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Early Life and Career
Leslie Richard McKeown, known as Les McKeown, was a Scottish singer who gained fame as the lead vocalist of the pop rock band Bay City Rollers during their most successful period in the 1970s. Born on 12 November 1955 in Edinburgh, Scotland, McKeown had a humble beginning. His father, Francis, worked as a tailor and was deaf, while his mother, Florence, was a seamstress. Both emigrated to the United Kingdom from Ireland. McKeown was raised in a city tenement block and attended Broomhouse Primary School, then nearby Forrester High School. He left school at 15 and became a member of the band Threshold.
Rise to Stardom
McKeown joined the Bay City Rollers in November 1973, replacing founding lead singer Gordon “Nobby” Clark. The band only achieved national, and then international, popularity after McKeown joined. His arrival also coincided with an overhaul of the group’s image introducing half-mast trousers, platform shoes and tartan. They had four songs in the Top 10 in 1974 which featured McKeown as the frontman.
Personal Struggles
Despite his success, McKeown faced personal struggles. He was alcohol-dependent for the past 20 years and had used cocaine in the past. When he was on a rare visit home to Edinburgh, McKeown – just 20 at the time – ran over and killed a 76-year-old woman. Despite some witnesses claiming McKeown was driving too fast, a court cleared him of the more serious charge and instead found him guilty of reckless driving.
Les McKeown Cause of Death
On 20 April 2021, McKeown died at the age of 65. According to Toronto Sun, McKeown relapsed at his home in Lower Clapton, east London, and suffered a fatal cardiac arrest the following morning. His wife Peko Keiko, found him unconscious and gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation but was unable to revive him. He was pronounced dead by medics at their home. Paramedics found McKeown with an abnormally high blood sugar level and delivered several shocks by a defibrillator. Resuscitation was stopped at 12.31pm.
According to Express, Madam Hassell said Les died of a number of natural causes, including long-term blood pressure. She said: “It was partly natural, it was long-term high blood pressure, and it was partly a consequence of the long-term use of excessive use of alcohol and drugs.”
Legacy
Despite his personal struggles, Les McKeown left an indelible mark on the music industry. His contribution to the Bay City Rollers and the pop rock genre will always be remembered. His sudden and tragic death serves as a stark reminder of the toll that substance abuse can take, even on those who seem to have it all.
