Unreleased Bay City Rollers EP donated to memorial bench fundraiser

Previously unreleased songs from Scottish pop icons the Bay City Rollers have been donated to help raise money for two memorial benches.

The Edinburgh boyband shot to global fame in the 1970s, selling a total of 120 million records worldwide.

At the peak of their popularity, the tartan-clad pop group consisted of Eric Faulkner and Stuart Wood, singer Les McKeown, bassist Alan Longmuir, and drummer Derek Longmuir.

A fan group is currently raising funds for two memorial benches in Prince’s Street Gardens dedicated to frontman Les McKeown, who died in 2021, and Alan Longmuir, who died in July 2018.

Stage items worn by the singer were up for auction with the aim of raising the £10,090 needed to pay for the benches.

The tartan-clad band’s principal songwriter and guitarist, Eric Faulkner, has since discovered rare demos and songs from the 1970s on well-preserved cassette tapes.

They have been compiled into an EP called Starts in Your Eyes and donated to the fan-led fundraiser.

Organiser Gail Shackley said: “Bay City Roller’s principal songwriter and guitarist, Eric Faulkner, has uncovered some rare demos from the 1970’s and has donated these songs as an EP and made it available to anyone who donates £20 towards the GoFundMe Campaign.

“This has been an amazing incentive, and the campaign is nearly at its goal.

“These songs are probably the biggest thing to happen in the Bay City Rollers fan community in over 40 years.”

Those wishing to listen to the unheard Bay City Roller’s tunes can find out more here.