With the first act for the 2015 IW Festival being announced here is the low down on Fleetwood Mac:
Alan writes:
For 47 years Fleetwood Mac has ridden the musical roller coaster with myriad changes of personnel over that period.
In its original incarnation blues guitarist Peter Green (real name Peter Greenbaum) recruited drummer Mick Fleetwood to form his blues-tinged combo, in July 1967.
Originally dubbed Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, they made their debut in Windsor a month later.
Eventually Peter persuaded bass player John Mc Vie to join his band. In early studio recordings Christine Perfect was occasionally called upon to play piano. Soon John and Christine married each other.
Early successful single releases included ‘Oh Well’, ‘Man of the World’ and the melodic instrumental ‘Albatross’ which was their sole number one hit.
At the time that the awesome single ‘The Green Manalishi’ was attracting interest in mid 1970 Peter Green quit, reportedly unable to handle the group’s and his own fame. Enter Christine Mc Vie.
Come 1974 the group relocated to California with drummer Mick Fleetwood taking on the mantle of manager. At this juncture Mick recruited both guitarist Lindsey Buckingham and his belle Stevie Nicks. It was a case of both or neither joining the band.
During recordings in 1977 Fleetwood Mac was in a state of flux. Personal relationships crumbled and affairs were rife. Despite these upheavals they managed to produce the all-conquering multi-million selling album ‘Rumours’.
It was the first of their four Number 1 albums and produced four hit singles; ‘Go Your Own Way’. ‘Don’t Stop’, ‘Dreams’ and ‘You Make Loving Fun’.
Another track ‘The Chain’ is beloved by BBC Grand Prix motor racing fans. It was a favourite of World Champion James Hunt, who had suggested the programme he appeared on with Murray Walker adopt the song as its theme tune.
Producing a follow-up album was a tall order. ‘Tusk’ was the result and despite much criticism gave the group their second chart topper.
Ten years after the success of ‘Rumours’ they returned to form with another Number 1 album ‘Tango in the Night’.
Their last big album was ‘Behind the Mask’ in 1990.In 1998 they received a BRIT award for ‘A Lifetime Achievement.’
Fast forward to 2015 when on the 14th June at Seaclose Park, Newport Fleetwood Mac will make their only festival appearance of the year. With the reunited Christine Mc Vie in the stellar line up that produced ‘Rumours’ 38 years earlier, it promises to be a seminal moment. John Giddings’ Midas Touch has returned.