OK, first up, I refuse to answer any questions about why I was watching the Bay City Rollers on YouTube in the first place, however, I did find this gem of a clip, featuring guitarist Stuart "Woody" Wood on a Ruby 620
I recently acquired a book called "Bubblegum: The History of Plastic Pop" from Edward R. Hamilton books in Falls Village, CT (mostly remainders) and there is a good section on the rise and fall of the BCR's.
It is a good read in general.
"Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect." Vince Lombardi
I can't believe I am going to do this in public but.....
Over the years three members (Woody, Les, and Alan) of BCR played Rics. 4001's in several colors, MG, JG, and that BG. 610's and 620's in BG and FG(6's and 12's).
Todd, I understand how you feel. No need to be ashamed
In fact, your post has prompted me to share a secret I have never revealed before. When I write my signature the "D" in "Darren" it's the same style as the "D" in Derek Longmuir's signature. I once thought the BCR drummer was pretty cool - long before his more recent "troubles".
There are two quotes from that book (only $5 U.S.) I mentioned that I *have* to relate.
Near a photo "Clean-living boys? Not a chance. Behind the scenes, The Bay City Rollers consumed industrial quantities of booze, drugs, and groupies."
This last quote of their section in the book from page 64 is even better (the book was written with a nice sense of humor obviously): "In 1992, Faulkner announced he was going to reform the Rollers - but the ill-conceived plan was magnificently sabotaged when their instruments were stolen by an unemployed musician who later claimed he had done it 'to save the world from The Bay City Rollers'."
"Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect." Vince Lombardi
I don't think his ploy to save the world from the Bay City Rollers worked for long. In the late 90s, there were TWO versions of the Rollers out on tour, and were trying to sue each other over who was really legally entitled to the name. VH1 did a Behind The Music on them around that time and it was interesting, to say the least.
Just when you think you have left the past far behind you someone goes and brings it back up again.. I made it through the 70's with my reputation in tact... lets keep it that way guys.
May you always work like you don't need money;
May you always love like you've never been hurt;
and may you always dance like there's nobody watching.
Jack Canfield
That"s it!! Darren...you've made my mind up.
I'm going to get Dale to refinish my 73 4001 in Ruby Red!
There's no more discussing it. I've made the decision. Just think.....
That CB binding next to that Ruby red....And those FWMOP inlays!
It has to be done! No question! I'm calling Dale right now!
No apologies here for the cringe factor - I was 11 in 1976, and the BCR were my idea of power pop, all the girls in my grade 6 class were nuts about them, and my family background is Scottish from Edinburgh originally... I am not ashamed to admit I bought a CD a few years back... Can't say that it is the top of my playlist, but I do have a couple of songs by them on my I-pod.
I am not saying that they had 1/10th the talent of the Beatles, to which they were endlessly compared to in the 70's. But they were not as bad as they are remembered. Hey they have the same taste in RIC's that I do, so they at least appreciated a decent guitar.
I never forgot George Martin's comments on the back of the Beatles HOLLYWOOD BOWL lp. His daughter in 1977 was nuts about them.
My sister was REALLY into them....and while I was playing my Who and Doors albums (given to me BY HER because she hated that sort of thing), thru her bedroom wall, all I could hear was "S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y- NIGHT!" and wondering if we might not be related at all.
"They make great f***'n basses". - Lemmy, NAMM 2009