We are saddened to announce the passing of original Little River Band bassist Roger McLachlan, who succumbed to pancreatic cancer at the age of 71. His death was confirmed by Michael Oliphant, the frontman of Late for Breakfast, McLachlan’s subsequent band. This news has left a profound impact on the music community, as McLachlan was a talented musician and cherished friend.

“Roger didn’t want his battle with cancer to be publicly known, so he kept it private, shared only with close family and a few friends,” Oliphant reflected. “He was not only an incredible friend but also a remarkable collaborator and a musical powerhouse. His talent as a bassist was unmatched, and he had a mischievous spirit that will be dearly missed. The world feels different without him.”

Born in 1954 in New Zealand, McLachlan grew up in a musical family and displayed his passion early on, playing the ukulele as a child. His journey to Australia began when he joined a touring production of the musical Godspell in 1974. It was during this time that fate led him to connect with the lineup that would soon be known as Little River Band, after an agent mentioned their need for a bassist.

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During auditions, McLachlan was introduced to the band’s signature track, “It’s a Long Way There.” As he recounted in an interview with Riveting Riffs magazine, “When I arrived, Graeham Goble said, ‘We have this song called ‘It’s a Long Way There,’ let’s play it and see how it feels.’ As they began to play and sing, I was amazed at their talent. The rhythm took hold of me, and I started to groove along. From that moment, it felt like the perfect fit, and everything just clicked.”

The band began their journey by performing in a cramped van, initially under the name Mississippi. However, they adopted their iconic name before reaching new heights with their hit single “It’s a Long Way There,” which became a Top 30 success in the U.S. This transformation marked a significant milestone in their career, paving the way for their future success.

“It was a true band experience,” McLachlan shared with Stuff. “With a few of us crammed in the back, I was at the wheel while co-founding singer-songwriter Glenn Shorrock sat up front. We drove past a place called Little River and, out of nowhere, Glenn suggested we should name the band Little River Band. It was a clever play on words, transitioning from the name Mississippi to the smallest river in the world.”

Watch Roger McLachlan Perform with the Little River Band

Exploring Roger McLachlan’s Musical Journey Beyond Little River Band

After the release of their 1976 album After Hours, which achieved Top 5 status in Australia, McLachlan decided to leave the band. However, his journey with Little River Band was far from over.

In the late 1990s, he made a return to the band, joining a lineup led by guitarist Stephen Housden. During this period, he reunited on stage with original guitarist Ric Formosa. Additionally, he showcased his extraordinary talent on fretless bass for John Farnham‘s acclaimed album Whispering Jack, which dominated the Australian charts. This album included the iconic single “You’re the Voice,” a massive hit that achieved Top 10 status in the U.K., Germany, and Australia.

McLachlan continued to thrive musically, scoring an Australian hit with the Melbourne band Stars, and performing at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival with the fusion group Pyramid. Moreover, he collaborated with Merril Bainbridge on her Top 5 U.S. single “Mouth.” Even into his late years, McLachlan remained active in the music scene, releasing his solo debut, Roger This Roger That, at the age of 57. His contributions to music were recognized when he was inducted into New Zealand’s Southland Musicians Club Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.