IMPORTANT NOTE: You do NOT have to register to read, post, listen or contribute. If you simply wish to remain fully anonymous, you can still contribute.
He may have been a gentleman but can someone who spent years contesting cash wrangles with band members over royalties, being jailed in 1982 for indecency with young boys, then pleading guilty to reduced charges, admitting that he had molested ten boys. In 2003 he was fined £20,000 after admitting being concerned in the supply of cannabis. Only last year he was again arrested on drug charges before being bailed for health reasons. JK, you may remember that he was arrested as part of the investigation surrounding your "slight hiccup". His last days were spent being tended to by young men bringing him cups of tea and making his dinner. Given the mans widely known shady past, is this a description of a "decent man ?" Ask former Roller Pat McGlynn who is quoted in todays paper, "Great news. I hope he roasts in hell."
The members of the Bay City Rollers won't be shedding any tears because apparently he ripped them off, conning Les Mckeown into signing a power of attorney. They should all be living in big mansions by now, but instead they still have to earn a living.
It was Arista who ripped us all off; I've never received a penny of my 4% producer's royalty for their first hit Keep On Dancing. Tam never ripped anyone off and the malicious allegations against him were mostly shown to be false.
Without him the Rollers would never have happened. No talent there.
never really got to know him but hitched a ride once to Edinburugh in his Roller. Drove all through the night looking wild eyed until I managed to talk him into letting me drive.
vale Tam !
Although I didn't know Paton I followed his travails closely. He was from an era when a handful of managers manufactured groups.
All the Bay City Rollers were replaceable by someone the same age with minimal talent and cheeky grins. There would have been no Rollers without Tam.
These young guys (and the 2 I got to know weren't very likable) were given a golden opportunity to build wealth a career for the future.
Perhaps Paton signed bad deals on their behalf but that was so common when record companies controlled the business. It's significant that not one has forged a musical career.
Not a lot there to denote a "shady past". Court battles in the music biz are common...as are drugs.
"His last days were spent being tended to by young men bringing him cups of tea and making his dinner"..obviously some people cared about him !
Not very charitable of McGlynn..especially if he believes in Heavan & Hell !
The Rollers were a fun band.
They were manufactured of course,thanks to Tam,he was the creative side.
The band members,well they must have enjoyed their life of stardom,and the associated money they can still make on the nostalgia circuit.
Must have been better than doing a normal job,say the docks,or heavy industry.
Music biz aside, supplying drugs (being caught and then prosecuted and molesting young boys) is somewhat shady? My point being that for all his success, his "work" since leaving the music industry has been over shadowed by negativity and that is how he will be remembered. It was common knowledge by locals that Tam preffered young boys only to look after him. God only knows why.
I still don't see how he was "shady". Supplying drugs is nothing-illegal yes, but they should be legal anyway. Britain has a few million drug suppliers-kids buying xtc for their friends etc.
OK he went to jail for a year for the boys but upon examining what really happened it's not a bad as it seems. They were all aroud 15-17 (he wouldnt be charged for some if it had been years later)and multiple charges include things like showing one a hetro porno film. No doubt he put his hand up for 10 to make sure he was covered in the future...like taking into account a whole burglaries. A year indicates the evidence wasn't too heavy.
I'd need to know more of the details (actually I don't want to !) but I'm not too sure the world is full of innocent young chaps out there who are seduced..there are thousands of predatory teens and when it suits them they cash in.
It all diverts from the real victims. Breeaking the law isn't shady. In fact an honest man cant help but break the law.
Tam was my manager, my friend, and he was like a father to me. He gave me an opportunity that comes only once in a lifetime. I will be forever in his debt.
I truly loved Tam and I will miss him dearly. Thank you Tam, for if it wasn’t for you, not ONE of the Bay City Rollers would be where we are today. I am dedicating tomorrow night’s show to you, my dear friend.
JK2006 wrote: It was Arista who ripped us all off; I've never received a penny of my 4% producer's royalty for their first hit Keep On Dancing. Tam never ripped anyone off and the malicious allegations against him were mostly shown to be false.
Without him the Rollers would never have happened. No talent there.
So how come he lived in an enormous mansion ? How did he make his millions considering the BCR boys all seemed to get nothing ?
Supplying drugs is nothing and getting jailed for a year for molesting boys is not as bad as it seems?? Sorry Veritas but that doesn't really stack up in the real world.
That is pleasing to hear and sounds more accurate. The other BCRollers realy don't themselvs a good service with mean-sprited comments
I didn't know Paton personally (although I met him), but I didn't see how he could be accused of being "shady" although I accept that anyone can question his character over the charges he faced. We should also note that the BCRollers all seem to hate each other as much as some hated Paton.
But unless I know the full facts I'm not about to judge him yet just on media reports when I know it's more complex.
Touching on that subject-I've noted over the years how commentators who dare to question events surrounding any sort of sexual accusation are howled down and silenced in a real witch-hunt.
There is only about one that I see is still brave enough to question some of the morality surrounding these cases-Germaine Greer.
Youtube is full of ex rollers videos.Most of them milking the reunion circuit.Does indicate that they never had the talent to make it on their own.
I don't think talent was the issue. The issue at the time as shown on the BBC documentary "Whatever happened to the Bay City Rollers millions?" was Tam Paton said that he never got any money either and swore blind to Les McKeown that he didn't know where any of the money went and that he was ripped off as well. So I'm not sure what he managed to invest out of nothing to end up with a £5.2 million estate.
Ian Mitchell wasn't with the Rollers when they had their big hits. He only joined in the latter part of 1976 and the million sellers were long gone by then.
Mike; money comes from different places when you're a huge band - record royalties (of which I got none and earned £2 million) were the key area of complaint but merchandising, touring, endorsements and so on all add up to a great deal.
Stupid kids, warned to think about the future and pensions, still blow their shares on birds and boys, drugs, limos, champagne, huge houses and showing off.
Believe me, the Rollers got through several fortunes as well as getting ripped off.
Tam took his fair share and invested instead of wasting it.
Forums 
