Shang-A-Lang: Life as an International Pop Idol [Hardcover]

Les McKeown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 9, 2003

The roller-coaster rise to stardom of Les McKeown, who transformed the Bay City Rollers from a one-hit-wonder boy-band into a super-group, and his subsequent descent into near destitution after quitting the band. It is a remarkable story of extremes, and a no-holds barred account of Rollermania.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Les McKeown was the frontman in the Bay City Rollers between '73 and '78. He still 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, and has known and worked with Les McKeown for many years.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Mainstream Publishing (October 9, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1840186518
• ISBN-13: 978-1840186512
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,153,580 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Recommended!, May 27, 2004

By 

"saturngirl2" (Cincinnati, OH - USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shang-A-Lang: Life as an International Pop Idol (Hardcover)

OK, he wasn't my favorite Roller...but even I had to admit there was something about the devilish glint in Leslie McKeown's eye. His ego sometimes seemed bigger than the whole of Europe, so it's appropriate that he would be the Roller to come out with a book like this. I didn't know just how humble his beginnings were, and I have a lot more respect for him now. Leslie has a very natural, humorous style of writing and is a born storyteller. This kept me reading until I finished it in only 2 days. Even if you weren't a BCR fan, Leslie's book gives a good look into the realities of being a pop star in the 70s.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well done, Les!, May 23, 2004

By 

Rebeca Thorvund (San Jose, California United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Shang-A-Lang: Life as an International Pop Idol (Hardcover)

What an entertaining read! Les McKeown has been through a lot and shares it all in this book, which is at once hilarious, tragic, and eye-opening. He gives the inside scoop on his life as the frontman of the hysteria-inducing Bay City Rollers and beyond. Les shares the whole story with us - from his upbringing in Edinburgh, to his first forays into music, to teen idolatry in the Rollers, to the aftermath. His sense of humor remains intact and his take on life and his experiences is refreshing. He pulls no punches and seems like a pretty cool guy. Thanks for telling your story, Les!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Bio, May 12, 2007

By 

Jose Luis Viruete Cerrillo "Pop culture afici... (Madrid, Spain) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Shang-a-Lang: Life as an International Pop Idol (Paperback)

If you're into pop bands, this is a must. Les knows what the reader wants: his life an adventures with the Bay City Rollers. And this is what you're going to get, tons of memories of fans, concerts and anecdotes of one of the more popular bands of the 70's. He got a big ego, but most of his rants are well argumented and I agree with him in a lot of his observations. Highly entertaining and recommended.