Mother finally meets band who helped her hear

Katie Mallen was born almost totally deaf and refused to wear a hearing aid as a child. But listening to Bay City Rollers songs through a special pair of headphones – which magnified the sound from her hi fi – transformed her life.

Inspired by the Scottish band and their music, Mrs Mallen memorised the lyrics of all their songs and eventually learned how to lip read and talk.

Now aged 48, she finally got to meet her all time hero – lead singer Les McKeown – after the Rollers arrived for a one-night show in the family’s hometown of Rotherham.

Her eldest daughter Michelle was amazed when Mr McKeown – whose father was profoundly deaf – started chatting to her mother using sign language.

The 26-year-old said: “I was quite nervous about setting up the meeting, but Les was brilliant about it when I explained how the band had changed my mum’s life, and it was great seeing them chatting together afterwards.

“Mum was 11 when she got the headphones, and listening to the Bay City Rollers on her hi fi was the first thing she ever heard so the music made a massive impression in her as a girl.

“If it hadn’t been for the band then she’d never have learned to lip read and talk – the records she played on her hi fi made all the difference at the time, and I’m glad we got the chance to meet Les and say thanks for all the Bay City Rollers did for my mum all those years ago.

“Mum was just like a teenager when the band started playing their hits. She was so excited jumping up and down and singing along to all the lyrics – it was wonderful just seeing her have so much fun.”

Mrs Mallen added: “I’ve always wanted to say thank you to the band. Meeting Les was one of the best moments of my life.”