BS: Obit Voice of Rugby Bill Mclaren (Jan 2010)

Subject: RE: BS: Obit Voice of Rugby Bill Mclaren (Jan 2010)
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 06:54 PM

He raised the standard of sports commentary to a level that few will ever achieve with his consistency.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit Voice of Rugby Bill Mclaren (Jan 2010)
From: paula t
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 06:42 PM

He set the standard for others to aspire to. Too many commentators spend their time building up young "stars" then knocking them down when they make a mistake, in an attempt to be the "pundit" everyone listens to. They try to influence the game, teams and management rather than commentating on matches .

A very intelligent and informative person , he never forgot that Rugby is supposed to be a "Gentleman's game", rather than a matter of life and death, and always kept things in perspective.

R.I.P. Bill

Subject: RE: BS: Obit Voice of Rugby Bill Mclaren (Jan 2010)
From: goatfell
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 01:23 PM

i liked him because he was fair in his commentry

Subject: RE: BS: Obit Voice of Rugby Bill Mclaren (Jan 2010)
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 05:21 AM

I hope this link comes up on the right page, as it seems that 'newspapers-on-line' seem to update all the time, rather than leave certain articles up. It *is* coming up as the correct page when I tested it just now, so fingers crossed...

Bill - Extract from his autobiography

Subject: RE: BS: Obit Voice of Rugby Bill Mclaren (Jan 2010)
From: Hrothgar
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 02:28 AM

A treasured memory is Bill broadcasting the matches of the 1971 Lions tour of NZ. Had the perfect touch.

RIP

Subject: RE: BS: Obit Voice of Rugby Bill Mclaren (Jan 2010
From: Gervase
Date: 21 Jan 10 - 03:26 AM

Very sad to hear of his passing. For me it's the voice of Saturday afternoons, and will always be associated with being a teenager and watching the great Welsh players of the day - somehow his gentle Scots burr made Barry John and JPR Williams sound even more musical.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit Voice of Rugby Bill Mclaren (Jan 2010)
From: scouse
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 11:13 AM

Alas "Rugby." will never be the same. To hear him waxing lyrical about the "All Blacks." was a simple joy to hear. Rest in peace Bill.
As Aye,

Phil.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit Bill Mclaren
From: Teribus
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 01:40 AM

Very sorry to hear the news, the big man will be greatly missed, although most who post, and will post, to this thread will have known Bill McLaren as the BBC's "Voice of Rugby", I will always remember him in his other role, the one he regarded as his "real" job, as a teacher, who taught and instilled in me my love of the game of rugby football.

My thoughts are with those he has let behind.

Rest In Peace.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit Bill Mclaren
From: gnu
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 08:33 PM

Odd how someone who you never met and "just does" the sports commentary can have such an impact, innit? Even if that is all you ever heard them do... their ability to bring the game to life is truly an art.

I hope he is resting well "under the posts" of that big game in the sky.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit Bill Mclaren
From: Lox
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 07:18 PM

"a little shilly shally there from the big man ..."

"and its a plum line ..."

Another golden voice from my youth silenced.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit Bill Mclaren
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 01:14 PM

He will be remembered for all the right reasons.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit Bill Mclaren
From: GUEST, Sminky
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 12:28 PM

Eddie Waring, John Arlott, Kenneth Wolstenholme and now Bill McLaren.

Thanks gentlemen - it really was a pleasure. RIP.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit Bill Mclaren
From: HuwG
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 12:28 PM

Awww. Yes, I too have fond memories of his idiosyncratic accent but faultless accuracy and absolute neutrality when commentating.

I recall that many years ago he did a spoof commentary on BBC Radio 4 for some charity. He rattled his way through some thirty impossibly convoluted Polynesian names without once hesitating, or deviating.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit Bill Mclaren
From: GUEST,Seaking
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 12:27 PM

Very sad, one of the great voices and a gifted communicator.

Chris

Subject: BS: Obit Bill Mclaren
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 11:15 AM

Just heard that Bill Mclaren, the voice of Rugby, has died. His voice really was music to my ears, in the John Arlott class. 'They'll be dancing in the streets of Elysia tonight'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1244451/Voice-Rugby-Bill-McLaren-dead-aged-86.html