Roger McLachlan, the original bassist for Little River Band, passed away on April 16, 2025, at the age of 71 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Michael Oliphant, the frontman of McLachlan’s later band Late for Breakfast, confirmed his passing.
“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 came from a musical background and began playing the ukulele at a young age. He moved to Australia in 1974 to join a touring production of the musical Godspell.
McLachlan joined Little River Band by chance after an agent mentioned their need for a bassist. In an interview with Riveting Riffs magazine, McLachlan recalled being impressed by the musicians during auditions. He noted that when they played “It’s a Long Way There,” he joined in, leading to an immediate and natural connection.
Initially, the group traveled in a small van under the name “Mississippi.” By the release of “It’s a Long Way There,” the third single from their 1975 self-titled debut album, they became the Little River Band, achieving a Top 30 hit in the United States.
McLachlan explained the band’s name originated during a drive to Geelong, Australia, when co-founder Glenn Shorrock suggested “Little River Band” after seeing a sign for Little River. McLachlan noted it was a play on words from Mississippi to what he termed “the smallest river in the world.”
As a founding member, McLachlan contributed to the band’s first two albums, “Little River Band” (1975) and “After Hours” (1976), playing on tracks like “It’s a Long Way There,” “Curiosity (Killed The Cat),” “Emma,” and “Everyday of My Life.” He left after the “After Hours” album, which peaked at number 5 in Australia.
McLachlan reconnected with Little River Band in the late 1990s, performing with a lineup led by guitarist Stephen Housden. He stayed for about a year before leaving due to the pressures of touring in the United States.
Outside Little River Band, McLachlan joined Melbourne band Stars, whose debut album “Paradise” reached number 14 on the Australian charts. He also formed the jazz fusion band Pyramid, which performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland in 1983.
McLachlan was a sought-after session musician, contributing fretless bass to John Farnham’s “Whispering Jack” album in 1986, which topped the Australian charts and included the hit “You’re the Voice.”
His session work also included contributions to Merril Bainbridge’s 1994 album “The Garden,” featuring the U.S. Top 5 hit “Mouth.” McLachlan worked on various sessions, contributing to film scores, TV shows, and radio jingles.
McLachlan owned around 42 basses and guitars, endorsing Warwick basses since 1988. His preferred instrument was a 1989 Warwick JD 5-string NT Thumb bass. Influences included Paul McCartney, Roger Glover, and Jack Bruce.
Despite his extensive career, McLachlan released his solo debut album “Roger This Roger That” in 2012 at age 57, featuring a mix of instrumental and vocal tracks. He re-released it with a live performance in 2019.
In 2019, McLachlan joined a reformed Stars lineup, releasing a live DVD and two new albums. He was inducted into New Zealand’s Southland Musicians Club Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.
Throughout his more than 55-year career in music, McLachlan continued to perform, teach, mentor, and work as a producer and engineer until his passing. He is survived by his wife, Desley, and family, leaving a significant impact on the music communities of Australia and New Zealand.
