The Killers: Tim McClelland plays drums for US rockers at Townsville concert

A mad music fan ascended to legendary rockstar status for a night when he was tapped on the shoulder to play drums for The Killers in Townsville.

Tim McClelland, who plays drums for country singer Luke Geiger, on stage with The Killers in front of 18,000 concertgoers in Townsville on Saturday night. Picture: Supplied

A mad music fan ascended from relative obscurity to legendary rockstar status for a night when he was tapped on the shoulder to play drums for The Killers in front of 18,000 screaming concertgoers in Townsville on Saturday night.

Tim McClelland, a professional percussionist from Mackay, said he took a punt prior to the concert and prepared a sign asking Killers frontman Brandon Flowers if he could perform ‘For Reasons Unknown’ while versatile drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr switched to guitar.

“It was really fun, there were no nerves, no fear it was just pure fun and excitement,” he said.

“The crowd was incredible, just sitting there behind the kit hearing them roar and being behind Brandon Flowers and Ronnie playing the guitar it was just unbelievable.”

Tim McClelland, a professional percussionist from Mackay, said he took a punt prior to the concert and prepared a sign asking The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers if he could perform ‘For Reasons Unknown’ while versatile drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr switched to guitar. Picture: Supplied

The owner of Tim McClelland Drum Tuition revealed that he had been a Killers fan since they dropped their first acclaimed album ‘Hot Fuss’ in 2004, “the same year that I started learning the drums”.

“I sort of grew up and learned the instrument while I was listening to their first album and so a lot of my playing was influenced by that and the early stuff they did,” he said.

“So to actually sit there and play with them was absolutely incredible.”

Tim McClelland playing drums on The Killers Song ‘For Reasons Unknown’ with frontman Brandon Flowers and Ronnie Vannucci Jr who switched to guitar. Picture: Cameron Bates

McClelland, who plays drums for country singer Luke Geiger, received a standing ovation for his unscripted, unrehearsed performance.

“As we were leaving the venue last night, a lot of people – because I was still holding my green sign – were stopping me, congratulating me, patting me on the back, shaking me by the hand and taking selfies,” he said.

“I definitely felt like a rock star.”

McClelland said there were similarities to the character played by Mark Wahlberg in the movie Rock Star.

“I’m living it,” he laughed.

“I was very lucky, and I feel very grateful that I got picked out to get up on stage; it was absolute once-in-a-lifetime stuff.”

He said he had already spoken to Geiger about the performance.

“I said to Luke ‘, We better start booking some bigger shows here, mate; I’ve got the taste for it now’.”

Originally published as The Killers: Tim McClelland plays drums for US rockers at Townsville concert