BAY CITY ROLLERS BOOK
What the critics said:
But it’s also a story that demanded to be told. The
Rollers have of course been documented across a stream of titles, but the
emphasis has always been on the cultural/commercial phenomenon of their mid-70s
peak, and the peculiar emotions that they aroused in their fan base.
Don’t Stop the Music, on the other hand, is focused
only on the music, in the form of a 252-page annotated discography, itself
dissected to a level that few other artists have been blessed with. A band
history naturally unfolds alongside the details, but again the emphasis is on
the music as opposed to the mayhem, and you’d need a stoney heart indeed not to
look to YouTube at least a few times while you’re reading about the songs. Shimmy
shammy shong, indeed.
The Rollers’ own story is the heart of the book, but the same
amount of detail and background is also expended across the various spin-offs…
solo careers for Nobby Clark, Les McKeown, and Pat McGlynn; a new band for
early members Billy Lyall and David Paton (remember Pilot?); and probably
deserving a book of his own, the post-Rollers life and times of Ian Mitchell…
Worldwide discographies of the Rollers, and a plethora of record sleeves, reproduced in full color, add to the book’s allure.
Dave Thompson, goldminemag.com, January 11, 2019.
An essential book about the Rollers! (5 stars)
There have been a few books and several autobiographies written by and about the Bay City Rollers but most at best merely skimp over the musical aspects of the group to concentrate on the more sordid side of the band's history. With this book the situation has been remedied as it is basically a very comprehensive review of their musical output. Written by a fan it doesn't gush over everything they've released, and I personally disagree with some of his opinions on songs, but he does give an honest and critical assessment of the band's catalogue.
...nicely laid out little publication.
amazon.co.uk user Swanny, February 7, 2020.
