Fleetwood Mac: Rattlesnakes, Rumours and Rhymes

Rumors, Rattlesnakes, and Rhymes - The Music of Fleetwood Mac 1967 - 1987

On Saturday, August 16th, the New York Roots Music Association will play tribute to the music of Fleetwood Mac, playing songs spanning the band's entire career, from their blues/rock beginnings to their chart-topping string of pop hits. The Fleetwood Mac story is unique - basically three different bands with only drummer Mick Fleetwood and bassist John McVie being consistent members. Along with the shifting personnel, there were some strange exits, random entrances, and plenty of drama. But we'll only be concentrating on the music, which is outstanding throughout!

Scheduled to perform are: Eamonn Bowles, Anna Coronna, Paul Curcio, Mama Coles, Terry Day, Mike Drance, Andrew Fortier, Brian Halverson, Claudia Jacobs, Annie Mark, Allen Santoriello, Jenna Silverman-Salm, Michele Sivori, Jessica Upham and Greg Varro.

All of these talented performers will be backed by the incredible NYRMA All-Stars featuring: Johnny Cola, Gary Dawson, Cole Fortier, Rich Hall, Steve Kaplan, Tom Licameli, Don Olsen, Steven Prisco, Thomas Ryan, Howie Silverman, Rich Umbach and Dan Weymouth.

The show will take place at 8PM (doors open at 7PM) on Saturday, August 16th, 2025 at the American Legion Post 360, located at 1 Mill Dam Road, in Huntington, NY. Situated on beautiful Huntington Harbor, the spacious venue offers plenty of room to rock out, a large, fully-staffed bar area, and ample on-site parking!

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance (Highly Recommended!) at https://nyrma-fleetwood-mac.eventbrite.com.

Note: Limited seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fleetwood Mac - A Brief History.

Beginnings ... 1967 - 1970

Fleetwood Mac began its musical journey in 1967 under the direction of guitarist Peter Green. As a member of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers along with drummer Mick Fleetwood and bassist John McVie, Green suggested that the trio start a band on their own and soon added slide guitarist Jeremy Spencer and then in 1968 added a third guitarist, Danny Kirwan. The group quickly rose to fame in the UK with a number of top ten singles and albums, including the instrumental "Albatross" which hit number one and "Black Magic Woman" which later became a hit for Santana. They were occasionally joined in the studio by a friend of the band, Christine Perfect, who played in a rival blues band "Chicken Shack" - more about her later! The band began to move towards a more rock-based sound, recording such classics as "Oh Well" and "The Green Manalishi." Unfortunately, in 1970, Green left the group as his mental health declined due to his involvement with drugs.

The Transitional Era ... 1971 - 1974

The remaining four members continued on, and in 1970, they invited Christine Perfect— now Christine McVie— to officially join the band. In 1971, on a US tour, Spencer went out "to get a magazine" and never returned, having joined a religious group he met along the way. A friend of the band recommended guitarist Bob Welch, whom the band hired without actually playing with him after listening to a tape of his songs. The band now moved to a more melodic rock style, and vocal harmonies became part of their sound. The band released a number of singles that got favorable reviews in the US, including Welch's "Sentimental Lady" and “Hypnotized," along with McVie's “Spare Me a Little of Your Love" and "Come A Little Bit Closer." Even so, the band hit a number of bumps in the road. Guitarist Danny Kirwan's battle with alcohol led to his dismissal. Managerial issues led to an entire new band— dubbed "The New Fleetwood Mac”— hitting the road, confusing audiences and leading to lawsuits. The band actually pulled things together for a few more LPs, and even while they continued to gain popularity, the band mutually agreed that a change was needed.

The Grammy Years - 1975 - 1987

While in Los Angeles, Mick Fleetwood was checking Sound City Studios as a potential spot for a new recording when he was introduced to guitarist Lindsey Buckingham by engineer Keith Olsen. Fleetwood asked him on the spot to join Fleetwood Mac, and he said yes under the condition that his musical partner and girlfriend, Stevie Nicks, would be invited as well. Bob Welch, with no bad feelings, felt it was time for him to leave the band, and in 1975, the new lineup recorded the self-titled "Fleetwood Mac," which hit number one in the US, selling over 7 million copies and containing multiple hit singles including "Over My Head," "Say You Love Me," and "Rhiannon." But the band was just getting started, and in 1977, released “Rumours," which won a Grammy for Album of the Year and contained four top-ten singles: "Go Your Own Way," "Dreams,” “Don't Stop," and "You Make Loving Fun." More hit LPs followed until 1987 when Buckingham left the band as internal tensions came to a head.

In the years that followed, there were new members, massive reunion tours, and new releases, but there wasn't another incarnation to move things once again to a new level. Christine McVie passed away in 2022, and both Mick Fleetwood and Stevie Nicks went on record saying that without her, there was no reason to continue. However, in 2024, Fleetwood said to MOJO magazine that he was "open to re-assembling the band."

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