Bay City Rollers star Ian Mitchell dies aged 62

Ian Mitchell, who was a member of the Bay City Rollers, has died aged 62.

Mitchell – who was from Northern Ireland and the first non-Scottish member of the band – joined in 1976 after original bassist Alan Longmuir left.

The band confirmed the sad news of his death on Facebook on Wednesday morning.

A statement read: ‘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.’

The band’s former guitarist, Stuart Wood, also added a tribute on the site, writing: ‘Very sad, sad news about Ian Mitchell.

‘We’d like to send our love and condolences to Wendy and all Ian’s family and friends…

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‘You are in our hearts.I have many fond memories of Ian not only in the BCR days but also when we played together in the 80’s with The Passengers…

‘Great guys and great days! You will sorely be missed Ian…’

Mitchell was just 17 when he was drafted into the group, leaving after only seven months with the group.

While he was with the band, they recorded the Dedication album as well as covering Dusty Springfield’s I Only Want To Be Like You, which reached number 12 on the US charts.

After he left the band, he was replaced by guitarist Pat McGlynn.

Fans have paid tribute to the singer on social media following the sad news.

Sharing their love of the musician and band, one wrote on Twitter: ‘You either loved them or hated them…I loved them!Have danced away to their music….And now sadly one has gone. RIP Ian.’

Another remembered seeing the group as the chimed in: ‘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.’

Reacting online, it’s clear Mitchell’s tenure with the band meant a lot to fans, with one writing: ‘Feeling sad hearing the news of #IanMitchell passing. #BayCityRollers were a huge part of my life in the late seventies and I met him a few times in LA at that time as well as later in life when he played a small club in San Diego. Such a lovely man.’

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