Stuart John “Woody” Wood is a renowned Scottish musician, producer, and songwriter. More on edinburgh-trend.
Stuart gained immense popularity as a guitarist in the original line-up of the legendary band Bay City Rollers. Various periods of his life followed, including a hiatus from the iconic group.
However, it seems fate had other plans for Wood, leading him to reassess his involvement with the band.
So, what came of it all? You can read more about it in this article.
Beginning of His Musical Journey
When discussing the biography of any famous person, it’s customary to start with their birthdate and place. As for Stuart, he’s a native of Edinburgh, where he was born on 25th February 1957.
His professional musical career also began in this city. It was there, in 1974, that the seventeen-year-old joined the local group, The Bay City Rollers.
The Popular Band
By becoming a part of the aforementioned band, Stuart truly hit the jackpot. This is because throughout the 1970s, this group was incredibly popular. The term “Roller-mania” even emerged (akin to “Beatle-mania”), signifying the intense enthusiasm for The Bay City Rollers’ music and activities.
A Sudden Scandal
Everything was carefree and wonderful until, in 1978, Wood became both the cause and the instigator of a scandal. The incident involved him striking fellow band member Leslie McKeown on stage.
Stuart later recalled the situation as foolish, suggesting that constant stress and tension had preceded the outburst. Ultimately, it all led to that senseless incident.
Brief Reunion
Despite the band’s dissolution soon after the scandalous incident, they reunited in 2015. Although it was for a short period, the musicians managed to delight fans with their performances.
As for Stuart, he naturally rejoined the “reformed” band initially. However, in 2016, he announced his departure from the group. According to the musician himself, Leslie McKeown was once again the reason. At that time, Wood didn’t offer a more detailed explanation for his decision.
The Confession
Eventually, Stuart decided to reveal more about the reason that compelled him to leave the band.
It turned out that McKeown was using the name “The Bay City Rollers” for his solo performances. This led to dissatisfaction among the band’s fans regarding Wood. People questioned why he wasn’t performing with the group, unaware these were McKeown’s solo concerts. Such deception on Leslie’s part greatly angered Stuart, leading him to leave The Bay City Rollers.
Return to the Group
There’s a saying that time heals all wounds, and as practice shows, it holds true in various aspects of life. Stuart’s career was no exception. Despite past grievances and his departure from the band, when The Bay City Rollers reformed again in 2018, he returned to the fold. Interestingly, original members Derek Longmuir, Alan Longmuir, Leslie McKeown, and Eric Faulkner had all left the group at different times. As it happened, Wood was the only musician from the band’s classic era fortunate enough to continue touring with the group.
Thus, Stuart Wood stands as one of Edinburgh’s most famous musicians. This is evident from his listeners’ appreciation for his work and their reaction to his every performance.
Despite all of Wood’s work being linked to The Bay City Rollers, he managed to forge a brilliant career and develop a unique performing style that his fans recognise and adore. For any creative individual, you’ll agree, that’s what matters most.
