Linda McLean

Linda McLean (born in Belleville, Ontario, in 1957) is a Canadian musician, singer and songwriter. McLean's first international performance was at the 2001 Rockrgrl Festival in Seattle. She has two albums to her credit: Betty's Room (2003) and No Language (2005). McLean is said to have picked up her first guitar at age 9 and age 12 formed an acoustic quartet. Her first public performance was in a local church basement.

McLean is said to have picked up her first guitar at age 9 and age 12 formed an acoustic quartet. Her first public performance was in a local church basement. She sites her main musical influences from this time as Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and the musicals of Rogers and Hammerstein. She attended Centennial Secondary School where she was influenced by Canadian singer songwriters Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Bruce Cockburn.

After her first marriage dissolved in 1984, McLean attained a Bachelor of Arts from York University and worked professionally in the theatre and film community for more than a decade. She taught acting at Leah Poslun's Theatre and Theatre for Young People and developed Artist in the Schools programs with the Ontario Arts Council.

McLean's first international performance was at the 2001 Rockrgrl Festival in Seattle. Her first full length album, Betty's Room, co-written with partner Andy McLean, and produced by music veteran and friend John Whynot, featured drummer Gary Craig and Blue Rodeo sideman Bob Egan. Its independent release in 2002 established McLean as a noteworthy Canadian songwriter, achieving critical acclaim and airplay across Canada. It was released commercially in 2003.

In 2005 McLean released 12 new songs on her album entitled No Language.