Fleetwood Mac

Mapping the personnel changes in Fleetwood Mac doesn’t require a family tree so much as a family forest. Formed in 1967 around the core of drummer Mick Fleetwood, legendary guitarist Peter Green, and bassist John McVie, the first albums were quality straight-ahead electric blues. But you don’t sell over 120 million albums playing the blues, and it was the version of Fleetwood Mac featuring Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham who broke through in the mid-70s with singles written by Nicks (“Rhiannon”) and Christine McVie (“Over my head”). Then came Rumours, world domination, and eternal Gold FM status.

We also want to mention the often overlooked period between the blues era and the Buckingham-Nicks ascendency, especially those albums featuring Danny Kirwan. Try Future Games or Bare Trees for some great songwriting.

Recommendations: Rumours (of course), Then Play On, Tusk, or one (or more) of the excellent compilations.