 |
 |
Stars tribute to Grant McLennan
Go-Betweens man dies in his sleep
08 May 06 - Edwyn Collins, Teenage Fanclub's Norman Blake and Duglas from the BMX Bandits are among the stars who've paid tribute to Go-Betweens' frontman Grant McLennan who died at the weekend.He passed away in his in his sleep at his home in Brisbane, Australia, on Saturday (6 May)according to the band's official website www.go-betweens.net. He was just 48.
A friend of the star told 6 Music that Grant was the happiest he had been for many years.
He was thrilled with the success of last year's album Oceans Apart, had found a new love in his personal life and had moved into a new house.
The friend continued: "Grant had decided to throw a huge party at his home with caterers and DJs to celebrate how good things were. In the afternoon, he said he would grab a couple of hours sleep because it was going to be a long night."
"In the late afternoon, guests started to arrive and when people started to wonder where Grant was, one of the guests went up to his room and discovered that he had died in his sleep. The lyrics of 'Finding You' seem rather poignant now."
McLennan was a founding member of The Go-Betweens after forming the band with Robert Forster in 1978.
Despite never really achieving commercial success, their credibility was carved from their first album Send Me A Lullaby in 1981 and they became hugely influential on bands such as Belle And Sebastian, Sleater Kinney and Luna.
The band split in 1989 and McLennan went on to release solo albums including Watershed, which got 5 stars in Rolling Stone.
But despite his solo success in 2000, McLennan and Forster got the Go-Betweens back together reformed the band and have continued to record annually.
Their last album Oceans Apart was released to much acclaim last year - and made 'best album' end of year polls in magazines including Mojo and Q.
No cause of death has been announced as yet. McLennan is survived by his mother, sister and girlfriend Emma.
Posting on the Go-Between's message board last night, Norman Blake said: "It's terrible news. I am absolutely shocked. Grant was a wonderful person. Fantastic songwriter. Some of you may know that we were friendly with the Go Betweens, having played a number of shows with them over the years.
"They were fantastic. Great music, lovely people. On the last night of the last tour that we did with them, only last year, Grant prepared us the legendary 'Go-Between' cocktail, basically taking whatever alcohol was near to hand, and mixing it together (that's how it appeared to me anyway). He was a sweetheart, a lovely, lovely guy. Always bright and engaging. Absolutely the life and soul of the party.
I'll be playing his music tonight, and thinking fondly of him and his beautiful smile."
Jody Thompson
Search for The Go-Betweens on bbc.co.uk
