In 1967, Peter Green, Jeremy Spencer, and Mick Fleetwood started Fleetwood Mac. However, this was not the same Fleetwood Mac that ruled 70s pop culture and became one of the most successful bands of all time. Rather, this was a Fleetwood Mac that was heavily steeped in the 60s counterculture and seemingly cared more about musical experimentation than musical entertainment. Though that all changed when Green left, and when Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, and Lindsey Buckingham arrived subsequently.
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While the original Fleetwood Mac, consisting of the individuals mentioned and John McVie, was incredibly successful, they were not as commercially successful as Nicks’ Fleetwood Mac. Though that wasn’t seemingly their main concern, as they were more concerned with creating music reflective of the times. They did just that, as their popular tracks “Albatross”, “Black Magic Woman”, and “Man of the World” all mirrored the sounds of The Grateful Dead, The Doors, and generally the bluesy psychedelic tone of the 60s. Also, it is important to mention that all of these tracks were written by Green.
That is not the sound the masses associate with the most popular version of Fleetwood Mac. That sound that started the band left with Peter Green, and a new sound arrived with the three new members.
The Stark Contrast Between The Old & The New Fleetwood Mac
First and foremost, we are not saying that one sound is better than the other. Rather, they both serve their own unique and individual purpose. However, what we are saying is that in the history of rock ‘n’ roll, no band more than Fleetwood Mac has undergone such a musical metamorphosis due to a roster change.
If one listens to Mac pre-Nicks and post-Nicks, the stark contrast becomes wildly apparent. With the new inclusion, Mac abandoned their psychedelic tone and adopted a style rooted in pop-rock hooks, lyrics, and arrangements. Songs became catchier, choruses more memorable, and consequently, they became more commercially successful and timeless.
Concerning commercial success, the evidence resides in Fleetwood Mac’s most notable and successful Billboard Hot 100 songs, “Dreams”, “Don’t Stop”, “Go Your Own Way”, “You Make Loving Fun”, and “Little Lies”. All of these songs were either written by McVie, Nicks, or Buckingham.
Again, no sound is technically better than the other. Though if you feel so compelled, go listen to Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac and then listen to Stevie Nicks’ Mac. Truly, the stark contrast is comparable to night and day. Frankly, given Nicks, Buckingham, and McVie’s insurmountable impact on the band, it is easy to forget and overlook what Green and the former Fleetwood Mac accomplished during their short time together.
Photo by Richard McCaffrey/ Michael Ochs Archive/ Getty Images
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