It was late 1965 when Mike McClellan first took to the stage at the Troubadour. It was Sydney’s premier folk venue. Few among the audience that night would have been aware that they were witnessing the beginning of a career that would see the young man with the engaging tenor voice and remarkable guitar technique go on to become one of the most acclaimed singer, songwriter, guitarists of his generation.
And it is even less likely that they would have conceived of him still enchanting audiences in 2025. The depth and artistry of his writing, singing and playing has never waned across his long career. Not long before he recently retired from radio ABC broadcaster Richard Glover remarked, “Mike McClellan just gets better and better.”
Though seemingly ageless, and with no desire to stop performing, Mike has suggested that this tour will be the last long one he will undertake. The concerts will feature songs from his entire career: his classic 1974 hit Song and Dance Man, his second hit, the Vanda and Young produced The One I Love, I Wonder Who You’re Waiting For, a new song from a wonderful series of late career albums, to his powerful Letter To America from his 12th album for which Bob Dylan gave him permission to use one of his lines.
Steve Britt recently wrote, “McClellan is still the consummate performer – a wonderful singer, guitar player and songwriter who keeps the audience in the palm of his hand”.