For 30 years he worked at a series of nightclubs housed in a former bus depot at the corner of First Avenue and 7th Street in downtown Minneapolis, promoting the careers of local musicians and expanding the reach of talent from around the world.

[5] McClellan worked for the Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (MPIRG) and wanted to join Ralph Nader's organization.

[8] In 1980 Allan Fingerhut regained control of the business, and hired the partnership of McClellan and Jack Meyers (and later Dan Lessard) to manage the club.

[5] Martin Keller describes McClellan's expansive bookings: "exotic Afro-pop, speed metal, funk, reggae, punk, pop, folk-rock, country rock, hip hop, and the occasional jazz and comedy acts".

[13] Chris Riemenschneider quotes McClellan, "It was so exciting in the early '80s to see Prince mix the audiences, the racial diversity he brought.

[16] As general manager, McClellan championed local talent and made performance space for Prince, Hüsker Dü, The Replacements, the Wallets, The Time, The Suburbs, Soul Asylum, and The Jayhawks.

[17] Remembering the era's wild west of settlement with artists, Frank Riley thought McClellan was one of perhaps three "really reliable" promoters in the United States.

[5][21] He has served on the boards of Cedar Cultural Center, KFAI radio, Minnesota Public Interest Research Group and the Downtown Warehouse Association.

[25] Despite his stated dislike of recordings, McClellan wrote the liner notes for The Bootlegs Volume 1: Celebrating 35 years of First Avenue, proceeds from which go to DEMO.