Scotland’s iconic boyband, the Bay City Rollers, will see their legacy celebrated in a new musical, Rollers Forever, marking the 50th anniversary of their first number-one hit.
The production, premiering next year, promises a nostalgic journey for fans of the 1970s tartan-clad sensations.
Rollers Forever will showcase the band’s timeless hits, including Bye Bye Baby, Keep On Dancing, Shang-a-Lang, and Summer Love Sensation.
The story centers on two superfans, Susan and Jenny, who reminisce about their teenage years while revisiting their devotion to the cheeky Scots.
The project has the blessing of original band member Stuart “Woody” Wood, who serves as artistic consultant.
Woody joined the Rollers in 1974, just before their meteoric rise with Shang-a-Lang. Reflecting on the band’s enduring appeal, he credits their fans for keeping the spirit alive.
“Thank God for the fans. They’ve kept it alive all these years,” Woody said.
“I can’t wait to be in the audience and watch them react. I think they’ll have their tartan out—scarves and all—and probably dress up for the occasion.”
Recalling the hysteria of their heyday, Woody described it as “a mass of crazy,” though he admits the pressures of teenage stardom were intense.
Now 67, he says he prefers a quieter life, but the musical offers a perfect opportunity to celebrate the band’s history.
The production is written by award-winning playwright Danny McCahon and directed by Liz Carruthers, with current Roller John McLaughlin also involved.
McLaughlin, a successful songwriter and producer, organized the band’s recent reunion and now finds himself living a childhood dream.
“It’s like getting to play for your favorite football team,” McLaughlin said.
He described the Rollers’ fans as a “tartan army,” whose distinctive style and enduring passion remain unparalleled.
The musical’s plot unfolds against a backdrop of 1970s nostalgia, revisiting a world of phone boxes, mail-order catalogues, and crispy pancakes.
Susan and Jenny’s lives are shaped by their devotion to the Rollers, from their first TV appearance to a dance under the shadow of Edinburgh Castle.
For superfan Gail Shackley, the show is a fitting tribute.
Gail, from Manchester, has been a devoted fan since Bye Bye Baby topped the charts in 1975.
She describes the Rollers as “the boys next door” who became a global sensation yet remained relatable to UK fans.
After a hiatus, Gail reconnected with the band in the 1990s, attending gigs and meeting frontman Les McKeown, who passed away in 2021.
She now works with his family to fund a memorial bench in Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens.
Gail believes the timing for a play like Rollers Forever is perfect, as the band’s music has regained cultural cachet. “Who doesn’t like a trip down memory lane?” she said.
Set to celebrate the music, passion, and legacy of the “tartan teens,” Rollers Forever promises fans both old and new an unforgettable journey through the Bay City Rollers’ golden era.
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