Ian Mitchell (musician)

Ian Mitchell
Born22 August 1958
Downpatrick, Northern Ireland
Died2 September 2020(2020-09-02) (aged 62)
Los Angeles, California, US
GenresPop
Occupation(s)Singer, motivational speaker
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals
Years active1976–1985
Formerly ofBay City Rollers, Rosetta Stone

Ian Mitchell was a Northern Irish[1] musician. He was a member of Bay City Rollers for seven months in 1976.[2] He was the first non-Scot to join the group.[1][2][3]

Mitchell was a member of Young City Stars, when he was asked by BCR manager Tam Paton to replace Alan Longmuir. Ian was seventeen when he join the band. In the seven months he was in the band for, Mitchell played on the Rollers cover of Dusty Springfield's "I Only Want to Be with You".[2] Mitchell left the band and was replaced by Pat McGlynn. He then joined Rosetta Stone, which was also managed by Paton.

Mitchell formed "The Ian Mitchell Band" in 1979, and changed their name to La Fox in 1982.[4][5] He also guest performed with The Passengers. He returned to the Bay City Rollers for three years in 1982. Ian performed with Kyle Vincent in the 2000s.[6]

Ian moved to California in the '80s[7] and worked as a computer programmer and a motivational speaker.[5] Mitchell is mentioned in the Friends episode "The One with Rachel's Book", when whilst planning Monica Geller's wedding, asks for the BCR to attend, leading Chandler Bing to reply "Well, you couldn’t get them anyway, I mean Ian doesn’t even play any more."[5][8]

Mitchell died on 2 September 2020, aged 62, from throat cancer.[9][4][5]

  1. ^ a b "Bay City Rollers NI musician Ian Mitchell dies aged 62". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2020-09-02. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  2. ^ a b c News, Music. "THE BAY CITY ROLLERS' IAN MITCHELL DEAD AT 62". Nights with Alice Cooper. Retrieved 2024-10-06. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  3. ^ Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. pp. 2–3. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
  4. ^ a b Greig, Finlay (2020-09-03). "Ian Mitchell: life and career of the musician who played with Edinburgh pop rock band Bay City Rollers as he dies aged 62". The Scotsman. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  5. ^ a b c d "Tributes to ex-Downpatrick man who was part of Bay City Rollers". www.thedownrecorder.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  6. ^ "Ian Mitchell, former member of Bay City Rollers, dies at 62". BBC News. 2020-09-02. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  7. ^ "Bay City Rollers NI musician Ian Mitchell dies aged 62". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2020-09-02. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  8. ^ Friends (2022-08-06). Planning a Wedding With Monica Geller | Friends. Retrieved 2024-10-06 – via YouTube.
  9. ^ Day, Nate (2020-09-02). "Ian Mitchell, Bay City Rollers bassist, dead at 62". Fox News. Retrieved 2024-10-06.