Sunday, March 1, 2020

MARGARET MCLAREN


Researching information on Margaret McLaren is almost zilch, however, from what I have gleaned, is that she provided vocals for Johnny O'Keefe's backing band (The Stuart Park Showband) for a couple of years - 1972 - 74. In 1973 she recorded a duet with O'Keefe covering Inez and Charlie Foxx's 1969 hit ''Mockingbird''.  Released on the Festival label it reached the national charts top ten coming in at #8. Margaret McLaren did not release any other records which was a real shame because she was a powerhouse singer. In the 80s she was in Melbourne band Vocamotion playing the local pub scene. Any other info would be gladly welcomed. Cheers. Margaret died in 2024 aged 69.



20 comments:

  1. What an amazing person . I was lucky to work with Marg at the Balaclava hotel when she took on a management role . I hope she’s well David Baker

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  2. Margaret McLaren lived down the street for a number of years, a few doors away from where I grew up in Surrey Hills, Vic. She was a lovely lady, a real sweetheart and, as you said, a powerhouse singer. I used to sometimes babysit her three children, John, Jessie and Holly (in order from eldest to youngest), since she would work nights. There was a few of us locals who did that for her. Sometimes we would just lob on over to her place since the company was always good. Went to see her and her group, Vocamotion, a couple of times in Richmond (I don't recall the name of the venue). Stunningly precise harmonies, huge voices and a dynamic range that is rare. Lost touch when I moved away in the late 80's, don't know how long she continued living there. I have good memories of her as a warm, kind woman who liked to share a laugh and a dry and dry on a hot summer afternoon. I came across this blog because I was wondering what had become of her and was searching around. She had gone through a separation during those years and I recall she reverted to her original name, Green (or is it Greene?) but I don't know if she made it official (all that paperwork). Not sure that contributes much to information about her singing career but thought it worth mentioning that Margaret was one of those people you always fondly remember.

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    1. Any additional info is worth its weight in gold. Thankyou for your comments

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    2. Oops... I got the surnames backwards... fading memories. McLarren was her maiden name and Greene was her married name and at the time she had Greene as her "official" name and reverted to McLarren but there was a lot of paperwork chaos involved which was a bothersome nuisance so she almost did not change it.

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  3. I was her best man at her wedding to John Greene when she moved to Summerlea Rd Mt Dandenong in the 70’s
    She subsequently seperated and moved to Surrey Hills
    With her 3 children that was the last time I saw her
    Would love to catch up
    Cheers

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    1. I was a good friend of John’s in high school. A couple of years later I used to see Margaret frequently performing in the band at the pub in Dandenong near the station. I once jokingly asked her in front of my friends to marry me, and she went along with the joke and said of course she would. That must have been ‘71. A year or two later, I was out with some friends and John showed up with Margaret on his arm. I I never knew they got married but it doesn’t surprise me. She was great, just a very kind and good natured person with a hell of a voice.

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  4. Margaret & I go back many years. St kilda Cheer Squad days !!
    I was the club president. Lots of fun days. It was a great surprise to hear her beautiful singing voice. Fond memories. Darryl Kelly
    darryl.kelly3@bigpond.com

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    1. That's great as I'm a saints supporter!!

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  5. I'm one of Marg's 7 grandkids! She's doing great, she doesn't work in music anymore, and retired form her corporate jobs a few years ago now. She's still a huge Saints supporter, and all of us love her very dearly!

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  6. If anyone would like to get in touch with Margaret, I am her daughter in-law. Please email me at belindamclaren@hotmail.com

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  7. Hi It's me Margaret McLaren. My sister told me about this post and I would like to say thank you for all the lovely comments. Yes I went on to have a wonderful career in music working for 15 years in a vocal group called Vocamotion. We had 3 regular gigs a week - Lemon Tree Hotel in Carlton, Park Royal on St Kilda Rd and the Balaclava Hotel in Balaclava where I later did hotel management. From these gigs we picked up a lot of corporate gigs and private functions, which is what bought up the 3 beautiful children. They are now 48 - 47 - 46 OOUCH and I have 7 grandchildren. I have retired now after a wonderful career in IT. If you would like to make contact my e-mail is margmcl22@gmail.com

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    1. Dear Margaret, I dont know if its you, but I have been racking my brain about a great Aussie singer from the early 70s ( I was a tween), I remember seeing on B&W tv on Komotion or Happening70/71, may have been GTK not sure, but I remember it being an Aussie girl with a supper powerful voice, and when she sang, she had long frizzy hair and she use to toss her head about and her hair would go everywhere, I recall she had a prominent (sophisticated) nose....:). Was that you? There are quite a few utoob Aussie music channels with the old B&W clips.....I know there seems to be no clips of you, SO the Q is, was that you with the frizzy long hair on tv or am I dreaming? If so, can you remember the tv show and song? Song of these channels may have you hidden away somewhere. PS I always thought it may have been Rene, but pretty sure it wasnt....btw, her early clips on on the toob too. Hope you read this.....

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    2. Hey Margaret not sure how I stumbled across this thread but glad I did - nice to hear how your life has unfolded - wonderful!! I went to school with you at MLC Elsternwick all those years ago - half a century!!$ go well - Leanne B

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    3. Hi Margaret. My name is Barbara Hand, ( my maiden name ) and used to work at the Waltzing Matilda Hotel. We struck up a friendship 50 years ago. I remember you paid for a plane ticket for me to come and watch you perform in Sydney which you put on Johnny O’Keefes account.
      The hotel you were in was in Kings Cross.I also remember there was a guy in the band that fancied me.
      I would love to have a quick chat with you if possible to talk about old times, I’m 71 now, lost mt husband of 36 years two years ago.I have a gorgeous son, Jack who is 33 years old.I know it’s a long time ago, but I hope I’ve jogged your memory
      Regards,
      Barbara Higgins

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  8. Ann and Russell WilliamsSeptember 1, 2023 at 11:26 PM

    Hi Margaret, Russell and I remember you from the early days when you used to sing at the parties the Southern Cross Bowl crowd used to have. We are still friends with Sue. Love your version of Mockingbird.

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  9. Hi Margaret. I was there at the shed beside the train track the night you came to try out for the band. You were in your school uniform and hair in pig tails. I was just wondering about you so I looked you up. I always wondered if you married John Greene and you did. So after listening to the 2 guys and yourself, reading all this. I just thought I’d say hi. You made a great life and career. Funny, after the singer and I split, I sorta went same way, started waitressing and ended up managing clubs. Anyway just thought I’d let you know that I for one have not forgotten. Take care. Julie

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  10. Sadly Margaret passed away on Wednesday 7th February 2024. Our condolences to all her family.
    A beautiful lady, a wonderful friend & always an absolute joy to be around.
    She will be sadly missed. May she forever rest in peace. Love enclosed

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  11. FYI...

    MCLAREN, Margaret Jane.
    08/02/2024
    Publication: Herald Sun
    Date Listed: 13/2/2024
    Location: Melbourne
    22/5/1954 – 8/2/2024

    Peacefully passed away with loved ones. Loving Mother to John, Jesse & Holly, sister to Sue and Grandie to Emily, Matthew, Cassie, Joshua, Lachie, Nathan and Charlotte, and a dear friend to many. Adored by all.

    She touched so many people’s lives with her larger than life personality, contagious smile, amazing voice, kindness, warmth and great sense of humour.

    As per Margaret’s request, there will not be a funeral service.

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    1. Very sad news. Thankyou for informing me

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  12. Hello all - further to all of the comments above (I am so glad Marg got to read them all before she passed away!) if anyone has any further requests for any information, her 3 children will gladly provide any knowledge they have.

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