When one thinks of Fleetwood Mac, one will usually think of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. However, these two icons weren’t always part of the band. In fact, Fleetwood Mac was formed back in 1967, way before Nicks and Buckingham joined the band in 1974. Back in the bluesy early days, Fleetwood Mac had a few noteworthy hits that have since flown under the radar. Let’s revisit a few of those hits, shall we?
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1. “Oh Well Part 1”
This song was composed by Fleetwood Mac’s founding member Peter Green. Much of the band’s work was composed by Green in the early years, and he was a truly talented songwriter. Along with being an excellent songwriter, he was a talented guitar virtuoso; “Oh Well Part 1” showcases both talents beautifully.
It’s a pure blues song, but with chaotic elements that make it stand out. “Oh Well Part 1” was also one of the first songs from Fleetwood Mac to gain them serious attention in the UK.
2. “Woman Of 1000 Years”
Before Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, there were Bob Welch and Danny Kirwan, among others who kept the band afloat. Sadly, Kirwan’s story is a sad one. He struggled with the rock star lifestyle, fell deep into alcoholism, likely became mentally ill after a bad acid trip, and became homeless after being fired from the band. Before things went south, he contributed “Woman Of 1000 Years” to Fleetwood Mac’s 1971 record Future Games.
It’s a definitive song, really; it’s all about staying in harmony despite being in a band with a lineup that constantly changes. “Woman Of 1000 Years” really set the scene for when Buckingham and Nicks arrived.
3. “Man Of The World”
This 1969 song is one of Peter Green’s best contributions to Fleetwood Mac. “Man Of The World” was written about how Green made it big with his bandmates yet still felt unfulfilled, something that a lot of rock stars likely related to.
It’s a tender and softer song from the band’s early days and also one of Green’s more sincere pieces of work. “Man Of The World” charted pretty well, too. The tune made it to no. 2 on the UK Singles chart and did similarly well in Europe.
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