I was inspired by a podcast called The 500 hosted by Los Angeles-based comedian Josh Adam Meyers. His goal, and mine, is to explore Rolling Stone Magazine's 2012 edition of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Album: #182
Album Title: Self-Titled
Artist: Fleetwood Mac
Genre: Soft Rock, Folk Rock, Pop
Recorded: Sound Studios (Van Nuys, California)
Released: July, 1975
My age at release: 10
How familiar was I with it before this week: Fairly well
To my chagrin, I learned at a house party in the early ‘80 that , Fleetwood Mac was originally a British Blues band, formed in July, 1967, when drummer Fleetwood and vocalist Peter Green left John Mayall's Bluesbreakers (#195 on The 500) and paired their talents with slide guitar Jeremy Spencer and bassist Bob Brunning.
By September of the same year, Brunning was replaced by John McVie. Green suggested the rhythm section of Fleetwood and McVie combine their last names to christen the band. Rumour has it that Green said to the duo: "I'll probably end up quitting this band, too, so you might as well name it after yourselves."
The revelation that the Fleetwood Mac I thought I knew -- with female vocalists and soft rock harmonies -- was originally a blues rock band for eight years blew my teen-age mind. It took some persuasion by Dave Robinson, older brother of my high school friend Gomer, that I was, shall we say, in error as we drank beer in his townhouse, listening to the album, Unleashed In The East, by British heavy metal band Judas Priest.
Side One of Unleashed In The East concludes with a song with the unusual title of The Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown). It was a favourite among my head-banging compatriots, even though we had no idea what a Manalishi was and why it might be green.
"That's originally a Fleetwood Mac song," Dave told me as he took a swig of beer, and perhaps a hefty puff of a cigarette or joint.
"What?" was my incredulous response.
"Yep, Fleetwood Mac used to be a heavy rock band, before they added the Americans -- Buckingham and Nicks."
I remained dubious, until the song ended and he took the record off the turntable.
"See", he said pointing to the label, "It was written by Peter Green. There is no Peter Green in Judas Priest. He was in Fleetwood Mac.
The self-titled Fleetwood Mac record on The 500 was released on my tenth birthday, in 1975. It was the group's tenth record, and sixth since (true to his word) Green left in 1970. It was the first to include the two Americans, Lindsay Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. The pair, who were also romantically involved, had been performing as a duo in the California area for a few years and had released their first, and only, record two years earlier. John McVie wanted to add Buckingham as a guitarist after hearing him in the studio recording some demos. Buckingham agreed to join, but only with Nicks as part of the package.
Fleetwood Mac had already transitioned to a softer, less bluesy sound in 1973, with the release of their seventh studio record, Penguin. Christine McVie, wife of John, officially joined the band in 1971 for the record Future Games, but had contributed piano parts prior to becoming a full-time member. With the new (now considered classic) line-up set, the band relocated from England to California and entered the legendary Sound City Studios.
The group's previous album, Heroes Are Hard To Find, had been a disappointment commercially. However, fortunes changed with the addition of "the Americans" -- despite many heated clashes between Buckingham and John McVie during the recording of the self-titled record. It spawned three Top 20 singles and went on to sell eight million copies. It would also establish Fleetwood Mac as one of the most successful bands of all time and set the stage for 1977's Rumours (#26 on The 500).
I am a fan of so much from Fleetwood Mac. I delight in their Peter Green, blues rock roots, Green Manalishi included, and the incredible harmonies and musicianship that came with their classic line-up.
Historical fact: Green eventually ‘fessed up that a Green Manalishi was a fictional representation of the inherent evil in money -- he had made the word up because it sounded menacing.
My age at release: 10
How familiar was I with it before this week: Fairly well
Is it on the 2020 list? Yes, at #237, dropping 54 places
Song I am putting on my Spotify Playlist: Landslide
One of life’s lessons is that sooner or later we are proved wrong. For whatever reason – assumptions, misinformation, indoctrination or an over-reliance on familiarity – can lead to an oops moment. Hearing the truth can be embarrassing or unsettling. Call it learning – which is a good thing.
I was reminded of this while reviewing this week’s record by Fleetwood Mac – the British/American rock band whose pleasing music became one of my pop favourites.
For nearly half a century, the classic line-up has comprised founding member Mick Fleetwood (drums), John McVie (bass) and his one-time wife, Christine McVie (keyboard/vocals), Lindsay Buckingham (guitars/vocals) and Stevie Nicks (vocals).
Song I am putting on my Spotify Playlist: Landslide
I was reminded of this while reviewing this week’s record by Fleetwood Mac – the British/American rock band whose pleasing music became one of my pop favourites.
For nearly half a century, the classic line-up has comprised founding member Mick Fleetwood (drums), John McVie (bass) and his one-time wife, Christine McVie (keyboard/vocals), Lindsay Buckingham (guitars/vocals) and Stevie Nicks (vocals).
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| Fleetwood Mac in 1975, (l-r)J. McVie, C. McVie, Nicks, Fleetwood, Buckingham. |
So entrenched were these names in my mind, along with their style of soft folk pop-rock, that I thought for many years Fleetwood Mac had been ever thus.
To my chagrin, I learned at a house party in the early ‘80 that , Fleetwood Mac was originally a British Blues band, formed in July, 1967, when drummer Fleetwood and vocalist Peter Green left John Mayall's Bluesbreakers (#195 on The 500) and paired their talents with slide guitar Jeremy Spencer and bassist Bob Brunning.
By September of the same year, Brunning was replaced by John McVie. Green suggested the rhythm section of Fleetwood and McVie combine their last names to christen the band. Rumour has it that Green said to the duo: "I'll probably end up quitting this band, too, so you might as well name it after yourselves."
 |
| Fleetwood Mac in 1968, (l-r) McVie, Spencer, Green and Fleetwood. |
"That's originally a Fleetwood Mac song," Dave told me as he took a swig of beer, and perhaps a hefty puff of a cigarette or joint.
"What?" was my incredulous response.
"Yep, Fleetwood Mac used to be a heavy rock band, before they added the Americans -- Buckingham and Nicks."
I remained dubious, until the song ended and he took the record off the turntable.
"See", he said pointing to the label, "It was written by Peter Green. There is no Peter Green in Judas Priest. He was in Fleetwood Mac.
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| Label for Unleashed In The East, featuring The Green Manalishi, composed by Peter Green. |
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| Buckingham Nicks album cover (1973). |
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| Sound City Studios in the 1970s. |
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| Rumours album cover -- we'll get to this one in about two and a half years. |
Historical fact: Green eventually ‘fessed up that a Green Manalishi was a fictional representation of the inherent evil in money -- he had made the word up because it sounded menacing.
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