February marks the anniversary of one the greatest pop-rock albums of all time, Rumours, the
eleventh studio album by Fleetwood Mac. The record hit the shelves 44 years ago, on February 4 th ,
1977 and it was a smash hit upon its release.
Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks were drafted into the band by Mick Fleetwood 2 years before
the release of Rumours in 1975, Solidifying the band’s most famous line-up, that consisted of Mick
Fleetwood (Drums), Lindsey Buckingham (Vocals/Guitar), Stevie Nicks (vocals/tambourine), Christine
McVie (vocals/keyboard) and John McVie (Bass).
Shortly after the arrival of Nicks and Buckingham, the group released the record, ‘Fleetwood Mac’,
in July 1975. Despite being self-titled, this was the British-American band’s 10th studio album.
The biggest single, Rhiannon, was a massive success at the time and it gave the group some much
needed radio exposure.
However, Rumours, would prove to be the record that would write Fleetwood Mac in the history
book as one of the most famous rock bands of all time.
Lindsey Buckingham wanted to make a “pop-album” with Rumours, whilst incorporating the band’s
traditional blues-rock style into the record
From the record’s leading track, “Second Hand News”, to its final song, “Gold Dust Woman”,
Rumours doesn’t miss a beat.
“Go Your Own way”, “Dreams” and “Don’t stop”, were all released as singles during 1976 and 1977,
and they would prove to be, possibly, Fleetwood mac’s most iconic songs.
Every song on the record seems fresh, the songwriting is as good as it gets on a pop/soft rock record.
“I Don’t Wanna Know” is my personal favorite, written by Stevie Nicks, before she and Buckingham
had joined the band.
Rumours was recorded at the record plant studio, in Sausalito, California, for the most part. The
album went on to win a Grammy award for album of the year in 1978 and would go onto sell over 40
million copies.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Rumours was the fact that Fleetwood Mac managed to
record the album whilst two break-ups were taking place within the band. John and Christine
McVie’s marriage was coming to an end, whilst Buckingham and Nick’s relationship was also
breaking down.
Fights between Nicks and Buckingham were commonplace, whilst John and Christine would not look
at each other during the recording sessions.
But the emotions from the break-ups that would prove to fuel the albums songs, and the heavy use of drugs
during the recording sessions also played an important role in the record’s creation.
The band would go on to record their twelfth studio album, Tusk, two years later in 1979. In the
years that followed Fleetwood Mac disbanded only to get back together again shortly after.
Joe Strong
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