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I Ran With The Gang: My Life In and Out of the Bay City Rollers
Alan Longmuir was born in Edinburgh in 1948. In his teens, he formed the band that became the Bay City Rollers. The Rollers became one of the most commercially successful musical acts of the 1970s, selling more than 120 million records and igniting Rollermania a phenomenon that spread across the globe. Alan died in 2018 while completing this autobiography.
Martin Knight was born in 1957. He has written autobiographies with footballers George Best, Dave Mackay, Charlie Cooke and Peter Osgood. His book Gypsy Joe, about a Romany gypsy and fighter who became a professional golfer, was named as The Observer Sports Book of the Year. Martin has also authored novels and true crime titles.
Martin Knight was born in 1957. He has written autobiographies with footballers George Best, Dave Mackay, Charlie Cooke and Peter Osgood. His book Gypsy Joe, about a Romany gypsy and fighter who became a professional golfer, was named as The Observer Sports Book of the Year. Martin has also authored novels and true crime titles.
208 pages, ebook
Published November 14, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 15, 2024
I loved the Rollers. I'd head down to the local music 🎶store and buy 16 and Tigerbeat magazines. On my bedroom walls were poster's of B.C.R., Mostly Eric! Or Andy Gibb. Eric Faulkner was my dream, also Andy Gibb! Can't leave Andy out, because they were the only two who fought for space on my walls. I was a bit disappointed when Alan stated from the get go that he wasn't going to be dishing the dirt. Truth is, had I known, I wouldn't have read this book at all. See Alan, for me, was the old dude. I ignored him and his brother Derek completely. Alan was old, and Derek was too blonde! Yeah, I know, but besides Andy Gibb, I've never liked blondes. It's just a thing. After reading this book, I'm quite a bit more thankful to both Alan and his brother for starting this awesome band. I don't know or really care about some people's feelings about B.C.R. music. I was in 7th grade, and 12 years old when I took notice of them. Jeezum crow! That's hormones raging! Shit fuzzy! Man, I'm glad that shits done with! Damn, their love songs broke my heart. Hell, they still break my heart. Still, I'm not surprised that people as young as these guy's got screwed out of their money. Young and trusting. I get that! What is strange to me is the fact that they let a manager control what they said, did and acted. I'm 55, but I've had one rule in my life, especially since I left home...way back in the 1980's. "Don't tell me what to do! " So I can't imagine being a huge band, and letting someone control me. It boggles the mind. Their manager was a turd. Would I recommend this book? No. It's not essential b.c.r. reading. Yes, I realize that Alan passed in July, but I'm not sentimental. My thanks to Martin Knight and Netgalley.
December 20, 2018
I was the only 4-year old Beatles fan in my neighborhood in 1967, during the "Summer of Love". My brother was four years older than me, so because of him I grew up on them. They were just a part of me. However, when I was 13 and in the eighth grade in 1976, I was swept away by a pop band all on my own...The Bay City Rollers! They came from Edinburgh Scotland, had cute accents, and their lead guitarist Eric Faulkner had me totally smitten with his dazzling blue eyes and long dark lashes. Just the thought of him still makes me sigh! Their music was melodic with a lot of production, just the way I loved it. Even my parents liked their music. They were wholesome, harmless, and I was seriously crushing on Eric. I sat on my front porch that summer with my two friends next door, and played their first two albums "Bay City Rollers" and "Rock and Roll Love Letter" on a small portable record player. We knew every lyric and enthusiastically sang along...over and over again. My parents bought me a plaid bedspread for my room and I decorated my four walls with all their posters. When I first attended high school I wore a Bay City Rollers tee shirt and made a new best friend who also loved The Rollers. Her favorite was the lead singer, Les McKeown. We frequented the local newspaper store looking for new teen magazines such as 16 Magazine and Tiger Beat, that would be chock full of new color photos, pull-out posters and band interviews. Reading the articles about The Bay City Rollers, I would find out about songs not on the American albums (which were on Arista records), but were on the British import, Bell Records. So, I waltzed down to my local record shop and had them order all three British imported BCR Albums, "Rollin'", "Once Upon a Star", and "Wouldn't you Like it?". This was my first discovery that the British Import records usually were much thicker, but the album covers were a bit thinner. Another interesting fact: My fellow Bay City Roller devotees were also Beatles fans. I still have all their albums in pristine plastic covers stored down my basement, twice over; one of my BCR mates got married and moved to Virginia, thinking she would leave that bit of her past behind with me. However, even though I am no longer that lovestruck teenager, I still love The Bay City Rollers' music to this day. To that end, several years ago I acquired their whole collection on mp3s and added it them to my iPod. When I listen to their music, the wave of nostalgia washes over me and makes my heart glow.
My nostalgic feeling for them in the last decade had prompted me to search for books about them, as I just love reading rock biographies. My favorite one was written by their uber fan Caroline Sullivan called "Bye Bye Baby: My Tragic Love Affair with the Bay City Rollers". She was a teenager growing up in the US that pulled out all the stops to wangle her way into press conferences, hotels, etc. where the Bay City Rollers would be. She even succeeded getting into one of their beds! As an adult, she actually migrated to England and became a British citizen and a journalist for The Guardian. She also reconnected with The Rollers and interviewed them in a professional capacity. Funny how life turns out! Alan Longmuir even mentions her in this book. The second favorite book I've read about The Bay City Rollers is the one that lead singer Les McKeown wrote called, "Shang-a-Lang: Life as an International Pop Idol". Both Caroline's and Les's tomes are chock full of insider dish and are therefore riveting to read. As much of a diehard fan of The Bay City Rollers I was over the decades, I was able to glean a lot of previously unheard information from those books...a lot of it titillating. However, that's not how founding, oldest Bay City Roller Alan Longmuir wrote his book.
Alan Longmuir states right at the beginning of his book that it won't be a snarky tell-all type of book. That took the wind out of my sails immediately as to how much I would enjoy it. I'm a bit embarrassed to say (but have to be honest) that I WAS looking for some juicy dish, especially from an actual band member's autobiography. Instead, it was an honest, clean accounting of how he assembled the band, its many personnel changes, albums they recorded, concert venues they played, etc. He also covered the evolution of their manager Tam Paton who started out as a good man, but went very wrong. Like other bands, they were robbed of untold millions of pounds due to shifty/poor management practices. However, Alan was a plumber before The Rollers became famous and when necessary, he went back to doing that. He was even homeless for a time, which is a crying shame. His younger brother, drummer Derek, actually became a nurse following The Rollers' demise.
Alan Longmuir was the oldest and founding band member of The Bay City Rollers. I always regarded him as a very good man, probably the nicest and most level-headed of the bunch. He was the first to leave the band during the craziness of their fame, wanting a simpler, down-to earth life. Sadly, he passed away at the age of 70, just as he was finishing up this book, due to a viral infection he contracted during a trip to Mexico. He was an extremely nice man who wrote a good account of The Bay City Rollers from its inception through its various incarnations, being careful to not sully the reputations of any of his band members. The closest he came, and even that was with restraint... was his disdain for manager Tam Paton at the end of his life. This is a mark of class on Alan's part, but for a seasoned BCR fan like me, it just fell short. This book will probably satisfy a casual Bay City Rollers fan, but if you're looking for sizzling revelations, you'll have to look elsewhere.
Thank you to the publisher Luath Press who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
My nostalgic feeling for them in the last decade had prompted me to search for books about them, as I just love reading rock biographies. My favorite one was written by their uber fan Caroline Sullivan called "Bye Bye Baby: My Tragic Love Affair with the Bay City Rollers". She was a teenager growing up in the US that pulled out all the stops to wangle her way into press conferences, hotels, etc. where the Bay City Rollers would be. She even succeeded getting into one of their beds! As an adult, she actually migrated to England and became a British citizen and a journalist for The Guardian. She also reconnected with The Rollers and interviewed them in a professional capacity. Funny how life turns out! Alan Longmuir even mentions her in this book. The second favorite book I've read about The Bay City Rollers is the one that lead singer Les McKeown wrote called, "Shang-a-Lang: Life as an International Pop Idol". Both Caroline's and Les's tomes are chock full of insider dish and are therefore riveting to read. As much of a diehard fan of The Bay City Rollers I was over the decades, I was able to glean a lot of previously unheard information from those books...a lot of it titillating. However, that's not how founding, oldest Bay City Roller Alan Longmuir wrote his book.
Alan Longmuir states right at the beginning of his book that it won't be a snarky tell-all type of book. That took the wind out of my sails immediately as to how much I would enjoy it. I'm a bit embarrassed to say (but have to be honest) that I WAS looking for some juicy dish, especially from an actual band member's autobiography. Instead, it was an honest, clean accounting of how he assembled the band, its many personnel changes, albums they recorded, concert venues they played, etc. He also covered the evolution of their manager Tam Paton who started out as a good man, but went very wrong. Like other bands, they were robbed of untold millions of pounds due to shifty/poor management practices. However, Alan was a plumber before The Rollers became famous and when necessary, he went back to doing that. He was even homeless for a time, which is a crying shame. His younger brother, drummer Derek, actually became a nurse following The Rollers' demise.
Alan Longmuir was the oldest and founding band member of The Bay City Rollers. I always regarded him as a very good man, probably the nicest and most level-headed of the bunch. He was the first to leave the band during the craziness of their fame, wanting a simpler, down-to earth life. Sadly, he passed away at the age of 70, just as he was finishing up this book, due to a viral infection he contracted during a trip to Mexico. He was an extremely nice man who wrote a good account of The Bay City Rollers from its inception through its various incarnations, being careful to not sully the reputations of any of his band members. The closest he came, and even that was with restraint... was his disdain for manager Tam Paton at the end of his life. This is a mark of class on Alan's part, but for a seasoned BCR fan like me, it just fell short. This book will probably satisfy a casual Bay City Rollers fan, but if you're looking for sizzling revelations, you'll have to look elsewhere.
Thank you to the publisher Luath Press who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
January 1, 2019
By the mid 1970’s, The Bay City Rollers, a five member pop- rock band from Edinburgh Scotland, had reached phenomenal world- wide success. Around the globe, their concerts were attended by thousands of hysterical screaming teenage girls— “Rollermania” was easily compared to “Beatlemania” which occurred just a decade before. “I Ran With The Gang: My Life In and Out of the Bay City Rollers” (2018) was written by founding member Alan Longmuir with sports writer and novelist Martin Knight. The book shares his true inside story of the rise and fall of this incredible boy band. A brief fascinating history of rock music is included in prelude.
Inspired by the Beatles, Alan Longmuir wanted to form a similar rock band; he was a left-hand bassist like Paul McCartney, his brother Derrick could play the drums like Ringo Starr. Over time, various young musicians would circulate through the BCR, the most popular “classic” five member line-up was: brothers Alan and Derrek Longmuir, Les McKeown, Eric Faulkner and Stewart “Woody” Wood.
BCR manager Tam Paton immediately saw the potential and appeal of the band and began local bookings that quickly branched out to other countries including the U.K. Tam had several influential music production connections helped the BCR get a great start. Paton insisted on total control and that the BCR remain without girlfriends to increase their appeal with their teen girl fan base. The BCR were forced to maintain a wholesome image; and weren’t allowed to participate in the drink/drug party scene similar to their peers in other bands. While this was a good marketing strategy for their fan base, it wasn’t very realistic. The press began to speculate about Paton’s homosexuality and interest in young boys. Paton also brought in experienced studio musicians for recording sessions, which led to untrue accusations that BCR members didn’t play their own instruments. With the negative press, the grueling demands of constant touring, and the lack of support for BCR having their own music featured both on stage and records-- tension, trouble, and creative differences increased. In addition, the BCR were acutely aware that they were not receiving the income they were rightfully entitled too, and were burnt out by the constant grueling over-work and touring schedule that benefited and raised millions for music management and production companies.
Alan was the first to leave the band, and return to his Edinburgh estate in Dollar. In the late 1970’s, he was called to mediate a BCR reunion tour in Switzerland, which went well. However, by the time the BCR arrived to perform at the Budokan, a Tokyo “premiere venue,” some band members were unhappy and fighting. Paton was finally dismissed, unable to handle his job duties.
Alan was candid about his slide into despair and depression after leaving the band, an unsuccessful attempt to run a hospitality business, his marriage that ended in divorce. Alan related his story without the edge of bitterness, and regained a deep satisfaction with life after he remarried-- eventually contacting Knight to write his story. Sadly, Alan passed away suddenly before this book was published, and Knight wrote that he will always be grateful for the privilege to know Alan Longmuir and share his extraordinary life story with the Bay City Rollers. ** With thanks and appreciation to Luath Press Limited (Edinburgh) via NetGalley for the DDC for the purpose of review.
Inspired by the Beatles, Alan Longmuir wanted to form a similar rock band; he was a left-hand bassist like Paul McCartney, his brother Derrick could play the drums like Ringo Starr. Over time, various young musicians would circulate through the BCR, the most popular “classic” five member line-up was: brothers Alan and Derrek Longmuir, Les McKeown, Eric Faulkner and Stewart “Woody” Wood.
BCR manager Tam Paton immediately saw the potential and appeal of the band and began local bookings that quickly branched out to other countries including the U.K. Tam had several influential music production connections helped the BCR get a great start. Paton insisted on total control and that the BCR remain without girlfriends to increase their appeal with their teen girl fan base. The BCR were forced to maintain a wholesome image; and weren’t allowed to participate in the drink/drug party scene similar to their peers in other bands. While this was a good marketing strategy for their fan base, it wasn’t very realistic. The press began to speculate about Paton’s homosexuality and interest in young boys. Paton also brought in experienced studio musicians for recording sessions, which led to untrue accusations that BCR members didn’t play their own instruments. With the negative press, the grueling demands of constant touring, and the lack of support for BCR having their own music featured both on stage and records-- tension, trouble, and creative differences increased. In addition, the BCR were acutely aware that they were not receiving the income they were rightfully entitled too, and were burnt out by the constant grueling over-work and touring schedule that benefited and raised millions for music management and production companies.
Alan was the first to leave the band, and return to his Edinburgh estate in Dollar. In the late 1970’s, he was called to mediate a BCR reunion tour in Switzerland, which went well. However, by the time the BCR arrived to perform at the Budokan, a Tokyo “premiere venue,” some band members were unhappy and fighting. Paton was finally dismissed, unable to handle his job duties.
Alan was candid about his slide into despair and depression after leaving the band, an unsuccessful attempt to run a hospitality business, his marriage that ended in divorce. Alan related his story without the edge of bitterness, and regained a deep satisfaction with life after he remarried-- eventually contacting Knight to write his story. Sadly, Alan passed away suddenly before this book was published, and Knight wrote that he will always be grateful for the privilege to know Alan Longmuir and share his extraordinary life story with the Bay City Rollers. ** With thanks and appreciation to Luath Press Limited (Edinburgh) via NetGalley for the DDC for the purpose of review.
December 17, 2018
I Ran With The Gang: My Life In and Out of the Bay City Rollers
This was a pleasant trip back to the mid-1970s the time when the group the Bay City Rollers were hot on the music charts. It turned out to be a well-written biography of the guy who started the band, Alan Longmuir, a plumber together with his younger brother Derek and cousin Neil Porteous. They had a lot of members who rotated in and then out of the band over the years. There’s an Introduction by Alwin Turner, a cultural and political historian. Then the good stuff starts in.
I enjoy reading these rock group biographies from that era because we are losing some of these guys and gals every year, and this was a good one. Sadly, Longmuir was among those who passed away in 2018 while working on his book. I enjoyed reading the heartfelt and humble story of his life before, during and after the band. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, authors Alan Longmuir with Martin Knight, and the publisher for my fair review.
Publisher: Luath Press
Published: Nov 28th, 2018
My BookZone blog:
https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...
This was a pleasant trip back to the mid-1970s the time when the group the Bay City Rollers were hot on the music charts. It turned out to be a well-written biography of the guy who started the band, Alan Longmuir, a plumber together with his younger brother Derek and cousin Neil Porteous. They had a lot of members who rotated in and then out of the band over the years. There’s an Introduction by Alwin Turner, a cultural and political historian. Then the good stuff starts in.
I enjoy reading these rock group biographies from that era because we are losing some of these guys and gals every year, and this was a good one. Sadly, Longmuir was among those who passed away in 2018 while working on his book. I enjoyed reading the heartfelt and humble story of his life before, during and after the band. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, authors Alan Longmuir with Martin Knight, and the publisher for my fair review.
Publisher: Luath Press
Published: Nov 28th, 2018
My BookZone blog:
https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...
December 4, 2018
Fantastic book. Couldn’t put it down. Felt as though Alan was in the room with you telling you his life story. Lots of interesting stories about his life in and out of the Bay City Rollers that even committed fans wouldn’t know about. This book is very different from lots of books about the Bay City Rollers as it doesn’t dwell on the dark parts of the Rollers but instead comes over as a happy book, remembering all the good times as well as the not so good. A real tribute to Alan, beautifully written by Martin Knight
April 9, 2019
"This book is the story of my life as I best remember it, in and out of the Bay City Rollers. I will not be dishing dirt, speculating, commenting or making any shocking revelations about the personal lives of any of my band colleagues. What happened or didn’t happen to them is their business and not for me to state or judge. They can, have and might write their own accounts. In this book I will willingly invade my own privacy, but not theirs."
Alan Longmuir has written a fascinating autobiography. He formed the Bay City Rollers back in the 60s in Scotland (initially called The Saxons), and in the mid-70s the band rocketed to international stardom with a string of hits. They sold over 100 million records and performed sold out concerts to screaming fans. They became teen idols. They had their own TV shows. They caused riots and pandemonium not seen since The Beatles. "Rollermania" spread from Scotland to England to the US to Canada to Australia to Japan. With their trademark tartan outfits and clean good looks, they were on top of the world.
But all good things come to an end. The non-stop touring and performing took a huge toll on the band. Their manager, Tam Paton, micromanaged not only their careers but their personal lives. He was a slave driver, both working the boys hard and secretly taking all their money. With so much hysteria surrounding them it was perhaps natural that a crash would come, but public opinion turned against them in a vicious way. And when Paton was later convicted of molesting young boys, it further tarnished the band's reputation.
"Tam Paton casts a malevolent shadow over this book. I wanted to keep him out of it, but it has proved impossible. I hope I have kept the bastard at bay, at least. I am sure that more will come out on Tam and that his depravity ran deeper than we currently know. When people ask me for my opinion on him I often say he was a good man, gone bad."
I could hardly put the book down. Longmuir comes across as genuine and an honestly nice guy. He tells his story as if you're sitting next to him in a Scottish pub (with plenty of his Scottish brogue). He soundly dispels the claims that they couldn't sing or play their own instruments, that they were merely pretty faces or were all hype and manufactured image. He has high praise for his bandmates and doesn't let Paton off the hook for his dishonesty. And the fact that he passed away just before the book came out adds to the poignancy of his story.
For years I've been embarrassed to admit I was a fan of the Rollers. Granted, I was only 9 or 10 years old at the time, but as near as I could tell not many fans were boys. I was introduced to the music by a couple of slightly older girls who lived around the corner from me and whose bedroom walls were covered by their pictures. Me? I loved the music, but I couldn't help being awed by the outsize FAME the Rollers had. When they disappeared I moved on to new wave, but I'm still impressed with how good the music is. "Bye Bye Baby," "Saturday Night," "Rock 'n' Roll Love Letter," "Too Young To Rock and Roll," "Summerlove Sensation," "Yesterday's Hero" and on and on and on! It's happy music - sometimes pop, sometimes rock, sometimes a little disco - and putting my BCR playlist on and watching videos of them on YouTube while reading this book was a pleasant memory lane trip.
"I’m only guessing, but I think we remind many fans of happier times. When they were free, life was easy and a mad adventure of discovery. I think it reminds them of mums and dads perhaps no longer here, friends that have flown, the pleasure and the pain of adolescence and when they come face to face with one of us it’s like a key unlocking all those emotions."
*Many thanks to Luath Press and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Alan Longmuir has written a fascinating autobiography. He formed the Bay City Rollers back in the 60s in Scotland (initially called The Saxons), and in the mid-70s the band rocketed to international stardom with a string of hits. They sold over 100 million records and performed sold out concerts to screaming fans. They became teen idols. They had their own TV shows. They caused riots and pandemonium not seen since The Beatles. "Rollermania" spread from Scotland to England to the US to Canada to Australia to Japan. With their trademark tartan outfits and clean good looks, they were on top of the world.
But all good things come to an end. The non-stop touring and performing took a huge toll on the band. Their manager, Tam Paton, micromanaged not only their careers but their personal lives. He was a slave driver, both working the boys hard and secretly taking all their money. With so much hysteria surrounding them it was perhaps natural that a crash would come, but public opinion turned against them in a vicious way. And when Paton was later convicted of molesting young boys, it further tarnished the band's reputation.
"Tam Paton casts a malevolent shadow over this book. I wanted to keep him out of it, but it has proved impossible. I hope I have kept the bastard at bay, at least. I am sure that more will come out on Tam and that his depravity ran deeper than we currently know. When people ask me for my opinion on him I often say he was a good man, gone bad."
I could hardly put the book down. Longmuir comes across as genuine and an honestly nice guy. He tells his story as if you're sitting next to him in a Scottish pub (with plenty of his Scottish brogue). He soundly dispels the claims that they couldn't sing or play their own instruments, that they were merely pretty faces or were all hype and manufactured image. He has high praise for his bandmates and doesn't let Paton off the hook for his dishonesty. And the fact that he passed away just before the book came out adds to the poignancy of his story.
For years I've been embarrassed to admit I was a fan of the Rollers. Granted, I was only 9 or 10 years old at the time, but as near as I could tell not many fans were boys. I was introduced to the music by a couple of slightly older girls who lived around the corner from me and whose bedroom walls were covered by their pictures. Me? I loved the music, but I couldn't help being awed by the outsize FAME the Rollers had. When they disappeared I moved on to new wave, but I'm still impressed with how good the music is. "Bye Bye Baby," "Saturday Night," "Rock 'n' Roll Love Letter," "Too Young To Rock and Roll," "Summerlove Sensation," "Yesterday's Hero" and on and on and on! It's happy music - sometimes pop, sometimes rock, sometimes a little disco - and putting my BCR playlist on and watching videos of them on YouTube while reading this book was a pleasant memory lane trip.
"I’m only guessing, but I think we remind many fans of happier times. When they were free, life was easy and a mad adventure of discovery. I think it reminds them of mums and dads perhaps no longer here, friends that have flown, the pleasure and the pain of adolescence and when they come face to face with one of us it’s like a key unlocking all those emotions."
*Many thanks to Luath Press and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 8, 2019
Throughout I Ran With The Gang, Alan Longmuir’s voice, ably assisted along the way by Martin Knight, draws the reader in for a very even ride through an incredibly uneven life. If Simon Spence’s superb When The Screaming Stops managed to put the colossally dark side of the Bay City Rollers’ story into focus, I Ran With The Gang did the job of bringing the light, even if not uniformly or blindingly bright enough to completely wipe out the shadows. Like many before him, and like many yet to come, Alan Longmuir’s cardinal mistake was having not been careful in what he’d wished for. The 1970s redefined the music industry — more money appeared, heightened corruption followed and, for the artists, victimization often masqueraded as success. Eventually, as it always must, the penny drops. Alan Longmuir’s advantage was his seemingly innate sense to look within for fulfillment and not without. And certainly not towards the trappings of celebrity. I Ran With The Gang reads like sitting one stool down from a brilliant raconteur who, despite having seen it all, remains genuinely and endearingly humble. In that sense, it sits very nicely on the shelf alongside Ian Hunter’s 1974 Diary Of A Rock And Roll Star. More’s the pity that Alan’s not around to reap the well-deserved praise.
January 2, 2019
Yes, I was a Bay City Rollers fan. Still am. I don't expect that to ever change. However, unlike a lot of girls who insisted it was their image and the tartan and the cute faces that made them fans, that was never it for me. I adored their music. I still adore their music. I could always, as a music lover in general, even a young one (I wasn't a teen yet when they hit the US), appreciate the complexities of the songs, the gorgeous harmonies, and the subtle innuendos covered somewhat, at least sometimes, with double-entendres. I love clever word play. I love upbeat, thoughtful, fun, different.
So, yes, critics and jealous boys (sometimes one and the same, really) panned them way back when because of their image. Eh. I knew what I knew. They were an awfully good pop band.
I can't say how glad I am that Alan wrote this book, his story, but also the real story of the Bay City Rollers. The memoir/autobiography is so very Alan that you can almost hear him telling it as you read. It's not a nasty tell-all because that's not who he was. It's genuine. It's kind, even to those who may not quite deserve so much kindness. It's down-to-earth. It shows his bewilderment, sadness, humility, and, overall, his happiness. It shows the harsh and often sadistic underbelly of the music world. But overall, it shines through with his gentlemen-like observance that his choices were his and although there were some he wish he hadn't made, he lived a satisfying and productive life, leaving behind quite the legacy.
This is not a book only for BCR fans. This is a book for music lovers, for 70s devotees, for all who want to look inside the world of a pop superstar's life, and for anyone who loves a good character study of strength within harsh times.
[A caveat: I do wish the editor had paid a slight bit more attention. I can ignore a few typos. All books have them. And yes, many of the spelling differences are US/UK variations, which I am not counting, of course. Still, this is a glorious story that deserved a bit better sharpening. My rating ignores that bit because the authors deserve the full 5 stars.]
This is not the first book I've read about the group. I've read several now. This one, in my opinion, is the best yet. Rest in peace, Alan. The music will keep playing...
So, yes, critics and jealous boys (sometimes one and the same, really) panned them way back when because of their image. Eh. I knew what I knew. They were an awfully good pop band.
I can't say how glad I am that Alan wrote this book, his story, but also the real story of the Bay City Rollers. The memoir/autobiography is so very Alan that you can almost hear him telling it as you read. It's not a nasty tell-all because that's not who he was. It's genuine. It's kind, even to those who may not quite deserve so much kindness. It's down-to-earth. It shows his bewilderment, sadness, humility, and, overall, his happiness. It shows the harsh and often sadistic underbelly of the music world. But overall, it shines through with his gentlemen-like observance that his choices were his and although there were some he wish he hadn't made, he lived a satisfying and productive life, leaving behind quite the legacy.
This is not a book only for BCR fans. This is a book for music lovers, for 70s devotees, for all who want to look inside the world of a pop superstar's life, and for anyone who loves a good character study of strength within harsh times.
[A caveat: I do wish the editor had paid a slight bit more attention. I can ignore a few typos. All books have them. And yes, many of the spelling differences are US/UK variations, which I am not counting, of course. Still, this is a glorious story that deserved a bit better sharpening. My rating ignores that bit because the authors deserve the full 5 stars.]
This is not the first book I've read about the group. I've read several now. This one, in my opinion, is the best yet. Rest in peace, Alan. The music will keep playing...
April 3, 2019
'I Ran With The Gang: My Life In and Out of the Bay City Rollers' is the third book I have read recently about the Bay City Rollers.
I am not a particular fan of the Bay City Rollers though I have always had a soft spot for their classic singles, and I was a young teenager during the glory years of Rollermania.
The other two books about the Rollers that I've also read and reviewed are....
'When the Screaming Stops: The Dark History of the Bay City Rollers' by Simon Spence - Review here
'Bye Bye Baby: My Tragic Love Affair with The Bay City Rollers' by Caroline Sullivan - Review here
Both are well worth reading.
'I Ran With The Gang: My Life In and Out of the Bay City Rollers' is BCR founder member Alan Longmuir's account of his life. Alan was the oldest member of the group and seemingly the one least taken with life as a pop star. It's easy to forget just how massive the Rollers were. The band were one of the biggest of their era in Britain, and then across the world. Thy were also one of the few British teenybop bands to also achieve notable success in the USA. The Rollers were at their commercial peak between 1974 and 1977, and this era was characterised by a punishing work schedule and manager Tam Paton exerting a tight control on every aspect of the group's day-to-day life. Before long Alan wanted out, expecting to be the recipient of a considerable sum of money. Needless to say things didn't quite work out that way.
Alan Longmuir's own life had numerous ups and downs however Alan's apparently easy going nature and innate humility seem to have served him well. Sadly, whilst finishing these memoirs in 2018, Alan Longmuir became ill and died soon after. This book, which was ghost written by Martin Knight, is another worthwhile addition to the Rollers bibliography and provides a good natured insider's view of life in the madness that was Rollermania, and the perils of getting what you wish for.
3/5
I am not a particular fan of the Bay City Rollers though I have always had a soft spot for their classic singles, and I was a young teenager during the glory years of Rollermania.
The other two books about the Rollers that I've also read and reviewed are....
'When the Screaming Stops: The Dark History of the Bay City Rollers' by Simon Spence - Review here
'Bye Bye Baby: My Tragic Love Affair with The Bay City Rollers' by Caroline Sullivan - Review here
Both are well worth reading.
'I Ran With The Gang: My Life In and Out of the Bay City Rollers' is BCR founder member Alan Longmuir's account of his life. Alan was the oldest member of the group and seemingly the one least taken with life as a pop star. It's easy to forget just how massive the Rollers were. The band were one of the biggest of their era in Britain, and then across the world. Thy were also one of the few British teenybop bands to also achieve notable success in the USA. The Rollers were at their commercial peak between 1974 and 1977, and this era was characterised by a punishing work schedule and manager Tam Paton exerting a tight control on every aspect of the group's day-to-day life. Before long Alan wanted out, expecting to be the recipient of a considerable sum of money. Needless to say things didn't quite work out that way.
Alan Longmuir's own life had numerous ups and downs however Alan's apparently easy going nature and innate humility seem to have served him well. Sadly, whilst finishing these memoirs in 2018, Alan Longmuir became ill and died soon after. This book, which was ghost written by Martin Knight, is another worthwhile addition to the Rollers bibliography and provides a good natured insider's view of life in the madness that was Rollermania, and the perils of getting what you wish for.
3/5
January 22, 2019
Alan Longmuir’s autobiography dealing with his life and his time in the seminal boy band, The Bay City Rollers is an interesting novel that chronicles the good and bad of pop stardom and its many pitfalls.
Longmuir is a person that everyone states as lovely and very kind and it is very evident in his autobiography. He doesn’t really dish any dirt but looks at his time through a kind hearted veneer that shows how much of a credit he is as a human beyond anything else. He is very humble and seems surprised of his success. He considers himself a plumber in the first instance and a pop sensation as the later. His views of the world are innocent but he is never truly naïve. He comes across as the glue that held things together and unfortunately, it seems that he was highly taken advantage of but he is never bitter.
The book is very informative and gives an insider view on the birth of a pop sensation and its eventual demise. It also gives the financial implications of how the world assumes that the pop star becomes wealthy but the reality is far from the truth. The story is very well documented and although I am vaguely aware of the group, I grew up in America and remember their two hits Saturday Night and I Only Want To Be With You and their NBC Saturday morning show, I really had no idea of the enormity of the group around the world or how big they were here in the UK.
It is also interesting how a new respect comes to a pop group long after their demise, hell look at Abba, once lambasted by the music press but now considered one of the best. It seems that music press tend to praise the pretentions of music but it are the ones that they do not praise that stand the test of time.
Sadly, Longmuir passed away before the release of the book and there is a loving epilogue added with Longmuir’s funeral. There is also an added bonus of people mentioned in the book and where they are now or if they passed on, how and when which is a really nice touch. It is sad that Longmuir was unable to see the release of this book but he left behind an excellent legacy to show you how special he really was.
Overall, this is a must read for anyone interested in 70’s pop and to read that not everyone involved in the music industry is horrible. Longmuir is pure class who gives you an inside look without trashing people to make a quick book. Elegantly written and a credit to the memory of a man who will forever live in the chronicles of pop music. A definite must read.
Longmuir is a person that everyone states as lovely and very kind and it is very evident in his autobiography. He doesn’t really dish any dirt but looks at his time through a kind hearted veneer that shows how much of a credit he is as a human beyond anything else. He is very humble and seems surprised of his success. He considers himself a plumber in the first instance and a pop sensation as the later. His views of the world are innocent but he is never truly naïve. He comes across as the glue that held things together and unfortunately, it seems that he was highly taken advantage of but he is never bitter.
The book is very informative and gives an insider view on the birth of a pop sensation and its eventual demise. It also gives the financial implications of how the world assumes that the pop star becomes wealthy but the reality is far from the truth. The story is very well documented and although I am vaguely aware of the group, I grew up in America and remember their two hits Saturday Night and I Only Want To Be With You and their NBC Saturday morning show, I really had no idea of the enormity of the group around the world or how big they were here in the UK.
It is also interesting how a new respect comes to a pop group long after their demise, hell look at Abba, once lambasted by the music press but now considered one of the best. It seems that music press tend to praise the pretentions of music but it are the ones that they do not praise that stand the test of time.
Sadly, Longmuir passed away before the release of the book and there is a loving epilogue added with Longmuir’s funeral. There is also an added bonus of people mentioned in the book and where they are now or if they passed on, how and when which is a really nice touch. It is sad that Longmuir was unable to see the release of this book but he left behind an excellent legacy to show you how special he really was.
Overall, this is a must read for anyone interested in 70’s pop and to read that not everyone involved in the music industry is horrible. Longmuir is pure class who gives you an inside look without trashing people to make a quick book. Elegantly written and a credit to the memory of a man who will forever live in the chronicles of pop music. A definite must read.
December 20, 2018
Loved reading Alan’s words describing his life as founder of the Bay City Rollers, as well as his personal life. Funny, heartwarming, happy, sad, insightful. A must read for BCR fans, and a nice memento of the idol we miss so much. ❤️
April 22, 2019
Looking for Roller revelations? Best keep looking. Alan Longmuir was one of the founding members of the Bay City Rollers, playing bass with younger brother Derek playing drums but here’s not just a shortage of kiss here, there’s not much tell either.
Longmuir sets out his stall at the start of the book - “I will not be dishing dirt, speculating, commenting or making any shocking revelations about the personal lives about any of my band colleagues. What happened or didn’t happen is their business and not for me to judge”. Not only has any debauchery been airbrushed out, there’s a general lack of substance, suggesting that Longmuir wanted to make money (nothing wrong with that), as easily as possible, leaving boats unrocked.
The early days of hard graft on the Scottish “chicken in a basket” circuit, building a fan base, hoping for the big time are an entertaining read. Unfortunately, once the Rollers become a teenage tartan cult and “Rollermania” becomes a thing, all the spectacular somehow becomes pedestrian. We learn almost nothing about the other band members – towards the end Longmuir makes reference to Stuart Wood having issues with him but without any further comment as to why. Longmuir explains how his role became that of peace maker in the group, and how wearing that was, but gives no examples of the type of conflict he faced.
He does address the issue of the Rollers being barely present on their first two albums, something that was routinely cited by critics as evidence of their musical irrelevance. His resentment at the suggestion that this meant that they were poor musicians is obvious. He makes clear that the years of live work the Rollers put in before they hit the big time are testimony to just the opposite. They had no studio experience and so it was quicker and cheaper to hire session guys. Fair enough. But in suggesting the Rollers were judged more harshly than other bands his argument falters. Citing Billy Preston’s contribution to The Beatles as evidence rather misses the point that the Beatles drafted in a keyboard player, not had Ringo’s drums and Paul’s bass played by ringers. That said, Longmuir position is reasonably stated – which is more that can be said for co-writer Martin Knight’s histrionic introduction, which paints the Rollers as victims “intense musical snobbery” and “cultural bullying”. Apparently, people only owned “Tarkus” as a fashion statement and secretly listened to “Tiger Feet”. Resented for their appeal to millions of teenage girls? Yes, clearly. Unappreciated musical geniuses? Hardly.
Longmuir digs deeper – in part - when discussing late manager Tam Paton. Paton’s manipulation of the band’s image and finances are a recurring theme and Longmuir gives numerous examples of Paton’s duplicity, Longmuir had suspicions, but didn’t know how to do anything about it. His reticence returns when considering Paton’s sexuality, and although he mentions that Paton made advances to him once – he told Paton firmly where to go and was never bothered again. But there’s no reference to the allegations (unproven and never tried in court) made by former Rollers Pat McGlynn and Les McKeown that Paton assaulted them. In a similar vein Paton’s introduction of the band to Jonathan King and Chris Denning garners just a throwaway line about being relieved to read in King’s autobiography that the King didn’t fancy them Longmuir offers no other comment, and no reflections on being the sort of eye candy that Paton obviously liked to use them as.
His later life is set out at considerable pace. Marriages come and go as do heart attacks and even homelessness. We get an insight to his financial hardship and the pleasure he took in getting back to the simple things in life – the outdoors, his mates in the pub. He comes across as a down to earth, stoical guy who having been briefly sprinkled in stardust came to really appreciate friends and family having otherwise been treated very badly by the music business. Sadly, Longmuir died aged 70 just before the book was published. This may have been the book he wanted to write, but I can’t help but think that a lot of the story remains untold.
Longmuir sets out his stall at the start of the book - “I will not be dishing dirt, speculating, commenting or making any shocking revelations about the personal lives about any of my band colleagues. What happened or didn’t happen is their business and not for me to judge”. Not only has any debauchery been airbrushed out, there’s a general lack of substance, suggesting that Longmuir wanted to make money (nothing wrong with that), as easily as possible, leaving boats unrocked.
The early days of hard graft on the Scottish “chicken in a basket” circuit, building a fan base, hoping for the big time are an entertaining read. Unfortunately, once the Rollers become a teenage tartan cult and “Rollermania” becomes a thing, all the spectacular somehow becomes pedestrian. We learn almost nothing about the other band members – towards the end Longmuir makes reference to Stuart Wood having issues with him but without any further comment as to why. Longmuir explains how his role became that of peace maker in the group, and how wearing that was, but gives no examples of the type of conflict he faced.
He does address the issue of the Rollers being barely present on their first two albums, something that was routinely cited by critics as evidence of their musical irrelevance. His resentment at the suggestion that this meant that they were poor musicians is obvious. He makes clear that the years of live work the Rollers put in before they hit the big time are testimony to just the opposite. They had no studio experience and so it was quicker and cheaper to hire session guys. Fair enough. But in suggesting the Rollers were judged more harshly than other bands his argument falters. Citing Billy Preston’s contribution to The Beatles as evidence rather misses the point that the Beatles drafted in a keyboard player, not had Ringo’s drums and Paul’s bass played by ringers. That said, Longmuir position is reasonably stated – which is more that can be said for co-writer Martin Knight’s histrionic introduction, which paints the Rollers as victims “intense musical snobbery” and “cultural bullying”. Apparently, people only owned “Tarkus” as a fashion statement and secretly listened to “Tiger Feet”. Resented for their appeal to millions of teenage girls? Yes, clearly. Unappreciated musical geniuses? Hardly.
Longmuir digs deeper – in part - when discussing late manager Tam Paton. Paton’s manipulation of the band’s image and finances are a recurring theme and Longmuir gives numerous examples of Paton’s duplicity, Longmuir had suspicions, but didn’t know how to do anything about it. His reticence returns when considering Paton’s sexuality, and although he mentions that Paton made advances to him once – he told Paton firmly where to go and was never bothered again. But there’s no reference to the allegations (unproven and never tried in court) made by former Rollers Pat McGlynn and Les McKeown that Paton assaulted them. In a similar vein Paton’s introduction of the band to Jonathan King and Chris Denning garners just a throwaway line about being relieved to read in King’s autobiography that the King didn’t fancy them Longmuir offers no other comment, and no reflections on being the sort of eye candy that Paton obviously liked to use them as.
His later life is set out at considerable pace. Marriages come and go as do heart attacks and even homelessness. We get an insight to his financial hardship and the pleasure he took in getting back to the simple things in life – the outdoors, his mates in the pub. He comes across as a down to earth, stoical guy who having been briefly sprinkled in stardust came to really appreciate friends and family having otherwise been treated very badly by the music business. Sadly, Longmuir died aged 70 just before the book was published. This may have been the book he wanted to write, but I can’t help but think that a lot of the story remains untold.
December 18, 2018
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
a must for any bay city roller fan...an indepth look at alan longmuir life through his eye...there are no words said in bitterness just his own words on his life and times...
it also takes you back in time to those wonderful 70s days of glam rock and flares and the teenybopper times of that era...it was lovely to go back and see his world and what he experienced even to the house he grew up in without a bath and a room he shared...those long ago days of a time that we forget....
there are no bitter revelations just a simple man telling his story his way...a great trip down memory lane
a must for any bay city roller fan...an indepth look at alan longmuir life through his eye...there are no words said in bitterness just his own words on his life and times...
it also takes you back in time to those wonderful 70s days of glam rock and flares and the teenybopper times of that era...it was lovely to go back and see his world and what he experienced even to the house he grew up in without a bath and a room he shared...those long ago days of a time that we forget....
there are no bitter revelations just a simple man telling his story his way...a great trip down memory lane
February 2, 2021
Absolute gem, I cried at the end! As a child I was a BCR fan and Alan was my favourite, reading this I'm struck by what a genuine good man he was in every way, this book is heartfelt, genuine, fascinating and very touching. What a life, I really loved it and will I'm sure read it again, a really beautiful book, his appreciation and genuine affection for his fans is heartfelt and lovely, rest in peace Alan xx
August 19, 2019
I was looking for something light to read on the plane as I travelled to visit my parents a few weeks ago. Maybe I was feeling a bit nostalgic at the idea of heading "home," with its memories of the past, but I wound up picking "I Ran With The Gang: My Life In and Out of the Bay City Rollers" by Alan Longmuir with Martin Knight. I finished it after we reached our destination, later that night. :) Coincidentally, as I read, I realized it was exactly one year & one day since Alan's funeral.
It's not a long book, and it's padded with other material, including an introduction from the ghostwriter explaining how he came to write the book with Alan, a vintage 1975 story from Melody Maker about the Rollers at the height of their fame in Britain, and an afterword by Liam Rudden, the author of "And I Ran With the Gang," the autobiographical show about Alan's life and the Bay City Rollers that was performed for several years at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh and other cities.
There are no huge revelations here, nor much dirt being dished. Alan glosses over his reported suicide attempt as untrue and a story fabricated by their manager, Tam Paton; as well as his brother Derek's arrest on child pornography charges (the photos belonged to a friend). He does admit to having had a drinking problem. He says he can't speak for the other members of the band, but says that while Paton was indeed something of a bully and a dictator -- "a good man gone bad" -- he only ever put the moves on him once (a hand on the knee while they were in a car together). Alan told him to "f*** off" and that was the end of that.
I will admit to reaching for the Kleenex a couple of times, particularly in the spots where Alan expresses his hopes for the future -- a better relationship with his son, for one. After years of legal battles with their record company & business managers, the Rollers did eventually receive a (small) financial settlement recently. "Now... a blockage has been cleared and royalties should flow, which is something," Alan says, towards the book's end.
(sniffle)
There was also this:
He's gone now -- far too soon, at the age of 70. I'm very sad that reunion will never happen (although -- to the other guys -- it's never too late...!). But I got the feeling he was a happy man when he died -- that he had made peace with his past -- and I am glad for that. I am also glad he was persuaded to tell his story for the Fringe Festival play and to write this book. It brought back a lot of fond memories. :)
It's not a long book, and it's padded with other material, including an introduction from the ghostwriter explaining how he came to write the book with Alan, a vintage 1975 story from Melody Maker about the Rollers at the height of their fame in Britain, and an afterword by Liam Rudden, the author of "And I Ran With the Gang," the autobiographical show about Alan's life and the Bay City Rollers that was performed for several years at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh and other cities.
There are no huge revelations here, nor much dirt being dished. Alan glosses over his reported suicide attempt as untrue and a story fabricated by their manager, Tam Paton; as well as his brother Derek's arrest on child pornography charges (the photos belonged to a friend). He does admit to having had a drinking problem. He says he can't speak for the other members of the band, but says that while Paton was indeed something of a bully and a dictator -- "a good man gone bad" -- he only ever put the moves on him once (a hand on the knee while they were in a car together). Alan told him to "f*** off" and that was the end of that.
I will admit to reaching for the Kleenex a couple of times, particularly in the spots where Alan expresses his hopes for the future -- a better relationship with his son, for one. After years of legal battles with their record company & business managers, the Rollers did eventually receive a (small) financial settlement recently. "Now... a blockage has been cleared and royalties should flow, which is something," Alan says, towards the book's end.
"I'm hoping someone will make new blockbuster film called Bye Bye Baby and use all our songs as the soundtrack. Hopefully, long, long after I've gone, a cheque will drop every six months through the front doors of my loved ones. It might not be much. But they might think 'Good old Alan. He's got us a pint or two there.'"
(sniffle)
There was also this:
"...my twilight years are proving to be a voyage of joyous discovery. It would be the icing on this wonderful cake if us creaking old Rollers could lay our ghosts to rest, rise above all the old rubbish and come together one last time, and not let the music die. That would delight me. After all, we are not getting any younger and one of us will be the first to go, and statistically that's me!"
He's gone now -- far too soon, at the age of 70. I'm very sad that reunion will never happen (although -- to the other guys -- it's never too late...!). But I got the feeling he was a happy man when he died -- that he had made peace with his past -- and I am glad for that. I am also glad he was persuaded to tell his story for the Fringe Festival play and to write this book. It brought back a lot of fond memories. :)
October 25, 2019
As a child I used to run around in my baseball boots with tartan scarves tied to each wrist, belting out songs from The Bay City Rollers, so when I saw that Alan had his memoirs "out there'' I just knew I needed to read this book by one of my childhood heroes.
It is a very good book and insight of behind the scenes of the band. Well written and a must for any Rollers fan
It is a very good book and insight of behind the scenes of the band. Well written and a must for any Rollers fan
January 30, 2019
This a must for any Bay City Rollers fans. I enjoyed the trip back to my teenage years. Alan seemed to be a humble, kind man. The book was well written. No scandals or infighting, how refreshing! I always hate to know when a favorite band tells all and we find out they hated one another.
January 11, 2019
Right upfront, Alan Longmuir, co-founder of the Bay City Rollers tells the reader that there will be no scandal in this book. He also says that he is only speaking on his own experiences and, for the most part, he stuck by these two comments really well. Which means he is ethical but it also gives for a fairly vanilla memoir.
I rated this book 4 stars because it is a thoughtfully written book by a man who appears to be, by all accounts, humble, quiet and kind. But this book could really have used a little bit more oomph because it is a tad boring.
Longmuir goes into a somewhat long explanation on his growing up years. I think he could have cut it down by 30% - conversely, he should have added 30% more on The Bay City Rollers).
Of course, we are mostly reading this book to find out about Alan's experiences with the band. Alan, similarly to the book written by Les several years ago, does not give us enough "on the road experiences" to help us get a good feel of it was for the boys at that time. Alan generalizes A LOT and while drooling a little over Olivia Newton John and Ann Margaret, we don't get much else. I would have loved to hear the thought process before a show, after a show. How did he feel about the fans? what funny and not so funny events happened on the road? There is none of that in this book.
One thing this book did well though was spell out Alan's feelings about the other guys in the band and how the Bay City Rollers are and have always been their own worst enemy. Alan comments on this and even basically says "its time to grow up and stop the petty fights". Unfortunately, neither the Bay City Rollers nor the fans ever got to this place - made even sadder by the fact that only Nobby Clarke and Les' wife made it to Alan's funeral (Les was touring in Australia). Even at the end, the BCR could not put their petty differences to go to Alan's funeral, the man who created the band in the first place.
On a more positive note, the writing is great! Down to earth and a breeze to read. The book is very short with just a little over 220 pages.
Yet, I can't say that I really have a much better idea of who Alan really was.
RIP Alan Longmuir, you and the BCR defined my youth. Thanks to you and the BCR, I spent countless hours listening to your music, countless daydreams thinking about how wonderful you all were and most importantly countless days being a star struck teenager, who had no idea the horrors that you were all living while I was screaming out "THE ROLLERSSSSS"
I rated this book 4 stars because it is a thoughtfully written book by a man who appears to be, by all accounts, humble, quiet and kind. But this book could really have used a little bit more oomph because it is a tad boring.
Longmuir goes into a somewhat long explanation on his growing up years. I think he could have cut it down by 30% - conversely, he should have added 30% more on The Bay City Rollers).
Of course, we are mostly reading this book to find out about Alan's experiences with the band. Alan, similarly to the book written by Les several years ago, does not give us enough "on the road experiences" to help us get a good feel of it was for the boys at that time. Alan generalizes A LOT and while drooling a little over Olivia Newton John and Ann Margaret, we don't get much else. I would have loved to hear the thought process before a show, after a show. How did he feel about the fans? what funny and not so funny events happened on the road? There is none of that in this book.
One thing this book did well though was spell out Alan's feelings about the other guys in the band and how the Bay City Rollers are and have always been their own worst enemy. Alan comments on this and even basically says "its time to grow up and stop the petty fights". Unfortunately, neither the Bay City Rollers nor the fans ever got to this place - made even sadder by the fact that only Nobby Clarke and Les' wife made it to Alan's funeral (Les was touring in Australia). Even at the end, the BCR could not put their petty differences to go to Alan's funeral, the man who created the band in the first place.
On a more positive note, the writing is great! Down to earth and a breeze to read. The book is very short with just a little over 220 pages.
Yet, I can't say that I really have a much better idea of who Alan really was.
RIP Alan Longmuir, you and the BCR defined my youth. Thanks to you and the BCR, I spent countless hours listening to your music, countless daydreams thinking about how wonderful you all were and most importantly countless days being a star struck teenager, who had no idea the horrors that you were all living while I was screaming out "THE ROLLERSSSSS"
February 5, 2024
I was a young lass when the Bay City Rollers invaded the shores of the US, my walls were covered with pictures of the Scottish lads with the short tartan trimmed pants and tufty hair and I remained a fan for many years until Duncan Faure took over as lead singer and I hit high school.
Flash forward to 2016 when I was inspired to take a trip to the UK to see two of my favorite bands from the 1970s on a double bill, The Sweet and the Bay City Rollers! What a blast that was, reliving my youth with a room full of like minded fans with not one, not two but three of the classic lineup, Alan, Woody and Les. I saw them several times in the years since, sometimes just Woody, sometimes just Les and even though it was sad that they could no longer share the stage, there was always a little magic.
I saw Alan's show And I Ran With the Gang at the Edinburgh Fringe and I was bowled over at his humbleness, alternately amused and saddened at the stories from back in the day. He was gracious and warm as he sounds in this memoir, he posed for photos, chatted with fans and signed autographs.
It's hard to know if his memoir would appeal to someone who hadn't experienced a bit of Rollermania but as a fan, not former fan but unashamedly current fan, this was a lovely read about the years before and after they invaded the US. No grand standing, no band bashing (except for the well deserved parts about Tam Paton), just a lovely recounting of his days in the band, not unlike sitting with him at his local having a chat.
Flash forward to 2016 when I was inspired to take a trip to the UK to see two of my favorite bands from the 1970s on a double bill, The Sweet and the Bay City Rollers! What a blast that was, reliving my youth with a room full of like minded fans with not one, not two but three of the classic lineup, Alan, Woody and Les. I saw them several times in the years since, sometimes just Woody, sometimes just Les and even though it was sad that they could no longer share the stage, there was always a little magic.
I saw Alan's show And I Ran With the Gang at the Edinburgh Fringe and I was bowled over at his humbleness, alternately amused and saddened at the stories from back in the day. He was gracious and warm as he sounds in this memoir, he posed for photos, chatted with fans and signed autographs.
It's hard to know if his memoir would appeal to someone who hadn't experienced a bit of Rollermania but as a fan, not former fan but unashamedly current fan, this was a lovely read about the years before and after they invaded the US. No grand standing, no band bashing (except for the well deserved parts about Tam Paton), just a lovely recounting of his days in the band, not unlike sitting with him at his local having a chat.
May 1, 2019
A nostalgic read that takes the reader right back to the beginning. From the early days, the struggles and line-up changes before they became the band that had teenage hearts pounding worldwide right the way through to the latest attempts to get back together.
The non-stop touring, the madness, the drugs, the arguments, the depression 'I Ran With The Gang' isn't a 'dishing the dirt tell-all', its an account by someone who was there from the start. This book has a tone of sincerity about it, they were ripped off, they made some bad decisions and Alan wasn't ashamed to admit that they weren't perfect. His account as told to the author, Martin Knight .comes across with honesty and an endearing ability to laugh at himself.
One quote really struck me, later on in the book when he spoke of tensions between the band
"But of course, we are the Bay City Rollers and when we see a good thing we know how to ruin it"
I loved this book, it brought back memories. What they did was incredible, a whole generation of teenagers fell in love with them and their music. That loyalty still lives on and those fans still support them to this day
♫♫ The band began to play
And we'd begin to sway, remember ♫♫
Oh we remember alright, a whole generation of us will never forget!
Thank you to the publisher Luath Press and NetGalley for the review copy, all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
The non-stop touring, the madness, the drugs, the arguments, the depression 'I Ran With The Gang' isn't a 'dishing the dirt tell-all', its an account by someone who was there from the start. This book has a tone of sincerity about it, they were ripped off, they made some bad decisions and Alan wasn't ashamed to admit that they weren't perfect. His account as told to the author, Martin Knight .comes across with honesty and an endearing ability to laugh at himself.
One quote really struck me, later on in the book when he spoke of tensions between the band
"But of course, we are the Bay City Rollers and when we see a good thing we know how to ruin it"
I loved this book, it brought back memories. What they did was incredible, a whole generation of teenagers fell in love with them and their music. That loyalty still lives on and those fans still support them to this day
♫♫ The band began to play
And we'd begin to sway, remember ♫♫
Oh we remember alright, a whole generation of us will never forget!
Thank you to the publisher Luath Press and NetGalley for the review copy, all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
January 24, 2019
Sad story I've read or heard about too many times. I wasn't a fan, but recall hearing about the band way back in my teens. Never heard any of their music either. Was it played on FM radio?? Maybe it was a AM thing. Ah, well.. I saw this on Netgalley and as I find reading rock stars autobios intriguing, downloaded this one. It's actually better than many I've read. It made sense and didn't ramble around drunkenly or sound like it was written by some arrogant pinhead. Maybe publishers, editors should have second thoughts before asking these folks to write their memoirs. Most aren't worth reading. Especially the top tier rock stars- lots of hot air there.... Anyway, Alan Longmuir seems like he was a nice level headed gentleman , who pretty much got screwed. It is an interesting story to read about he formed the BCR and their life while the band lasted and it's aftermath. Actually felt bad for them being ripped off so badly by management. Sad , but frequent story. Sad, too that he died before the book was released.
I received a Kindle ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
I received a Kindle ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
January 4, 2019
Being a lifelong Bay City Rollers fan, I among many were devastated by the passing of Alan Longmuir last summer. Thankfully he had written his life story for the fans to hold onto. This is a heartfelt, beautiful, wonderful story of a man who just wanted to be a Rock n Roller and did the dream. He wrote with passion, simplicity, heart, compassion and truth and honesty. He could have slammed the people who hurt him, who destroyed his dream but he didn't. Alan was always a man who dreamed a dream and his dream came true. He was more than just a Roller. He was a loving, kind, authentic man with a heart of gold for his fans. This is a tribute to a true gentleman who sadly is no longer here but his story will continue to hold the places in our hearts and he wrote from his. Alan wasn't perfect in his eyes, but to us, the fans he was. This life story should be read by every "celebrity" on how truly to live your life without slamming the people who hurt you and to be a simple man that was and is loved by millions. Don't Let the Music Die!
January 25, 2019
Alan Longmuir was very likable and this was a very readable musician memoir. It's not a raunchy one, either, but there is a morality matter that keeps me from rating it higher. The man who managed the Bay City Rollers and pushed them up to stardom was a pervert who preyed on underage boys. Alan Longmuir claimed he knew nothing about that, even though there were some obvious signs. He ultimately saw his manager as a good guy gone bad. Well, no, if he sexually abused boys, he was a bad guy, period.
Mr. Longmuir's own brother, who was a member of the group, would later in life be convicted of possessing child pornography. He proposes his brother was not guilty, and even pointed out that his brother had become a nurse after leaving the group, as if that meant there was no way he could be guilty. This was all very disturbing and made me wonder if Alan Longmuir actually knew a lot more about those two matters than he stated.
(Note: I received a free e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher.)
Mr. Longmuir's own brother, who was a member of the group, would later in life be convicted of possessing child pornography. He proposes his brother was not guilty, and even pointed out that his brother had become a nurse after leaving the group, as if that meant there was no way he could be guilty. This was all very disturbing and made me wonder if Alan Longmuir actually knew a lot more about those two matters than he stated.
(Note: I received a free e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher.)
December 15, 2019
I may be a little biased about this book as I was a "HUGE" Alan Longmuir fan, but this book is terrific. If I was allowed to give it more stars, it would be many more. Alan comes across as a really decent, humane person, with a fantastic sense of humour. He Doesn't " bad mouth" anybody, even though with certain people who had an involvement in the band they thoroughly deserved it!
His fantastic sense of humour shines throughout the book, my favourite being the story about Gary Glitter taking the wrong steps to the stage (I wont spoil it by telling the story) and the disastrous appearance at Mallory Park, involving the Wombles. I laughed so much I woke Hubby up, every night whilst reading this excellent book.
His respect for Bay City Roller fans is immense. Unlike many popstars that tend to forget when they get hounded by fans, that it IS actually the fans that put them where they are.
It's an easy read and Bay City Roller fans will be filled with wonderful nostalgic memories. It is so sad that he is no longer around to read this review, bless his heart. What a wonderful man.
His fantastic sense of humour shines throughout the book, my favourite being the story about Gary Glitter taking the wrong steps to the stage (I wont spoil it by telling the story) and the disastrous appearance at Mallory Park, involving the Wombles. I laughed so much I woke Hubby up, every night whilst reading this excellent book.
His respect for Bay City Roller fans is immense. Unlike many popstars that tend to forget when they get hounded by fans, that it IS actually the fans that put them where they are.
It's an easy read and Bay City Roller fans will be filled with wonderful nostalgic memories. It is so sad that he is no longer around to read this review, bless his heart. What a wonderful man.
April 11, 2019
I Ran With The Gang:My Life In & Out of the Bay City Rollers
by Alan Longmuir & Martin Knight
2018
Luath Press, Edinburgh
4.5 / 5
Alan Longmuirś autobiography shares the best and worst experiences he had on his rise to stardom with the 70ś band, Bay City Rollers. Alanś kindness and humble nature shine through, his approach to life with humor and light is refreshing. All he was put through, he never became bitter or vindictive,
Well-written and informative, this is an insiders look into the heart and soul of a pop sensation. Unfortunately, Alan passed away before this could be published.
Amusing and introspective, I recommend this.
Thanks to Luath Press and the authors for sharing this e-book ARC for review.
#IranWithTheGang #NetGalley
by Alan Longmuir & Martin Knight
2018
Luath Press, Edinburgh
4.5 / 5
Alan Longmuirś autobiography shares the best and worst experiences he had on his rise to stardom with the 70ś band, Bay City Rollers. Alanś kindness and humble nature shine through, his approach to life with humor and light is refreshing. All he was put through, he never became bitter or vindictive,
Well-written and informative, this is an insiders look into the heart and soul of a pop sensation. Unfortunately, Alan passed away before this could be published.
Amusing and introspective, I recommend this.
Thanks to Luath Press and the authors for sharing this e-book ARC for review.
#IranWithTheGang #NetGalley
October 11, 2021
Having been a fan of the band for a great many years, I was excited to read Alan's book. The one thing I came away from having read it is that Mr. Longmuir has not one bad thing to say about anyone arbitrarily. If he truly disliked someone, he said so, and not without great thought. But this is NOT a "juicy, tell-all" style book so if that's the kind of thing you're looking for, this book isn't for you. Still... you do get some insight into what he experienced from his own point of view and what he can remember and it's still an interesting read. I enjoyed his story and though he has sadly passed away, I feel this was about as accurate a story as any can be told. It wasn't dirty or smut-filled. It was simply honest.
June 7, 2021
The memories came flooding back as I was reading this book! I was a BCR's fan, but I never saw them live when they toured NZ in 1976. I was only 13 and didn't have the money to buy a ticket - plus my Mum probably wouldn't have let me go! But Alan was always my favourite. I remember devouring any articles and pictures in teen magazines. I loved reading Alan's story, which gave me a good insight of exactly what went on behind the scenes. Thoughtfully written, in Alan's humble style, right back to the beginning when he first came up with the idea of starting a band. I actually didn't know Alan had passed away until the end of the book, so that was a shock.
July 13, 2019
During my early teen years, the Bay City Rollers were a household name, an international phenomenon!
This autobiography of founding member, Alan Longmuir, fills in the blanks of where they started, and all that happened on their journey. The book also explains much unfair management of this young and talented band.
This autobiography of founding member, Alan Longmuir, fills in the blanks of where they started, and all that happened on their journey. The book also explains much unfair management of this young and talented band.
March 8, 2020
Okay so this is a review from the perspective of an old fan, but this book feels like a very genuine read (much more so than some of the other literature about the band). Having recently read When the Screaming Stops, this was a soothing antidote from the opposite and more positive perspective. It was also an easy read.
November 29, 2019
Fell in Love with the Bay City Rollers all Over Again
Alan comes across as witty, kind, and someone I wish I'd known. What a loss to the pop music world.
Alan comes across as witty, kind, and someone I wish I'd known. What a loss to the pop music world.
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