Brothers Derek and Alan Longmuir were among the musicians who first formed the band in Scotland in the mid-'60s. The group went through several early lineup and name changes before settling on the Bay City Rollers.
Not every song caught on. The band's first version of "Saturday Night," written by the songwriting duo Bill Martin and Phil Coulter, came out in 1973 with Gordon "Nobby" Clark on lead vocals. It failed to chart.
McKeown was just 18 when he joined. Together with brothers Alan and Derek and guitarist Eric Faulkner, they formed what would become the band's classic lineup.
With the Bay City Rollers riding high in the U.K., the band set its sights on breaking into the American market.
"When we came to America, it was strange," he recalled to Rock Club 40. "At that time in 1975 /76, there were bands that were big in the U.K; bands like Sweet who went to America and not had the kind of success that they probably expected. We were kind of nervous because we thought 'We'll never get big in America!'”
“We thought 'What?! Life can't get any better! A helicopter picked us up from the airport and swooped into Madison Square Gardens which was filled with adoring fans. It was just the best thing ever!"
"Saturday Night" turned out to be the first of several U.S. hits for the Bay City Rollers. "Money Honey" and "You Made Me Believe in Magic" followed, and the band ultimately racked up five more Top 40 songs in America.
Alan left in 1976 and was replaced by Ian Mitchell, who was later replaced by Pat McGlynn. Alan eventually returned in 1978, but by then McKeown had also left the group.
Related: 1965 Rock Anthem, With 17-Year-Old Singer, Remains a Classic 61 Years Later
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