Fleetwood Mac: A melodious saga of love, music, and transformation

by Dave Anthony

Host, Garage to Stadiums Podcast

Step into the whirlwind journey of Fleetwood Mac, where relationships intertwine, songwriting flourishes, and musical evolution knows no bounds. We delve deep into the band's captivating narrative with Mark Blake, a distinguished music writer, and author of the upcoming book Dreams: The A to Z of Fleetwood Mac, a master storyteller who has chronicled the tales of iconic bands like The Who, Led Zeppelin, and Queen.

Picture this: a plot straight out of a gripping soap opera, where band members forge romantic connections, battle with addiction, weather breakups, and witness a revolving door of musical talent. And at the heart of it all lies Fleetwood Mac, a band synonymous with drama and musical brilliance.

But let's rewind to the genesis of it all, back to 1967 in England. Mark takes us on a journey through time, where English bands like the Rolling Stones and Fleetwood Mac found inspiration in the raw blues of black American artists like  Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Howlin’ Wolf. The era birthed guitar legends like Eric Clapton and Peter Green, the founding force behind Fleetwood Mac's bluesy beginnings.

Yet, the band's story doesn't stop there. It's a tale of three distinct eras:

Era 1:  1967-1969 - The English Blues Period

Fleetwood Mac was founded by Peter Green, who grew up as Peter Greenbaum the son of a Jewish butcher in East London.  Fueled by his love for blues, Green steered Fleetwood Mac toward a mission of sharing this soul-stirring music with the world. The blues period is typified from the 1960s.But as the band delved deeper into their sound, Green's personal struggles with drugs led to a tumultuous period of transition.

Era 2: 1970-1974 - Transitioning to a US Focus and Mainstream Rock Style

Amidst lineup changes and unexpected departures, Fleetwood Mac found themselves embracing a mainstream rock style. With the addition of Christine McVie (nee Perfect) who was in a band called Chicken Shack  (seen here performing the Etta James classic I’d Rather Go Blind) and American guitarist Bob Welch, the band's sound began to evolve, hinting at the harmonious future that awaited them.  Christine and Bob began to gel as a writing team with songs like Sands of Time where you can begin to hear some of the vocal harmonies that foretell the future Fleetwood Mac. While the band attained modest US success, it was all but forgotten as an English band. 

Era 3: 1975 to Present Day - The Fab 5 Era and BeyondIn a serendipitous encounter at a grocery store, drummer Mick Fleetwood stumbled upon the talents of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks who themselves had an album called Buckingham Nicks.  Little did he know, this chance meeting would catapult Fleetwood Mac to unprecedented heights. With a lineup we dubbed in the episode as the "Fab 5," the band crafted timeless hits that resonated with audiences worldwide. 

The first album by the newly combined group entitled Fleetwood Mac yielded radio hits like Rhiannon seen here in a scorching live performance from NBC’s music show Midnight Special - (stay tuned to mid part to hear Lindsey play some serious guitar and and about the 4:40 mark to Stevie start to rock the house with her voice) and Landslide both written by Stevie Nicks and Say You Love Me and Over My Head written by Christine McVie. 

Amidst the musical triumphs, Fleetwood Mac's journey was not without its share of challenges. Mark Blake paints a vivid portrait of the band's dynamic personalities, fueled by passion, tension, and the occasional thrown drink. Yet, from this cauldron of creativity emerged Rumours, an album born from chaos yet etched into the annals of music history.

Stevie and Lindsey: A tale of love, rivalry, and resilience

And what of Stevie and Lindsey, the iconic duo whose love story unfolded amidst the harmonies and heartaches of Fleetwood Mac? Their fiery dynamic transcended the music, weaving a tale of love, rivalry, and artistic synergy that continues to captivate audiences to this day.

As we bid farewell to the original lineup of Fleetwood Mac with the recent death of Christine McVie, the legacy they leave behind is nothing short of extraordinary. With over 120 million albums sold and a string of Billboard hits, their music remains a timeless treasure cherished by music lovers across generations. So, let's raise a toast to Fleetwood Mac, the band whose journey transcended mere music, leaving an indelible mark on the fabric of rock 'n' roll.