Fleetwood Mac - CD Discography & History

Fleetwood Mac Music group

History and solo enterprises

Fleetwood Mac are a British-American rock band that achieved considerable success and popularity over the years. The band started in 1967 and has undergone numerous lineup changes, but its most famous and commercially successful incarnation emerged in the mid-1970s. The core members of this lineup include Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie, John McVie, and Mick Fleetwood.

Key Members:

  • Peter Green (drums): Founding member but left the band after a performance on 20th May 1970.

peter green of fleetwood mac

  • Mick Fleetwood (drums): Founding member and the only constant member throughout Fleetwood Mac's history.

mick fleetwood of fleetwood mac

  • John McVie (bass): Another founding member and a consistent presence in the band.

john mcvie of fleetwood mac

  • Christine McVie (keyboards, vocals): Joined the band in the early 1970s, adding her vocals and songwriting talents to the mix.
  • Lindsey Buckingham (guitar, vocals): Joined in 1975, contributing his guitar skills and vocals.
  • Stevie Nicks (vocals): Joined in 1975 along with Lindsey Buckingham, bringing her distinctive voice and songwriting to the band.

Formation and Early Years: Fleetwood Mac was formed in 1967 by Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood, and John McVie. The band initially gained attention as a blues-rock outfit, with Peter Green being a prominent guitarist and vocalist. Green's departure in the early 1970s marked the beginning of a transitional period for the band.

Rumours and Commercial Success: The most iconic era of Fleetwood Mac began with the release of the album "Fleetwood Mac" in 1975. This album introduced Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks to the lineup. The follow-up album, "Rumours" (1977), is considered one of the greatest rock albums of all time. It featured a series of hit singles, including "Go Your Own Way," "Dreams," and "Don't Stop." "Rumours" became a massive commercial success, earning critical acclaim and winning the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

Later Years: Fleetwood Mac continued to release successful albums in the late 1970s and 1980s, including "Tusk" (1979) and "Mirage" (1982). However, internal conflicts and lineup changes persisted. Christine McVie took a hiatus from the band in the late 1990s but rejoined in 2014.

The band's enduring popularity has been marked by their ability to navigate musical trends while maintaining a core sound that combines rock, pop, and elements of blues. Fleetwood Mac's music is characterized by its distinctive vocal harmonies, intricate arrangements, and a mix of different musical styles.

While the lineup has shifted over the years, Fleetwood Mac's impact on the music industry and their status as one of the best-selling bands of all time remain firmly intact. Their timeless hits and the emotional resonance of their music have ensured a lasting legacy in the world of rock and pop music.

CD Discography

Fleetwood Mac Studio albums (Available on CD)

Fleetwood Mac (1968, also known as Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac)
Mr. Wonderful (1968)
Then Play On (1969)
Kiln House (1970)
Future Games (1971)
Bare Trees (1972)
Penguin (1973)
Mystery to Me (1973)
Heroes Are Hard to Find (1974)
Fleetwood Mac (1975)
Rumours (1977)
Tusk (1979)
Mirage (1982)
Tango in the Night (1987)
Behind the Mask (1990)
Time (1995)
Say You Will (2003)

Fleetwood Mac Compilation Albums (Available on CD)

English Rose (1968)
The Pious Bird of Good Omen (1969)
Blues Jam in Chicago (1969)
The Original Fleetwood Mac (1971)
Greatest Hits (1971)
Vintage Years (1975)
Greatest Hits (1988)
25 Years – The Chain (1992)
The Vaudeville Years (1998)
The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions 1967–1969 (1999)
Show-Biz Blues (2001)
The Best of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac (2002)
The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac (2002)
Madison Blues (2003)
The Essential Fleetwood Mac (2007)
50 Years – Don't Stop (2018)

Fleetwood Mac Live Albums (Available on CD)

Live (1980)
Live in Boston (1985)
Live at the BBC (1995)
The Dance (1997)
Shrine '69 (1999)
Live in Boston (2004)
Rumours Live (2023)

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Solo Projects / Careers

The members of Fleetwood Mac have pursued solo projects alongside their work with the band, contributing to a diverse range of musical styles and exploring individual creative expressions. Here's a brief overview of some notable solo efforts from key members:

  1. Stevie Nicks:

    • Stevie Nicks is a prolific songwriter and performer with a successful solo career. Her solo debut, "Bella Donna" (1981), featured hits like "Edge of Seventeen" and "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" (a duet with Tom Petty).
    • Other successful solo albums include "The Wild Heart" (1983), "Rock a Little" (1985), and "Trouble in Shangri-La" (2001).
    • Nicks' solo work often retains the mystical and poetic elements present in her Fleetwood Mac contributions.

  2. Lindsey Buckingham:

    • Lindsey Buckingham has released several solo albums, showcasing his skills as a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter.
    • His solo debut, "Law and Order" (1981), and subsequent albums like "Go Insane" (1984) and "Out of the Cradle" (1992) received critical acclaim.
    • Buckingham's solo work tends to explore a more experimental and eclectic side of his musicality.

  3. Christine McVie:

    • Christine McVie released solo albums both before and after joining Fleetwood Mac. Her most successful solo effort is "Christine McVie" (1984), which featured the hit single "Got a Hold on Me."
    • After a long hiatus from solo work, she released "In the Meantime" (2004), which showcased her timeless songwriting and vocals.

  4. Mick Fleetwood:

    • Mick Fleetwood, the band's drummer and co-founder, has released a few solo albums. His debut, "The Visitor" (1981), featured collaborations with various artists.
    • Fleetwood has also participated in side projects, including the Mick Fleetwood Blues Band.

  5. Bob Welch:

    • Bob Welch was a guitarist and vocalist who played a significant role in Fleetwood Mac during the early 1970s. He left the band in 1974 and pursued a solo career.
    • Welch's solo albums include "French Kiss" (1977), which featured the hit "Sentimental Lady."

  6. Peter Green:

    • Peter Green was a co-founder of Fleetwood Mac but left the band in the early 1970s. He had a solo career, marked by the album "The End of the Game" (1970) and later releases like "In the Skies" (1979).
    • Green's blues-influenced solo work showcases his exceptional guitar skills.

While the solo careers of Fleetwood Mac members vary in style and success, they have collectively contributed to the diversity and longevity of the band's legacy. Each member's solo efforts offer a glimpse into their individual artistic contributions and musical evolution over the years.