Original bassist for Little River Band, Roger McLachlan, passed away on April 16, 2025, at the age of 71, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. His death was confirmed by Michael Oliphant, the frontman of McLachlan’s later group, Late for Breakfast.
“Roger didn’t wish his struggle to be widely known and so chose to keep it just between family and a handful of friends,” Oliphant said. “Roger was a wonderful friend, collaborator, musical powerhouse, absolute monster bass player, and all-round naughty boy. Life will never be the same.”
Born in 1954 in New Zealand, McLachlan grew up in a musical family and began playing the ukulele at a young age. He moved to Australia to join a 1974 touring production of the musical Godspell.
McLachlan’s involvement with Little River Band happened when an agent mentioned they needed a bass player. In an interview with Riveting Riffs magazine, he recalled attending auditions and being impressed by the musicians. They played “It’s a Long Way There,” and he joined in, feeling an immediate and natural connection.
The group initially traveled between shows in a small van under the name “Mississippi.” This changed by the time they released “It’s a Long Way There,” the third single from their 1975 self-titled debut album, which became a Top 30 hit in the U.S.
McLachlan once explained how the band got its name. During a drive to Geelong, Australia, they passed a place called Little River. Glenn Shorrock, the co-founding singer and songwriter, saw the Little River sign and suggested naming the band Little River Band, as a play on words from Mississippi to what McLachlan termed “the smallest river in the world.”
As a founding member, McLachlan played on the band’s first two albums: “Little River Band” (1975) and “After Hours” (1976). His bass lines are featured on hits such as “It’s a Long Way There,” “Curiosity (Killed The Cat),” “Emma,” and “Everyday of My Life.” McLachlan left the group after “After Hours,” which reached the Top 5 in Australia.
His connection with the band wasn’t entirely severed. In the late 1990s, McLachlan returned to play with a Little River Band lineup led by guitarist Stephen Housden. He stayed for about a year before the demands of touring in the U.S. led him to depart again.
In his varied career beyond Little River Band, McLachlan joined Melbourne band Stars, whose debut album “Paradise” reached number 14 on the Australian charts. He also formed a jazz fusion band, Pyramid, which played at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland in 1983.
McLachlan’s skills as a session musician were in demand. In 1986, he played fretless bass on John Farnham’s album “Whispering Jack,” which topped the Australian charts and included the hit “You’re the Voice,” a Top 10 single in the U.K., Germany, and Australia.
His session work extended to collaborations with Merril Bainbridge on her 1994 album “The Garden,” which included the Top 5 U.S. hit “Mouth.” Over his career, McLachlan contributed to numerous sessions for movie scores, television shows, and radio jingles.
McLachlan’s collection of instruments was noteworthy, reportedly comprising 42 basses and guitars. Since 1988, he endorsed Warwick basses, favoring a 1989 Warwick JD 5-string NT Thumb bass. He cited Paul McCartney, Roger Glover, and Jack Bruce as influences.
Despite his lengthy career, McLachlan didn’t release his solo debut, “Roger This Roger That,” until 2012, at age 58. The album featured both instrumental and vocal tracks, reflecting his diverse musical influences. In 2019, he re-released the album with a live performance.
In the same year, McLachlan joined a reformed lineup of Stars, and the band released a live DVD and two albums. His musical contributions were recognized in 2009 with his induction into New Zealand’s Southland Musicians Club Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.
Over his more than 55 years in music, McLachlan remained committed to his craft, respected for his rhythm and groove. He continued to perform, teach, mentor, and work as a producer and engineer until his passing.
McLachlan is survived by his wife Desley and his family. His passing marks a significant loss to the music communities of Australia and New Zealand, where he was highly regarded for his talent and contributions.
