Fleetwood Mac biography

But Green's departure seriously unsettled Fleetwood Mac. The remaining quartet of Fleetwood, McVie, Spencer and Danny Kirwan (who had joined a couple of years previously) went on to record the forgettable album Kiln House in 1970 before adding ex Chicken Shack singer/pianist Christine Perfect (who later married John McVie). But the band stability didn't last long. The next casualty was Jeremy Spencer who departed the band in bizarre circumstances. He went missing while the band were on tour in LA. When Mick Fleetwood eventually tracked him down, Spencer was found living with a religious cult The Children Of God, and informed Fleetwood that he wouldn't be rejoining the band.

With a nucleus of John McVie, Mick Fleetwood and Christine Perfect, and various rotating members, the band recorded five albums in the years 1971-1974, trying to move away from their blues blueprint. But none of the albums had any major impact and their plight was worsened by a rival touring act, also called Fleetwood Mac, formed by their former manager Clifford Davis. Lengthy litigation eventually resolved the issue. But in 1974 the band were ready to throw in the towel. They decided to move to LA and the band made the career-saving decision to hire girlfriend/boyfriend team Lindsey Buckingham (a studio maestro) and Stevie Nicks, a willowy, sexy siren who seemed to epitomise the longing and dreaminess of LA rock. The new band lineup instantly gelled, resulting in 1975's Fleetwood Mac album. Their highly melodic, airbrushed pop rock spawned two hit singles in Rhiannon (Will You Ever Win) and Say You Love Me. But while the band may have been fuelling their creative juices, their personal relationships were falling apart. John and Christine McVie divorced in 1976 while Buckingham and Nicks had split acrimoniously. Meanwhile Mick Fleetwood was in the process of divorcing his wife. But instead of imploding, the band channelled their personal turmoil into writing songs, creating one of the most phenomenally successful records of all time. A skilfully crafted collection of melodic songs about love and heartbreak, every track on 1977's Rumours album, From Go Your Own Way to Don't Stop, gave a different perspective on breaking-up. It remains the ultimate 'adult orientated rock' album and was described by Buckingham as 'a soap opera on vinyl.' Worldwide sales eventually topped 15m and it would go on to rival Michael Jackson's Thriller as the best selling album of all time.

Inevitably, 1979's follow-up album, Tusk, was an anti-climax. Reputedly costing £1m in studio time, the lengthy double album was hit-and-miss although the Stevie Nicks penned ballad Sara was a hit. Follow up album, 1982's Mirage received a lukewarm reception from the critics but hit the US No.1 spot anyway.

During the 80s each member, except John McVie released solo albums. Mick Fleetwood recorded with Ghanian musicians for 1981's The Visitor but it was Nicks who would become a solo superstar as 1981 album Belladonna hit the top of the US charts followed by Wild Heart in 1983. The band reformed in 1987 for the Tango In The Night album and again, although the critical response was tepid, the album would become a huge success, spawning the hit singles Little Lies, Big Love and Everywhere. But it would be Buckingham's last album as shortly after he quit the band due to escalating tensions with Stevie Nicks.

With Rick Vito and Billy Burnett drafted in as replacements the band released the Behind The Mask album in 1990 but it sounded liked Buckingham's influence was sorely missed. But despite a critical mauling, the album still went to No.1 in the US although it failed to produce any hit singles. Stevie Nicks was the next member to bail out after a disagreement with Fleetwood following the publication of his autobiography. Buckingham and Nicks rejoined the band to play at US President Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1993 but it was strictly a one-off and ex-Traffic man Dave Mason and Bekka Bramlett were hired for 1995 album Time. The album was received with critical indifference, signalling time on the band's illustrious career. But with this band's chequered career, who'd rule out a return of the Mac?