Bay City Rollers star Ian Mitchell dies as band say they are ‘deeply saddened’ at his death
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Former Bay City Rollers band member Ian Mitchell has died at the age of 62.
Ian joined the band in 1976, aged 17, replacing bassist Alan Longmuir – but left after seven months with the Scots group, dubbed as ‘tartan teen sensations’.
However the musician made a lasting impact with the band, with whom he recorded the hit cover ‘I Only Want to be With You’.
The official Bay City Rollers Facebook page released a statement announcing his death this morning.
It said: ‘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. Rest In Peace, Ian.’
Ian Mitchell (pictured in 1976) joined the band, aged 17, replacing bassist Alan Longmuir – but left after seven months with the Scots group, dubbed as ‘tartan teen sensations’.
The Bay City Rollers with Derek Longmuir (L) pictured with other band members (2L-R) Alan Longmuir, Les McKeown (back), Ian Mitchell and Stewart Wood
He made a lasting impact with the Bay City Rollers, having recorded famous cover ‘I Only Want to be With You during his short spell with the band
The Bay City Rollers posted this nostalgic picture of Ian on the band’s Facebook page today
Ian, from Northern Ireland, was the first person to join the band from outside of their hometown of Edinburgh.
While with the Bay City Rollers Ian recorded one album, Dedication, in 1976, and had a hit cover of the Dusty Springfield song ‘I Only Want to be With You.’
The track reached number 12 on the US charts.
He also earned a mention in Friends in a 2001 episode when Monica and Chandler get engaged.
In it, Monica, played by Courteney Cox, says: ‘I want a string quartet for the processional, a jazz trio for cocktails and The Bay City Rollers for dancing.’
Chandler, played by Matthew Perry, then responds: ‘You couldn’t get The Rollers anyway as Ian doesn’t play any more.’
He left in late 1976 as the band’s popularity began to dwindle and was replaced by guitarist Pat McGlynn.
Mitchell later blamed infighting in the band for his decision to leave. He said: ‘I had to get out before I put my head in the gas oven.’
The star went on to form the band Rosetta Stone.
Backed by the Bay City Rollers’ manager Tom Patron, the Northern Irish band had successful tours of Japan and Thailand had three singles, including a covers of 1960s Cream song, ‘Sunshine of Your Love’.
But the band were much less successful back at home and in the United States. They signed with Private Stock Records and released their first album, Rock Pictures, in May 1978 to little success.
Mitchell later quit in 1979, before launching the Ian Mitchell Band in May 1979.
Again, the band toured Asia and parts of Europe to much success, but found little recognition in the UK, reportedly playing just one gig, in a pub outside of London.
Mitchell was later involved in reunions for both the Bay City Rollers and Rosetta Stone in his later years.
Today, fans have paid tribute to the singer on social media.
One wrote: ‘My deepest condolences. I met Ian at Foxwoods casino in Connecticut he was doing a concert with Leif Garrett, I met his wife too.
‘Both of them were very nice and sweet. Praying.’
Ian, from Northern Ireland, was the first person to join the band, dubbed as ‘tartan teen sensations’, from outside of their hometown of Edinburgh
The star went on to form the band Rosetta Stone, but he later quit in 1979, before launching the Ian Mitchell Band (pictured) in May 1979
Tony Blackburn (centre) with Les Mckeown (right) and Ian Mitchell (left) of The Bay City Rollers
Mitchell had been living in the United States, having carved out a life in California as a computer programmer and motivational speaker. Here he is pictured outside his California home in 1997
Another said: ‘I am so sorry to hear of Ian’s passing. I’ve loved this band since I was just 4 years old, and I remember how thrilled I was to watch them on TV and to dance to their music.
‘It’s one of my earliest memories Thank you for the music. RIP.’
Mitchell had been married to wife Wendy-Ann Antanaitis for almost thirty years.
According to a 2016 article by The Sun, had been living in the United States, having carved out a life in California as a computer programmer and motivational speaker.
On his name drop in Friends, he told the paper: ‘I fell off my chair when I saw that.’
Though he lived in America in the latter years of his life, Mitchell was still fond of his hometown, the small Northern Irish town of Downpatrick.
Speaking in 2014 to local newspaper the Down Recorder, he said: ‘I’m proud to be a part of this town’s heritage.
‘When I was born, it was but a small town, and I was but a poor kid living on Ardmeen Green, playing amongst the ruins that the ancient monks left behind.
‘I have known fame and some fortune. I have travelled the world and made some of the finest friends a man can have, and have had the pleasure of knowing some of the loveliest women around.
‘I became an American, a proud one at that, and am still an Irishman at heart, and a very lucky Irishman, indeed. And my life, well, all of it, started in a small place called… Downpatrick.’
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