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Fleetwood Mac facts for kids

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Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac Billboard 1977.jpg
Fleetwood Mac in 1977. From left to right: Mick Fleetwood, Christine McVie, John McVie, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham.
Background information
Also known as Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac (1967–1968)
Origin London, England
Genres
Years active
  • 1967–1995
  • 1997–2022
Labels
Past members

Fleetwood Mac were a famous British and American rock band. They started in London in 1967. Over time, the band sold more than 120 million records around the world. This made them one of the world's best-selling musical acts. Their 1977 record, Rumours, is one of the best-selling albums of all time. It won the famous Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1978. In 1979, the group received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Later, in 1998, they entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and won a special Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.

The History of Fleetwood Mac

How the Band Started in London

Fleetwood mac peter green 2
Peter Green on guitar

Guitarist Peter Green created Fleetwood Mac in July 1967 after leaving the group John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. He joined with drummer Mick Fleetwood and slide guitarist Jeremy Spencer. Soon after, bassist John McVie joined the lineup. The band's name came from the last names of Mick Fleetwood and John McVie. Early on, they played traditional British blues tunes.

Their first big hit record was a peaceful guitar instrumental called "Albatross" in 1968. Danny Kirwan joined as a third guitarist, making their sound even richer. The group also scored UK hits with songs like "Man of the World" and "Oh Well". Soon after, Green left the group in 1970 due to personal health challenges.

Big Changes and a Fresh Sound

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Fleetwood Mac in 1973

After Peter Green departed, John McVie's wife, Christine McVie, joined as a full-time singer and keyboard player. American guitarist Bob Welch also joined the group. Together, they made records like Future Games and Bare Trees. These albums shifted the band from classic blues toward catchy pop rock melodies. The group eventually moved their home base from England to California.

Global Superstardom with Buckingham and Nicks

Fleetwood Mac Rumours trade ad Billboard 1977
Magazine advertisement for Rumours in 1977

In late 1974, Bob Welch decided to leave the group. Mick Fleetwood soon discovered the musical duo Buckingham Nicks. He invited guitarist Lindsey Buckingham and singer Stevie Nicks to join Fleetwood Mac. Their 1975 record, Fleetwood Mac, hit number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It featured wonderful hit songs like "Rhiannon" and "Landslide".

In 1977, they released Rumours, which became an instant global masterpiece. It featured big hit singles like "Go Your Own Way", "Don't Stop", and the number-one track "Dreams". They followed this huge success with the double album Tusk in 1979 and Mirage in 1982. In 1987, they released another huge hit album called Tango in the Night, featuring "Little Lies" and "Everywhere".

Later Tours and Final Years

Fleetwood Mac November 2014
Fleetwood Mac performing on stage in 2014

The band changed members several times during the 1990s. In 1993, the classic lineup reunited to perform for the first inauguration of President Bill Clinton. A massive concert tour in 1997 resulted in the chart-topping live record The Dance.

Christine McVie took a break from touring in 1998, but returned to the group in 2014 for the sold-out On with the Show world tour. In 2018, guitarists Mike Campbell and Neil Finn joined for the An Evening with Fleetwood Mac tour. Following the sad death of beloved songwriter Christine McVie in 2022, the remaining members chose to stop performing together as Fleetwood Mac.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Fleetwood Mac para niños

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