Behind The Music Season 3 Episode 3 Bay City Rollers
- August 15, 1999
The third episode of season 3 of Behind The Music features the rise and fall of Scottish pop rock band, Bay City Rollers. The episode delves into the band's early beginnings in Edinburgh, Scotland in the late 1960s, where three of its members - Alan Longmuir, Derek Longmuir, and Neil Portnow - started playing music together. Eventually, they added lead singer Les McKeown and guitarists Eric Faulkner and Stuart Wood, and the Bay City Rollers were born.
The episode explores how the band quickly gained popularity in the UK in the mid-1970s with their catchy tunes and tartan outfits. "Saturday Night" became their breakthrough hit, and they soon became teen idols, with thousands of fans lining up to see them perform. The episode also highlights the impact the band had on their young fans, who saw them as more than just a boy band - they were a symbol of rebellion and independence.
Behind The Music also takes a closer look at the difficulties the band faced behind the scenes, including conflicts with their manager Tam Paton, who was later revealed to have been convicted of sexual assault. The band members also struggled with substance abuse, with some turning to drugs and alcohol to cope with the demands of fame.
As the episode progresses, the Bay City Rollers' popularity begins to wane, and their music falls out of favor. The band tried to reinvent themselves with a new sound, but their efforts were unsuccessful, and they eventually disbanded in 1981. The episode also touches on the band members' struggles after the breakup, including legal battles and financial troubles.
Overall, the Bay City Rollers episode of Behind The Music offers an in-depth look at a band that was a cultural phenomenon in its time and explores how fame can both propel and destroy a musical career.