Fleetwood Mac Biography
Who are Fleetwood Mac, and why are they crucial to pop music? They are a British American rock group that has influenced generations with music and history that blended blues roots with radio friendly melodies and private angst into lasting art.
The name Fleetwood Mac was chosen by guitarist Peter Green as a salute to drummer Mick Fleetwood and bassist John McVie. Date and location of birth July 1967, London, England, when Green left John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers and surrounded himself with Fleetwood on drums, McVie on bass and on slide bass guitar Jeremy Spencer, later bringing in teen prodigy Danny Kirwan.
Family roots in the musical world, the group sprang from British blues scenes and a close rhythm unit that provided the group with its heartbeat for more than a half-century.
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Christine Perfect, already known for her performances with Chicken Shack, was married to John McVie and in 1970 came aboard as Christine McVie on keys and vocals, bringing warmth and sophistication.
The family was completed again in 1974 when Los Angeles duo Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks came aboard the group, a situation that directed the group away from club tested blues towards sparkling pop rock. Education was on the road and in recording studios and not in classrooms.
The original formation learned on the road and at Chess Studios in Chicago with Willie Dixon, Buddy Guy and Otis Spann, steeping themselves in American blues inflections and feel. They later fine-tuned studio sensibilities at Sound City in California, where build up harmonies, finger style guitars and refined keys were staples.
Career has distinct periods. The Peter Green years brought British chart hits such as Albatross, Man of the World and Oh Well, and the dark The Green Manalishi, followed by his departure in 1970.
Change of direction albums with Kirwan, Christine McVie and Bob Welch led on through Future Games, Bare Trees, Penguin, Mystery to Me and Heroes Are Hard to Find. The California period began when Buckingham and Nicks came aboard at year’s end, 1974.
The self titled Fleetwood Mac album in 1975 broke the group wide with Rhiannon, Say You Love Me and Landslide. In 1977 came Rumours, a virtually perfect set of confessionals and hooks that topped charts internationally.
Tusk in 1979 followed innovation over repetition, merging experimental fringes and parade band. Mirage in 1982 and Tango in 1987 returned to slim, pop bright radio with Gypsy, Everywhere, Little Lies and Big Love.
When Buckingham resigned in 1987, the group went on with Rick Vito and Billy Burnette and delivered Behind the Mask and Time. The classic five reunited for The Dance in 1997, a glorious concert document that reestablished their greatness.
Say You Will came thereafter in 2003 with Buckingham and Nicks at the lead, and in 2018 came on board Mike Campbell and Neil Finn following Buckingham’s exit as the group traveled arenas again.
Major milestones include more than 120 million records sold, a Grammy for Album of the Year for Rumours, a sidewalk star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music and the Recording Academy’s MusiCares Person of the Year accolade.
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Rumours is one of history’s best selling albums, while songs such as Dreams, Go Your Own Way, The Chain and Do not Stop are core repertoire for the ages. Major events in people’s lives are incorporated into the music.
The group overcame the 1974 name controversy that for a short while substituted another group on tour under their name. The recording for Rumours took place simultaneously with the Buckingham and Nicks and the McVies’ respective break-ups, frictions that spurred the words and performances.
Lineup changes were a frequently occurring fixture, such as Buckingham exits in 1987 and 2018 and Christine McVie quitting in 1998 and returning in 2014. Founding vegetarian and founder lead guitarist Peter Green passed away in 2020 and Christine McVie passed away in 2022, occasions that closed pages for the extended fleetwood mac family.
Even with the streaming era the group again and again discovers fresh fans, as a viral flurry on behalf for Dreams boosted Rumours higher up the charts, testaments that genuine songs and human tales travel far.
Contents
- 1 Fleetwood Mac Top songs
- 2 Fleetwood Mac Discography
- 3 Fleetwood Mac Top albums
- 4 Fleetwood Mac Awards
- 5 Fleetwood Mac Singles
- 6 Fleetwood Mac FAQs
- 6.1 1) Who founded Fleetwood Mac?
- 6.2 2) Why is the band called Fleetwood Mac?
- 6.3 3) Who are the classic Rumours era members?
- 6.4 4) What is their best-selling album?
- 6.5 5) Are Fleetwood Mac still active?
- 6.6 6) What were their early hits before Rumours?
- 6.7 7) What are their biggest US hits?
- 6.8 8) Why did the lineup change so often?
- 6.9 9) What makes The Chain special?
- 6.10 10) Where should a new listener start?
Fleetwood Mac Top songs
- Dreams
- Go Your Own Way
- The Chain
- Rhiannon
- Landslide
- Do not Stop
- Gypsy
- Sara
- Little Lies
- Everywhere
- Big Love
- Tusk
- Albatross
- Oh Well
- The Green Manalishi
- You Make Loving Fun
- Say You Love Me
- Silver Springs
- Second Hand News
- Songbird
Fleetwood Mac Discography
- Fleetwood Mac 1968
- Mr Wonderful 1968
- Then Play On 1969
- Kiln House 1970
- Future Games 1971
- Bare Trees 1972
- Penguin 1973
- Mystery to Me 1973
- Heroes Are Hard to Find 1974
- Fleetwood Mac 1975
- Rumours 1977
- Tusk 1979
- Mirage 1982
- Tango in the Night 1987
- Behind the Mask 1990
- Time 1995
- Say You Will 2003
Fleetwood Mac Top albums
- Rumours 1977
A masterclass in melody, harmony and bare truth that turned private turmoil into communal anthems. - Fleetwood Mac 1975
The California reset that introduced the Buckingham and Nicks spark and delivered Rhiannon and Landslide. - Then Play On 1969
A lyrical, guitar rich bridge from blues to expansive rock, showcasing Peter Green and Danny Kirwan. - Tusk 1979
Restless and adventurous, it trades safe repetition for studio ingenuity and bold ideas. - Tango in the Night 1987
Shimmering late era pop with Little Lies, Everywhere and Big Love keeping the band chart dominant. - Mirage 1982
A smoother turn that still glows with Gypsy and Hold Me. - Bare Trees 1972
Atmospheric and tuneful, an early sign of the band’s pivot toward melody and mood.
Fleetwood Mac Awards
- Grammy Award Album of the Year for Rumours
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction
- Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music
- MusiCares Person of the Year honor
- Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Fleetwood Mac Singles
| Year | Single | UK Peak | US Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | I Believe My Time Ain’t Long | — | — |
| 1968 | Black Magic Woman | 37 | — |
| 1968 | Shake Your Moneymaker | — | — |
| 1968 | Need Your Love So Bad | 31 | — |
| 1968 | Albatross | 1 | — |
| 1969 | Man of the World | 2 | — |
| 1969 | Oh Well | 2 | 55 |
| 1969 | Rattlesnake Shake | — | — |
| 1970 | The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown) | 10 | — |
| 1970 | Tell Me All the Things You Do | — | — |
| 1971 | Jewel Eyed Judy | — | — |
| 1971 | Dragonfly | 52 | — |
| 1971 | Sands of Time | — | — |
| 1972 | Sentimental Lady | — | — |
| 1973 | Remember Me | — | — |
| 1973 | Did You Ever Love Me | — | — |
| 1973 | For Your Love | — | — |
| 1974 | Heroes Are Hard to Find | — | — |
| 1975 | Over My Head | — | 20 |
| 1975 | Warm Ways | — | — |
| 1976 | Rhiannon | 46 | 11 |
| 1976 | Say You Love Me | 40 | 11 |
| 1977 | Go Your Own Way | 38 | 10 |
| 1977 | Dreams | 24 | 1 |
| 1977 | Don’t Stop | 32 | 3 |
| 1977 | You Make Loving Fun | 45 | 9 |
| 1979 | Tusk | 6 | 8 |
| 1979 | Sara | 37 | 7 |
| 1980 | Not That Funny | — | — |
| 1980 | Think About Me | — | 20 |
| 1980 | Sisters of the Moon | — | 86 |
| 1980 | Angel | — | — |
| 1981 | Fireflies | 60 | 59 |
| 1981 | The Farmer’s Daughter | — | — |
| 1982 | Hold Me | 94 | 4 |
| 1982 | Gypsy | 46 | 12 |
| 1982 | Love in Store | 22 | — |
| 1982 | Oh Diane | 9 | — |
| 1983 | Can’t Go Back | 83 | — |
| 1987 | Big Love | 9 | 5 |
| 1987 | Seven Wonders | 56 | 19 |
| 1987 | Little Lies | 5 | 4 |
| 1987 | Everywhere | 4 | 14 |
| 1987 | Family Man | 54 | 90 |
| 1988 | Isn’t It Midnight | 60 | 14 |
| 1988 | As Long as You Follow | 66 | 43 |
| 1990 | Save Me | 53 | 33 |
| 1990 | Love Is Dangerous | — | — |
| 1990 | Skies the Limit | — | — |
| 1990 | In the Back of My Mind | 58 | — |
| 1990 | Hard Feelings | — | — |
| 1992 | Love Shines | — | — |
| 1992 | Paper Doll | — | — |
| 1995 | I Do | — | — |
| 1997 | Silver Springs (live) | — | — |
| 1997 | Temporary One (live) | — | — |
| 1997 | The Chain (live) | — | 30 |
| 1998 | Landslide (live) | 51 | — |
| 2003 | Peacekeeper | — | 80 |
| 2003 | Say You Will | — | — |
| 2013 | Sad Angel | — | — |
Note: “—” = did not chart on that national singles chart.
Source: Chart peaks compiled from the Fleetwood Mac discography singles table, which lists UK (Official Charts) and US (Billboard Hot 100) peaks.