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Working under the name of Francis Rossi wouldn't have the marketability of Status Quo. Die-hard fans know that it is the same thing, but more casual fans will be attracted by the Status Quo name. Many groups keep the group name, even when there is only one original member left, such as Altered Images, Blancmange, The Sweet, and Bay City Rollers. Marc Almond performs alone, but also joins up with Dave Ball to play as Soft Cell.
Too me Rick was the better musician but I still think they were shit live. Andy from the Sweet has had it throughout the decades and I think The Sweet got screwed with bad management.
I want to know how Woody got the name for Bay City Rollers, correct me if I am wrong I don't think he was an original member neither did he throw the dart at the map of America.
Most judges just laugh when band's sue each other in court.
Its like Rubettes they have been to court a few times, I think they were manufactured also as they were session musicians for the same record label.
Green Man wrote:
I want to know how Woody got the name for Bay City Rollers, correct me if I am wrong I don't think he was an original member neither did he throw the dart at the map of America.
No Woody wasn't an original member of the group, but he was a member of the "classic" line-up started in 1974 with Les, Alan, Derek, and Eric, when they had all their big hits and massive teen following. They only had one hit before that with "Keep on Dancing" in 1971 with Nobby Clark on lead vocals.
The only reason I can think of for how he got the rights to use the name is that no one disputed it. Alan and Les are dead, and Eric and Derek have no interest in being in the band anymore. They didn't appear in the 2015 reunion tour, which brought together Alan, Les, and Woody.
Speaking of Bay City Rollers, they will be playing at Guilfest this year on 5th July, along with the Jacksons, Soul 2 Soul, Leo Sayer, Stereo Mcs, Sleeper, and many others.
Are you going Robbie? Leo Sayer does put on a decent show. However there is a lot of naff in the line up. Razor Light have always male minge cringe.
Give credit where it's due Woody has given young lads a job and they are playing with a Roller. Only tribute of Blondie worth going to see is Bootleg Blondie.
I'm thinking of going on the Saturday. The line-up is stronger and I don't have to get up for work the next day.
I don't care for Razorlight or KT Tunstall on sunday. The only bands I would be interested in seeing on the sunday would be Altered Images, The Primitives, and Skids. So its not worth the £61.00 ticket price.
Green Man wrote: What the 2015 gigs of Bay City Rollers like Robbie, I missed them sadly.
The one I went to at Hammersmith Apollo was a lot of fun. They had Les, Alan, and Woody at the front and other musicians behind, probably doing the bulk of the heavy lifting. It was quite emotional to see the 3 "original" members from the classic line-up back together. Les was in good voice, and the sound quality was good. I hope that they made some good coin from it. Some of the gigs only contained Les and Alan, because of an argument between Les and Woody, but I was lucky enough to see all 3.
I remember reading that one member pulled out during mid tour due to more arguments. I don't think Les was a nice person but he had a lot of demons and trauma. I would like to see his solo albums out in a box set.
Woody did try to get the surviving members of BCR but was told not to contact anyone any more. Maybe just too many bad memories. If Woody BCR came locally I would go to it, it's the nearest thing.
However Les's old backing band are pretty much the official tribute band they use real footage of Les at their gigs.
I have seen band's where it's one original member left. Kast Off Kinks is one example and very cheap to see.
Thanks Robbie, I have pencilled in Newbury and Wimborne. I do have a few things lined up to see locally, I try and support regional when I can, it's use it or lose it!
I still have a Supertramp tribute show ticket, which I can't go to now, that I am trying to sell cheaply. As I will be in Scotland to see an arena band. Quite ironic.
robbiex wrote: Green Man wrote: What the 2015 gigs of Bay City Rollers like Robbie, I missed them sadly.
The one I went to at Hammersmith Apollo was a lot of fun. They had Les, Alan, and Woody at the front and other musicians behind, probably doing the bulk of the heavy lifting. It was quite emotional to see the 3 "original" members from the classic line-up back together. Les was in good voice, and the sound quality was good. I hope that they made some good coin from it. Some of the gigs only contained Les and Alan, because of an argument between Les and Woody, but I was lucky enough to see all 3.
Snapper could be releasing a complete BCR box set, but I am not sure if it contains any demos or outtakes. I have had sessions bootlegs in the past of KISS, The Who, The Searchers and Kinks. Only a small handful of demos etc are better than the final product. If BCR demos are not included I don't we are missing much to be honest.
I do know from a bit of an insider that Les never wanted his solo albums remixed and put out; he probably has his reasons.
Green Man wrote: robbiex wrote: Green Man wrote: What the 2015 gigs of Bay City Rollers like Robbie, I missed them sadly.
The one I went to at Hammersmith Apollo was a lot of fun. They had Les, Alan, and Woody at the front and other musicians behind, probably doing the bulk of the heavy lifting. It was quite emotional to see the 3 "original" members from the classic line-up back together. Les was in good voice, and the sound quality was good. I hope that they made some good coin from it. Some of the gigs only contained Les and Alan, because of an argument between Les and Woody, but I was lucky enough to see all 3.
Snapper could be releasing a complete BCR box set, but I am not sure if it contains any demos or outtakes. I have had sessions bootlegs in the past of KISS, The Who, The Searchers and Kinks. Only a small handful of demos etc are better than the final product. If BCR demos are not included I don't we are missing much to be honest.
I do know from a bit of an insider that Les never wanted his solo albums remixed and put out; he probably has his reasons.
I don't think there would be much demand for Les's solo albums in the uK. His solo career bombed over here.
As for BCR, I haven't really heard much of their stuff aside from the singles, which I have on a greatest hits album. It was diminishing returns after "Shang-a-lang". They would make a good subject for a biopic or documentary. There was so much drama in their lives. They had massive success and had a beatle-like following. Then there were financial issues, terrible accidents (Les knocked down an old lady), criminal convictions (Tam and Derek) and a massive downfall when the hits dried up.
Having a very documentary about the Rollers would be something. I have read Alan's and Les's autobiographies. Even though they are very well written there is stuff you could tell they were holding back.
Alan did stand by Derek, during the trail for kiddie filth. I wonder if Tam really did set up Derek, has the Rollers were trying to find their millions they generated and Derek is or was a child nurse for hospitals.
I did like the Channel 4 documentary, even though is marred by the appearence of Savile, he did make some very good points.
My regret is not not appreciating the Rollers in my younger days, as an elder, I do now, my partner was a Roller. The lads use to call them "Gay City Rollers" to wind up the girls. One girl got picked on for having a crush on Alan, girls said he looked old etc. Looking back he was very talented. He would have a fitted in well in a prog rock band.
I wonder if Woody will write more indepth in his book, he can't really slander anyone as several members are still alive but retired from music.
I would have no problem seeing Woody live with his BCR and having a sing-song.
There was a very good documentary on bbc 4 in 2015 above, which I'm sure you've probably seen, if not its essential viewing. I'll have to check out Alan's autobiography, he does seem more intelligent than Les, and probably a better writer. I read the book "Bye Bye Baby" by Caroline Sullivan, which was about her obsession with the group and the hysteria surrounding them in the US. It was an excellent book and I'd thoroughly recommend it.
I saw the channel 4 documentary from 2003 "Who got the roller's millions" which was also very good, although focused almost entirely on the negative (i.e. how they were ripped off).
I think I'll go and see Woody's BCR at Guilfest, although I'm slightly disgruntled about him using the name Bay City Rollers, when it is populated mostly with people who weren't born when the rollers were having hits. I'm sure it will be a good fun Sing-Song on a sunny Saturday afternoon with a few refreshments. They will be on in the afternoon as they are halfway down the list.
Alan's book is worth reading, Robbie, and it's very cheap on ebay. He admits at the start of the book that it's not a tell-all, which I think is because there were people still alive when it was published. It's a very short book, but well written.
I think I'll go and see Woody's BCR at Guilfest, although I'm slightly disgruntled about him using the name Bay City Rollers, when it is populated mostly with people who weren't born when the rollers were having hits. I'm sure it will be a good fun Sing-Song on a sunny Saturday afternoon with a few refreshments. They will be on in the afternoon as they are halfway down the list.
I don't really travel these days unless it's something special. I find driving boring and driving longer than a concert's duration becomes a chore.
There is going to be a lot of people who remember the Rollers back in the day, they know it's just Woody, but they want to hear the hits, have a merry sing-along with some bevvies.
Another band that pisses me off is Tangerine Dream the members look fresh out uni. Not one legacy member.
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