Machinations, Divinyls drummer Warren McLean dies

Warren McLean, a former drummer for Australian bands Flotsam Jetsam, Machinations, I’m Talking, Divinyls and more, has died.

McLean died in a hospital in Bali following a battle with cancer, according to Flotsam Jetsam vocalist Stephen Ferris.

He first joined Machinations after the release of their debut album, ‘Esteem’, in 1983. He recorded their follow-up ‘Big Music’ in 1985, and remained with the group for another year, before leaving to join I’m Talking alongside vocalists Kate Ceberano and Zan Abeyratne.

After I’m Talking disbanded in 1987, McLean then joined Divinyls to record their third studio album ‘Temperamental’ in 1988.

For the past few years, McLean had been living in Bali producing travel vlogs and guides under the YouTube channel Bali Life Me, which at time of writing has amassed over 11,000 subscribers. He also ran a Patreon page in support of the channel.

On his YouTube channel community page, McLean left an update six days ago that he was “stuck in a hotel room”, unable to walk and hadn’t had food in a month. He was then transferred to an oncology ward in a hospital a few days later, as he noted in his last update on January 2.

McLean’s former bandmates Flotsam Jetsam vocalist Stephen Ferris and Divinyls keyboardist Roger Mason have paid tribute to the drummer on social media. I’m Talking have also shared a tribute post. See them below.