Neil Henderson, Bay City Rollers and Middle of the Road guitarist, dies aged 73
Former Bay City Rollers and Middle of the Road guitarist Neil Henderson has died aged 73, his former bandmates announced.
Former Bay City Rollers guitarist Neil Henderson has died at the age of 73.
The news was announced by his ex-bandmates in Middle of the Road, who posted a statement to Facebook. They described Henderson as their “original lead guitarist, songwriter and friend”, revealing he “had been ill for some time and was fighting to recover from a stroke a few years ago”.
“We wish to send our sincere condolences to Heather and Shona, his two daughters, and all his family and friends,” the statement continued. “His memory will live on with all who had the pleasure of sharing the stage with him as will his music.”
The Glasgow-born musician was a member of the Bay City Rollers from 1970 until 1972, performing on their debut single Keep on Dancing before leaving over disagreements about the band’s musical direction — departing shortly before Rollermania propelled them to worldwide stardom.
Henderson later joined Middle of the Road, the band behind the 1971 chart-topper Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep. He wrote and co-wrote songs including Rockin’ Soul and Everybody Loves a Winner, and played on the albums You Pays Yer Money and You Takes Yer Chance (both 1974) and Postcard, all released in Germany via Ariola.
Friends and fans paid tribute after the announcement. One wrote: “It was a pleasure to have known you, my friend, sleep well mate.”
Sources
More on this topic: all Celebrity stories