding tears. pic.twitter.com/XW6ZDXJmfp

— Martin Knight (@MartinKnight_) April 22, 2021

Les McKeown, the former singer of the Bay City Rollers, has died at age 65. They released 13 albums and had 11 Top 10s, including one ABSOLUTELY MASSIVE US #1 in "Saturday Night".
The tartan teen sensation from Edinburgh won't be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/ekx9JB6jmz

— Eric Alper 🎧 (@ThatEricAlper) April 22, 2021

RIP Les McKeown x Spent many school discos dancing to Bay City Rollers .Condolences to his family,friends and fans .Thanks for the memories Les ! XJulie

— Gogglebox Malones (@TheMalonesGB) April 22, 2021

RIPLesMcKeown Bay City Rollers frontman he was part of the music scene when I was growing up & I remember tartan clad girls all screaming it was a hysteria era music wise with The Osmond's David Cassidy & Bay City Rollers seems like yesterday I was more into Reggae & soul music pic.twitter.com/Etw6IzzHMB

— Frank Bruno MBE 🇬🇧 (@frankbrunoboxer) April 22, 2021

We are saddened by the news of Leslie McKeown’s death. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Peko and his son Jubei, their family and friends. Rest In Peace, Leslie. pic.twitter.com/TkmBNgNMaP

— Bay City Rollers Official (@thebcrofficial) April 22, 2021

Gutted to hear about the passing of Les McKeown. Difficult to comprehend how an 18yr old could've coped with such a level of superstardom. Over 120 million record sales, topped the charts in nearly every record-selling country in the world. Not bad for a boy from Broomhouse #RIP pic.twitter.com/NDcNpodSUV

— YourWullie (@YourWullie) April 22, 2021

I remember line dancing in the school assembly hall to Bay City Roller hits, Les was my schoolgirl crush RIP Les McKeown . Bye Bye Baby❤️ https://t.co/Y8tG9pWtiL

— Kim Wilde (@kimwilde) April 22, 2021

Such sad news about Les McKeown. Hosted a gig and his band were booked to close the event. Soon as they went on stage, every single seat at every single table emptied and the dancefloor filled and stayed packed through their brilliant set.#BayCityRollers pic.twitter.com/5eD31zzDV5

— Grant Stott 🎙 (@GrantStottOnAir) April 22, 2021

I worked with Les McKeown on BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live. I was so impressed by his enthusiasm and positivity for his new project and his Bay City Rollers memories. So very sad to think he has passed over at just 65. My short broadcasting brush with him is one I still remember 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/WxAIMWFr8V

— Russell Grant (@THERussellGrant) April 22, 2021

Now this is a fecking tune. Don’t care what anybody says. Les you were a pop STAR. Rest in peace. #LesMcKeown https://t.co/f9wLzSic9m

— Nicky Campbell (@NickyAACampbell) April 22, 2021