Like most British bands, Fleetwood Mac have a complex backstory based on band member changes and even different band names - they were known as The Bluesbreakers initially. But they must have some enduring quality, as the band is still going strong today, with a remastered 'Very Best Of...' album out in October 2009.
For those not yet familiar with the blues-based rock of Fleetwood Mac, let us start with the basics... Fleetwood Mac is not one person, but rather five band members. The name itself came from two of these - Mick Fleetwood and John McVie. They were later joined by Peter Green, Jeremy Spencer and Bob Brunning. After their first performance at Windsor's National Jazz And Blues Festival, the band went on to quickly release their first single, 'I Believe My Time Ain't Long' then their debut album, 'Mr Wonderful'. In 1968 they recorded an impressive four further albums and as a result became rather popular across the UK.
In 1970, Peter Green decided to leave the band just as they were about to embark on a European tour. Drugs were to blame and, if anything, Fleetwood Mac seemed to have a lucky escape, as Green had wanted to donate all their earnings to charity. Jeremy Spencer also left the band in an even more bizarre way... he joined a cult on a whim!
This was by no means the end of the band, though, as new band members came and left throughout the 70s, all the while not seeming to affect Fleetwood Mac's burgeoning popularity across the pond. Maybe this had something to do with the fact that the band's manager decided to send an entirely different band on the road - as Fleetwood Mac! The fans couldn't tell the difference and it stopped any more hiring/firing and arguments between real FM members. Genius!
The band moved to California in a bid to heal their rifts, however their were still two divorces to be filed (John and Christine McVie, and Mick and Mrs Fleetwood). Maybe it was this fact that John and Mick were single again that fuelled a chart-topping success for Fleetwood Mac in 1977 with 'Rumours', who knows, but their album also stayed at the top of the charts for six months, before eventually going platinum 20 times over, boasting tracks such as 'Don't Stop' and 'Go Your Own Way'.
During the 80s, the band released 'Mirage' and 'Tango In The Night', before pursuing their own personal projects. of course.
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Do You Remember Fleetwood Mac?
Do You Remember Fleetwood Mac?