Former Bay City Rollers guitarist Neil Henderson has died at 73 after years of health struggles following a stroke.
The Scottish musician’s death was announced by his former bandmates in Middle of the Road, who remembered him as their original lead guitarist, songwriter and longtime friend.
Henderson had reportedly been in poor health for some time after suffering a stroke several years ago. His family has not released a specific cause of death.
Middle of the Road shared an emotional tribute announcing his passing.
“We are sorry to have to announce the death of Neil Henderson, our original lead guitarist, songwriter and friend,” the band said.
They also sent condolences to Henderson’s daughters, Heather and Shona, as well as the rest of his family and friends.
“His memory will live on with all who had the pleasure of sharing the stage with him, as will his music,” the group added.
Henderson’s career stretched back to one of the most important eras in Scottish pop music.
Born in Glasgow in 1953, he joined the Bay City Rollers in 1970, when the band was still years away from becoming an international teen sensation.
He played guitar on “Keep on Dancing,” the group’s first charting single, before leaving in 1972 amid disagreements over the band’s musical direction.
His departure came just before the group exploded into worldwide fame.
By the mid-1970s, the Bay City Rollers had become a full-blown cultural phenomenon, with screaming fans, tartan outfits and the kind of hysteria that became known as “Rollermania.”
Henderson had already moved on.
In 1974, he joined another successful Scottish group, Middle of the Road, which had become internationally famous for the 1971 No. 1 hit “Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep.”
He later helped write and co-write material for the band, including songs such as “Rockin’ Soul” and “Everybody Loves a Winner.”
Middle of the Road had enjoyed huge success across Europe before Henderson joined, and the band continued touring internationally during his time with the group.
For fans, Henderson’s death marks the loss of another musician connected to two of Scotland’s most recognizable pop acts from the 1970s.
He may have left the Bay City Rollers before their biggest years, but his place in the band’s early history was significant.
And with Middle of the Road, he found a second chapter as both a guitarist and songwriter.
Henderson is survived by his daughters, Heather and Shona.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been publicly announced.