NME News

Go-Betweens star hails 'magnificent' Grant McLennan tributes

Grany McLennan

Grany McLennan

Robert Forster thanks fans

The Go-Betweens' Robert Forster has thanked fans after hundreds of them left “magnificent tributes” for his co-frontman Grant McLennan, who died suddenly on Saturday (May 6).

As reported on NME.COM, the band’s official website gobetweens.net has been inundated with eulogies for the bandmember, who passed away in his sleep at his home in Brisbane. He was 48.

Among those paying homage were several members of Teenage Fanclub, The Auteurs frontman Luke Haines, Edwyn Collins and footballer Pat Nevin.

Belle & Sebastian paid tribute by playing McLennan's 1987 Go-Betweens classic 'Bye Bye Pride' at their show in Ludwigshafen on Sunday night (May 7).

Forster, who has confirmed that with McLennan’s death the band is no more, posted a message on the site in response to the deluge of touching tributes.

The message reads: “Today I went to the website and read some of the magnificent tributes that have flown in for Grant. People for some days have been telling me of the beautiful things written there. And today I felt well enough and strong enough to go in and read. I thank you all. In time I shall read every one of them. I see familiar names scattered from our past. The vast majority I don't know. All of you Grant and I have met through our music. Your words and thoughts I find very, very moving. I sense the love and understanding for Grant and his music, and I take the support you send to me to my heart.

“These last days I have Grant in my head. He talks to me in odd moments. I hear him... and I always will. “

“All my love, Robert Forster.”

Add your comment

NME Alerts

Get NME news delivered direct to your desktop. Find out more

This Week's Issue
  • NME Magazine - The ultimate guide to the week in music
  • The ultimate guide to the week in music
  • NME Magazine - Subscribe today and get 1/3rd off NME
Please sign in

Forgot your password?

Register with MyNME

Every Tuesday and Friday

  • Up-to-the-minute news stories
  • The best new music and free downloads
  • Video interviews, photo galleries, competitions and more
  • Album and track reviews for the week ahead
  • Essential gigs in your area