Fleetwood Mac went their own way, remain cult

By Mackenzie Grizzard | Editor

There are very few bands that stand the test of time. From the Beatles to One Direction, the pressure of the music industry and fame itself are too much for many.

Some artists release a few hits and fade into obscurity. Others create their own brand and build an empire that stands the test of time and inevitable band breakups. Fleetwood Mac is one of those bands.

One of the main aspects that sets Fleetwood Mac apart from other, arguably timeless bands is their cultural and stylistic evolution over the years. Many successful bands find a musical style and stick to it, but Fleetwood Mac overcame several musical barriers – and it paid off.

Fleetwood Mac was formed as a blues-folk band in London in the 1960s. The founding members were Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Christine McVie, Peter Green and Jeremy Spencer. Their debut album and hit single “Albatross” gave them a successful breakthrough in the British blues scene.

But it was their move to the USA in 1974 that catapulted them to the fame they are now credited with. The addition of the mystical sensation Stevie Nicks and the accomplished guitarist Lindsey Buckingham transformed their once bluesy-folk style into American 70s rock. With the combination of Stevie Nicks' and Christine McVie's incredible vocal talent, Fleetwood Mac finally had what set them apart – a unique sound.

Despite their success, Fleetwood Mac were not immune to the fate that befalls many bands. Band breakups usually overshadow a band's legacy simply because they are remembered for the drama rather than their artistry. Fleetwood Mac is the exception. They didn't need a breakup to leave an iconic legacy.

Fleetwood Mac didn't split up like many other bands. The love drama between several band members led to line-up changes over the years, but that didn't stop them.

While members like Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks pursued successful solo careers, Fleetwood Mac produced albums together until 2017. That's over 50 years of producing music together. There are very few, if any, bands that can say that.

They are even said to have served as inspiration for the novel and, decades later, for the successful television series “Daisy Jones and the Six” by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

50 years of joint production of multimillion-dollar albums, successful solo careers and television and book series based on them is an incredible legacy. At least for a previously unknown British blues band.

No other band comes close to what Fleetwood Mac have achieved. Even though the music has changed and adapted, they have remained as classic as they were 30 years ago.

Her story is also a warning of sorts: Don't let breakups and romantic dramas overshadow what's important. After all, a name in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will certainly stay longer than a heartbreak.