Bryan MacLean
September 25, 1946 – December 25, 1998
Bryan MacLean was a songwriter and guitarist best known for his work in the ’60s psychedelic garage rock band, Love. Formed in 1965, the group is known to have influenced such bands as the Damned, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and the Stone Roses. No less than Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant has called Love’s Forever Changes one of his favorite albums of all time. While growing up, MacLean envisioned a career as a traveling folk singer, but after seeing the Beatles in A Hard Day’s Night, he set his sights on rock music. Around 1964, he met Arthur Lee and within a year they would evolve into Love, get signed to Elektra Records, and begin releasing a trio of LPs that included Forever Changes, by many accounts, one of rock’s greatest albums. The band’s most significant records were “7 & 7 is,” “Hey Joe,” “My Little Red Book,” and the MacLean-penned, “Alone Again Or.” Love broke up in 1967, and MacLean, who had been struggling with drug addiction set out to turn his life around. He became a devout Christian, but continued to make music over the three decades. In later years, he lent a hand to the career of his half-sister Maria McKee and her band, Lone Justice. His “Don’t Toss Us Away,” is one of the stand-out tracks on their debut album. While planning a comeback in 1998, Bryan MacLean suffered a fatal heart attack on Christmas Day. He was 51.
What You Should Own
Can’t believe he is gone. My childhood friend and buddy. Always copying my drawings in class. Remember the red headed kid getting in trouble with me at school for laughing. His father died young of a heart attack too. We all went to the movies together in the village. Saw him in 1973, invited me to dinner at families house. Last time I saw him, if only I had known. So sad, won’t forget you Bryan!