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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, at age 17, replacing bassist Alan Longmuir, but left after seven months with the Scottish group, dubbed ‘teenage tartan sensations’.
However, the musician had a lasting impact with the band, with whom he recorded the hit cover ‘I Only Want to be With You’.
The Bay City Rollers official Facebook page released a statement announcing his death this morning.
It read: “We are deeply saddened by the news of Ian Mitchell’s death. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Wendy, his family and friends. Rest in peace, Ian.
Ian Mitchell (pictured 1976) joined the band, at age 17, replacing bassist Alan Longmuir, but left after seven months with the Scottish group, dubbed ‘teen tartan 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 had a lasting impact with the Bay City Rollers, having recorded the famous cover ‘I Only Want to be With You during his brief stint with the band.
The Bay City Rollers posted this nostalgic photo of Ian on the band’s Facebook page today.
Ian, from Northern Ireland, was the first person to join the band from outside his hometown of Edinburgh.
While with the Bay City Rollers, Ian recorded an album, Dedication, in 1976, and had a successful cover of the Dusty Springfield song ‘I Only Want to be With You’.
The track reached number 12 on the US charts.
He also got a mention on Friends in a 2001 episode when Monica and Chandler got 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, responds, “You couldn’t get The Rollers anyway because Ian doesn’t play anymore.”
He left in late 1976 when the band’s popularity began to wane and he was replaced by guitarist Pat McGlynn.
Mitchell later blamed infighting in the band for his decision to leave. 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 Bay City Rollers manager Tom Patron, the Northern Ireland band had successful tours of Japan and Thailand had three singles, including a cover of Cream’s’ 60s song ‘Sunshine of Your Love’.
But the band was much less successful at home and in the United States. They signed with Private Stock Records and released their first album, Rock Pictures, in May 1978 with little success.
Mitchell He then resigned in 1979, before releasing the Ian Mitchell Band in May 1979.
Once again, the band toured Asia and parts of Europe with great success, but found little recognition in the UK, apparently playing only one gig, in a pub outside London.
Mitchell later participated in the Bay City Rollers and Rosetta Stone meetings in his later years.
Today, fans have paid tribute to the singer on social media.
One wrote: ‘My condolences. I met Ian at the Foxwoods casino in Connecticut, he was doing a concert with Leif Garrett, I also met his wife.
They were both very nice and sweet. Praying. ‘
Ian, from Northern Ireland, was the first person to join the band, dubbed ‘teen tartan sensations’, from outside his hometown of Edinburgh.
The star went on to form the band Rosetta Stone, but then resigned in 1979, before launching the Ian Mitchell Band (pictured) in May 1979.
Tony Blackburn (center) with Les Mckeown (right) and Ian Mitchell (left) of The Bay City Rollers
Mitchell had been living in the United States, having made a life for himself in California as a computer programmer and motivational speaker. Here he is seen outside his home in California in 1997.
Another said: ‘I am so sorry to hear of Ian’s passing. I have loved this band since I was 4 years old and I remember how excited I was to see them on TV and dance to their music.
‘It’s one of my first memories. Thanks for the music. RIP’
Mitchell had been married to his wife Wendy-Ann Antanaitis for almost thirty years.
According to a 2016 article in The Sun, he had been living in the United States, having made a life for himself in California as a computer programmer and motivational speaker.
On her behalf on Friends, she told the newspaper, “I fell out of my chair when I saw that.”
Although he lived in America in the last years of his life, Mitchell still appreciated his hometown, the small town of Downpatrick in Northern Ireland.
Speaking to the local Down Recorder newspaper in 2014, he said: ‘I am proud to be part of the heritage of this city.
“When I was born, it was just a small town, and I was a poor boy who lived in Ardmeen Green and played among the ruins left by the ancient monks.
‘I have known fame and some fortune. I have traveled the world and made some of the best friends a man can have, and I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the most beautiful women out there.
I became an American, proud of it, and I am still an Irishman at heart, and a very lucky Irishman indeed. And my life, well, it all started in a little place called … Downpatrick.
