Irish-born rock legend Ian Mitchell has died at age 62, the Bay City Rollers confirmed in a social media post on Wednesday. He is pictured as a teen at the height of his fame in London, England in 1976.
The British musician’s death was announced in a post on the band’s official Facebook page, which read: “We are deeply saddened by the news of Ian Mitchell’s death.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Wendy, their family and friends,” they said, adding, “Rest In Peace, Ian.”
The Bay City Rollers were considered the second coming of the Beatles in the 1970s. Their hit song “Saturday Night” was ignored for two years in Europe until the single hit No. 1 on the U.S. Hot 100 Billboard chart in 1976.
Bay City Roller-mania hit the United States like a tornado when the group arrive on U.S. shores in 1976. Medics and nurses were on duty at all venues because female fans fainted when the group toured the U.S. for the first time.
Mitchell is pictured far right with bandmates (L-R back) Derek Longmuir and Leslie Mckeown, (L-R front) Eric Faulkner and Stuart “Woody” Wood in August 1976.
Ian, who unlike his bandmates hailed from Northern Ireland, was just 17 when he was recruited by the group to replace bassist Alan Longmuir. Ian spent just seven months with the band before leaving in late 1976 due to apparent infighting among its members. He was replaced by Pat McGlynn.
Ian went on to form the band Rosetta Stone before he quit in 1979. The group continued without him before parting ways in 1984.
In later years, he continued working on solo projects as well as joining in reunions for both the Bay City Rollers and Rosetta Stone.
No cause of death was disclosed.
