Iconic Feuds: Fleetwood Mac’s Album That Sparked Discord (4/5)

The Key Players

In 1967, as hundreds of hippies gathered in San Francisco for the Summer of Love, over in London, guitarists Peter Green and Jeremy Spencer, along with drummer Mick Fleetwood, soon recruited bassist John McVie. Together, they formed Fleetwood Mac. Though the band would later shift towards Californian rock, their roots were firmly in British blues rock. Fleetwood Mac’s lineup was anything but stable, undergoing frequent changes. Danny Kirwan, Bob Welch, Lindsey Buckingham, Bob Weston… The list of musicians who have been part of Fleetwood Mac is extensive.

In this clash, we focus on five particular musicians from this ever-evolving group: American singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks, British drummer Mick Fleetwood, keyboardist Christine McVie, her husband and bassist John McVie, and Californian guitarist Lindsey Buckingham.

The Beginning

Before the conflicts and the iconic album Rumours, there was the departure of Peter Green, the namesake of the original band: Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac. In 1970, affected by his LSD use, Peter Green abruptly left the band, feeling disconnected from the band’s direction and the music industry. This left the group without a strong songwriter. Nevertheless, they managed to release albums like Future Games in 1971 and Bare Trees a year later. That’s when tensions started to rise.

Act 1: A Tour Gone Wrong

The addition of Christine – John’s wife – who was already a singer and songwriter (known for songs like Say You Love Me (Fleetwood Mac), Don’t Stop, and the beautiful Songbird (Rumours)), and who was familiar with the band’s repertoire, was crucial at the start of their American tour in 1973.

However, the tour faced major issues when guitarist Bob Weston was hired and then fired for having an affair with Jenny Boyd, Mick Fleetwood’s wife. Several tour dates were canceled. The band’s manager, Clifford Davis, committed to multiple dates, ended up hiring another band to keep the shows going. When Mick Fleetwood found out, he turned against Clifford, leading to a financial standoff, although eventually, both parties reached a settlement. Stuck in a bind, Fleetwood Mac ended up in Los Angeles, specifically Laurel Canyon.

Act 2: Fleetwood Mac in America

It was in 1975, in the heights of L.A., that Mick Fleetwood met the duo Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. Mick initially wanted only Lindsey, but he insisted that Stevie join as well. This period marked the band’s most famous era. If you know a Fleetwood Mac song, it likely comes from this time. The band now featured two couples: Christine and John, and Lindsey and Stevie.

In a matter of months, everything began to unravel: Lindsey and Stevie, who had been on-and-off, finally split. Christine and John divorced, and Mick broke up with Jenny following her affair with Bob Weston (refer to Act 1). Amidst this turmoil, the band began recording Rumours. Celebrating their newfound freedom, Mick, Lindsey, and John indulged in nightlife and casual relationships. Eventually, Mick had an affair with Stevie, and Lindsey with Christine. In March 1977, the new couples were famously captured by Annie Leibovitz for the cover of Rolling Stone. Only John McVie was detached, holding a magazine. The recording of Rumours took over a year, fueled by the rumors swirling around the album, which ultimately inspired its title.

The Punchline

There isn’t just one punchline to this clash, but an entire album. The tangled love stories within Fleetwood Mac inspired each member to write songs. You Make Loving Fun was penned by Christine McVie about her affair with the band’s lighting director, Curry Grant—she even lied to the band, claiming the song was inspired by her dog to avoid drama. In Second Hand News, Lindsey reflects on his breakup with Stevie, starting with the line, I know there’s nothing to say/Someone has taken my place. Oh Daddy addresses Mick’s divorce from Jenny. Stevie Nicks dedicated Silver Springs to Lindsey Buckingham, who responded with Go Your Own Way.

The Final Word

Released on February 4, 1977, the band’s eleventh studio album, Rumours, was a smash hit. It won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1977 and has sold over 45 million copies worldwide, making it the eighth best-selling album globally. In 2003, Rumours received the Grammy Hall of Fame Award.

The band continued to record and tour until 2018, often in a contentious atmosphere.