BLAIR MACLEAN

Condolences & Memories (7 entries)

• G MacLean and MacLean: One evening, the MacLean brothers visited my after-hours club, and we quickly hit it off as friends. I joined them in performing the second oldest recorded song in the English language, an old Scottish ballad titled "The Lobster." I earned the nickname "Lobsterman," though my singing voice left much to be desired. Initially, I approached the performance with a laid-back attitude, but as I began to care more about how I sounded, I encountered my first bout of stage fright. I would often break into a sweat before taking the stage. One particular night, I forgot the words. After a pause during a chorus, Gary shot me a quizzical glance and asked, “Did you forget the words?” I nodded, my mind racing in search of the lyrics. “You arsehole!” Gary chimed in, ever the supportive friend. Miraculously, I managed to recall the words and finished the song, after which I didn't experience as much trouble with stage fright again. Another cherished memory involves my good friend, Murray McLaughlin. I often dragged him along to performances, though he wasn’t particularly fond of being in the spotlight. One night, while playing at "The Chimney" on Yonge Street, we found ourselves with an hour to spare between shows. Seated in the dressing room with a couple of friends, we began to sing show tunes over a few Heinekens. The laughter was infectious, and despite their reluctance, the MacLeans and I showcased an impressive repertoire of songs. I can still picture the dressing room door swinging open, revealing a bewildered audience witnessing Murray McLaughlin and the MacLean brothers belting out "Oklahoma" at full volume. Later that night, we ended up in the boys’ hotel room. Gary and I were trying to impress a couple of lovely young ladies when he asked Murray to sing "The Farmer’s Song" for us. Murray, ever gracious, picked up a guitar and delivered a beautiful rendition. After he finished, Gary expressed his gratitude, joking, “Thanks, Murray, that was lovely. It’s just like when I’m at a party and someone asks me to perform ‘The Shit Routine.’” Sundays were particularly special, at my bar as I would host gatherings for anyone in town, complete with free drinks, a lavish seafood dinner, and a jam session. The MacLean brothers thrived in this setting, serving as excellent bartenders. One moment that stands out was when Burton Cummings perched on my kitchen counter, singing "I Got a Letter from the Postman," with the MacLeans and Murray harmonizing alongside him. It was truly magical. One night we were playing the Ell Macombo upstairs. It was late start with the last show starting at midnight. I sat alone at our table as the boys started the show. I had noticed a large table with a half dozen chairs leaning in and a big reserved sign. About 5 minutes into the show there was a rush of guys to the table and a quick order of drinks. My eyes were used to the darkened room and soon recognized Billy Joel. It was him and his band. They had just played Maple Leaf Gardens. So when I got up to sing the lobster song there is a verse where you can pick somebody off and I sang it thus. That is the End There isn't anymore. There is an apple up me arsehole And Billy Joel can have the core. Afterwards we all go together with Billy and the band in the dressing room. The bar sent up cases of Heinekens and we were having a grand time. Billy raved about the show. But all he seemed to remember was me. He was so surprised when I used his name he laughed and laughed. It never pays to upstage the stars of the show. We remained friends but the Macleans never asked me to sing again. Great Friends we had many adventures - Posted by: Gary LeDrew (Friend) on: Mar 15, 2025

• Blair and I were in his barrack room in Gimli as he was getting to know his Gibson 12 string guitar that had arrived that day. He loved that instrument from the moment he strummed the first chord. We heard on the radio that afternoon that JFK had been shot. So sorry to have just learned of Blair’s passing, and sorry that we had lost touch. RIP - Posted by: John Bowser (Friend) on: May 23, 2020

• To one of the greatest performers I have ever met. Both Blair and Gary have made me laugh since I was a child and I still listen to their lyrics to their songs. I had the pleasure of actually meeting both in Halifax in the 1990s and will never forget either of them. My condolences to Blairs family and friends. He surely is missed both he and Gary. - Posted by: Marie (Fan) on: Aug 07, 2016

• I Met Blair & Gary for The First Tyme During FROSH-WEEK @ Laurentian University 1975, Where They Were Head-Lining At the GREAT-HALL.Because I Knew They Were From Cape Breton I Made Certain That I Met Both Lads & Introduced Myself.My Father Lynn-O'Tucky MacLean Was Born & Raised in Glace Bay Cape Breton & I Thought Perhaps We Might Even Be Related somehow..Regardless We Never Did Figure it Out But We Became Fast Friends And From that First Meeting in 1975 at University, I Would Attend Performances By The Lads In Toronto/Calgary/& Vancouver and THEY Always Made Me Feel Welcome and at Home With Them on the ROAD.To Me They Were Just Fine People That Were Born Entertainers That Played Great Music And Sang Even Better.From Tyme To Tyme A Lonely Burton Cummings Would Turn-Up at Their Gigs and Their Performance Would Change To Accomadate Cummings and the Singing and Harmonies that Resulted were Better than any of the Best of Crosby/Stills/&-Nash, They Literally Soared To Incredible Heights Bringing Cheers And Applause & Standing Ovations.I Last Saw The Brothers Perform in the Early Nineties I Believe and at that Last Rendezvous They Made Me Feel Ever So Happy To Be In Their Company.I Loved Their Obtuse Humour and Miss Being Able To Amble into a Sold-Out Club-Date and Say Hello .Blair Was a Wonderful Generous Individual That Always Remembered Me As Did Gary.One Tyme while Getting Ready to Leave Their Hotel Room After an After Show Visit They Both Grabbed Their Guitars and Seranaded Me By Singing an Ode To O'Tucky,that went:**O'Tucky-NO-Tucky OH! Don't Go Just Went O'Tucky OH! GOD BLESS BLAIR and GARY TOO They Brightened Thousands of Lives With Wonderful Ribald Performances.It Was Indeed My Pleasure To Have Known Both Lads. CHEERS: OTucky MacLean - Posted by: O'Tucky MacLean (Aquaintance/Friend/&-Fan) on: Jun 04, 2015

• I remember Blair because of Kevin. I taught Kevin in Grade 2 at Radisson School in Transcona. Blair came to my class often and sang and drew for the children and they loved it. He gave them a wonderful time aand even after 40 years I remember him fondly ...singing that duck song!!! what a dad he was!! - Posted by: Marilyn Hanssen (Acquaintance) on: Nov 01, 2008

• We are saddened by Blair's passing and wish to express our sincere sympathies to family members and friends. Luci & Bill Merritt Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico - Posted by: Luci Merritt (Friend) on: Nov 01, 2008

• We remember many good times with Blair and Gary when opening up for MacLean and MacLean in Toronto. We know that Gary will be greatly missed but they have a hell of a comedy team happening now in Heaven. Our best to the families G.P. and Chris Partland (Partland Brothers and Oliver Heaviside) - Posted by: George Partland (Friend) on: Nov 01, 2008