R.I.P. Danny McClain, Grand Ulena Drummer

By Annie Zaleski Tue., Mar. 29 2011 at 3:41 PM

Danny McClain

[Update, 10;43 a.m. March 30: Funeral/visitation arrangements and information on a benefit can be found here.]

Danny McClain, a long-time local drummer in numerous bands and projects, including Johnny Angel and Grand Ulena, has died. No further details are known at this time. McClain's musical talents preceded him. He's collaborated and performed with countless musicians in the local noise and experimental community both locally (Dave Stone, Chris Smentkowski, Raglani) and outside of St. Louis (John Wiese). Grand Ulena was perhaps his most well-known project, an instrumental trio featuring Darin Gray and Chris Trull that was well-respected in experimental circles. In 2003, RFT writer John Goddard described McClain as "a whip-smart percussionist whose rhythmic fury is equaled by a command of dynamics that approaches the human voice in its expressiveness."

We'll update this post when we know more.

Grand Ulena live, 2002

Brain Transplant

Brain Transplant the movie. Extended trailer. from joseph raglani on Vimeo.

Tags:

danny mcclain, drummer, grand ulena, r.i.p.

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Mary Ann Starr

My name is Mary Ann Starr and I am Danny's sister. I'd like to provide some information about his death so everyone knows more about what happened. When a young man dies some people immediately think maybe drugs played a part - this was NOT the case with my brother.

Danny had been sick with the flu (diagnosed on 3/24) and took a sharp turn for the worse on Monday afternoon. He was jaundiced (his skin had a yellowish tint) and his lips were dusky. I called an ambulance and he was still responsive when EMTs arrived - although he was very groggy and lethergic. He suddenly stopped responding to questions and the EMT who was assessing him lost his pulse. He laid Danny on our kitchen floor and started CPR. They moved Danny to the ambulance and worked on him for a little while longer, and then they took him to St John's Mercy ER where they continued to try to save his life. They could not restart his heart and my brother was pronounced dead at 5:28 pm, Monday March 28th. He was 31 years old. He was autopsied the next day and the preliminary ME report indicates that he had narrowed coronary arteries (runs very strongly in our family) and his flu had progressed to pneumonia. The official cause of death has not been determined; I'm told that in approximately 4 weeks after toxicology testing is completed I can call back for more details and an official cause of death.

My father, my children and I are heartbroken. We're absolutely in shock and disbelief. Danny & I's mother died suddenly and unexpectedly 4 years ago and we never thought we would have to bury another loved one so soon - especially someone as young and apparently healthy as Danny. He will be loved & missed every second of every day for as long as I live.

Perhaps this post can be updated with the information I've shared. Thank you very much.

~Mary Ann Starr

KatH.

My God, Mary Ann. we are very close friends with a member of B.T., and received this notificationfrom him. I'm so glad your message was posted. Unfortunately, we both assumed"oh, a musician. must be drugs." as you mentioned. What an excruciating truth you've revealed about your brother. What a devastating loss. I am so so sorry for you; and for the so many people who knew him. (includingmy tiny dog, who was well loved by Danny, along with some lucky stray cats -- as I just learned from our friend, ) Surely all were blessed by his Life and his Light.My heart and prayers are with you, and your family, and your late mother.So sudden. So overwhelming. So so sad.