Grant McLennan, the singer/songwriter/guitarist/co-founder of one of alternative rock’s acclaimed bands, the Go-Betweens, passed away on May 6 at the age of 48. Formed in Australia in 1977, the Go-Betweens—led by McLennan and his partner Robert Forster— released several critically-lauded albums through the ‘80s, including Spring Hill Fair, the brilliant Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express, Tallulah, and 16 Lovers Lane before disbanding in 1990. Ten years later, the duo reunited and released three more studio albums including its most recent from last year, Oceans Apart. McLennan had penned some of the most lovely, melodic songs in the band’s canon such as “Streets of Your Town” and “Cattle and Cane.” During the group’s hiatus McLennan recorded some solo albums and was part of Jack Frost with Steve Kilbey of the Church.
This picture was taken last year at the Go-Betweens’s show at New York City’s Mercury Lounge—fuzzy as the photo is, McLennan is the man in the orange/red on the right. I’ll never forget while I was waiting on line outside to get into the venue when McLennan, Forster, and the rest of the band came through the front door. I think Forster offered the bouncer a bite of his pretzel. It’s those little things that leaves a deep impression of a special band who now lost an irreplaceable member.
NewBeats 