- Paperback: 224 pages
- Publisher: Mainstream Publishing; New edition edition (2 Feb 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1840189274
- ISBN-13: 978-1840189278
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 13 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 930,794 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
In 1973, at the age of 18, Les McKeown became the lead singer of the Bay City Rollers, at that stage a one-hit-wonder pop group on the verge of giving up. His charismatic personality transformed the Rollers into an international super-group that reached No. 1 all over the world.
McKeown was the catalyst for mass hysteria not witnessed since the days of Beatlemania. By 1975 he was the most adored man on the planet. Four years later he was homeless and penniless after quitting the Rollers. Shang-A-Lang reveals the remarkable story of the boy from the back streets of Edinburgh whose dream came true and how that dream was shattered. It tells the truth about the scandalous behaviour of the boy band marketed as squeaky clean and the wrangles that led to Les leaving the band.
A no-holds-barred account of Rollermania and beyond, Shang-A-Lang takes a revealing trip through the many ups and downs in the life of one of the music industry's bona fide survivors and provides a candid insight into the less savoury aspects of the music industry.
About the Author
Les McKeown was the frontman in the Bay City Rollers between 1973 and '78. He still writes and performs today in his own right and is also a DJ.
Before becoming a full-time author, Lynne Elliott was a marketing and PR consultant. She has known and worked with Les McKeown for many years.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As an ex-BCR fan (although I must admit that I am once again catching the fever), I really looked forward to reading this book. I treated myself to its serialisation in the Edinburgh Evening News online and once it arrived, I finished Les' story in 2 sittings, burning the midnight oil. Being a fervent former admirer of Eric AND Les, it was a let-down to know that there is no love lost between them. This hit me much harder than the confirmation that the boys partook of sex and drugs in addition to rock & roll. My innocence is definitely gone, although at age 37, I assumed that they were not the choirboys their image made them out to be, and they were actually very naive in many ways. When I was 10-11-12, they seemed so big and grown up to me, when most of them were actually still in their teens and painfully young. This book is a must for fans and any young hopefuls out there who dream of a career in music. Les is very articulate and not at all wary of telling it like it is. His story has many faces and can be poignant as well as funny and sad. Les is a survivor who doesn't take himself seriously and there's an endearing self-deprecating tone throughout the whole book. Enjoy!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I had this book shipped to me from England as it is not available in Australia yet.
I thought it was a fantastic read and gave a lot of insight into
the friction within the band.
I thought Les Mac was quite sincere in telling his story and I guess it would be nice to hear the other side also.
I was lucky enough to have my book signed by Les whilst he was here touring Oz and to meet the guy and what a lovely person he was.
So to any Roller and Les Mac fan out there reading my review go and do yourself a favour and read this book.
Cheers All
Wendy Peters
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I, like all buyers of this book, was a HUGE BCR fan. When I found out this book was coming out, I paused before buying to ask myself... "do I REALLY want to know". In the end, I give in and I should not have worried. This book is extremely sugary and glosses over almost everything in the BCR era - with the exception of Les and Eric's intense dislike of each other.
A tell-all book about a band should be about specifics concert dates, specific events, specific conversations. This book reads as one long diatribe against ONE member of the group and not much else.
Where were the funny stories? (there had to be a few a least?). How about weird experiences with fans (other than "I snuck out of the hotel....), how about "here is how the industry works, etc.
I enjoy Les honest portrayal of himself and some of the stories were cute, but after reading this, my teeth hurt from too much glossing over.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
shang a lang
This book SHANG A LANG is a very good read once you start reading it you won't be able to put it down it makes you LAUGH AND CRY you will be glad you bought it
Published 22 months ago by PATTI
intresting
great insight to a goup of my teens,not how i precieved them as a 14 year old fan at the time,facinating
Published on 18 May 2009 by Mrs. T. Trounson
Nostalgia, but sad
I purposely didn't buy this when it first came out, maybe didn't want to shatter my young illusions! Read more
Published on 14 Feb 2008 by Ms. Hazel Hargraves
Sad & Funny!
As a young girl of 12 I dreamed of meeting Les Mckeown, and he would realize I was the *one* for him! Read more
Published on 7 Nov 2003
A Grain of Salt
I have to say I was disappointed in this book, though I was looking forward to reading it. There were times I laughed out loud; he does show an ability to look sarcastically at the... Read more
Published on 26 Oct 2003 by LK Hunsaker
Fantastic !!
I bought this book cos i was a huge fan back in the 70s,it was curiousity more than anything.
and i was very surprised at how frank Les was about his chilhood,and the... Read more
and i was very surprised at how frank Les was about his chilhood,and the... Read more
Published on 23 Oct 2003 by D. Allen
WOW!!!
this book is a must for any roller fan, especially if your fave was les.
it gives you an insight into the real goings on of the hey day of the rollers , very straight... Read more
it gives you an insight into the real goings on of the hey day of the rollers , very straight... Read more
Published on 23 Oct 2003
SHANG-A-LANG is a must read!
I, along with many other fans of Les McKeown, anxiously awaited the release of this book. It was well worth the wait! Read more
Published on 23 Oct 2003 by LesLass
What a rollercoaster
I chose this book because my daughter was a victim of rollermania in the 70s and by association I felt I knew the author. Read more
Published on 16 Oct 2003 by Kathleen
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