Book review: FLEETWOOD MAC IN THE 1980s by Don Klees

SonicBond Publishing [Publication date 27.01.23]

During the 1980’s Fleetwood Mac only released two albums, 1982’s ‘Mirage’, which topped the US album charts, and 1987’s ‘Tango In The Night’, which saw the band top the UK album charts with sales to date topping 2.5m alone in the UK.

There was a live album, but that aside, much of the book covers the solo careers of Stevie Nicks (who had a string of hit albums and singles in the 1980s), Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie and Mick Fleetwood. John McVie semi-retired from music when Fleetwood Mac weren’t active bar the odd appearance with John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers.

Don Klees gives a concise overview of Fleetwood Mac pre-1980 and the final chapter of the book whizzes through the band’s history from 1990’s ‘Behind The Mask’ album until the present day. Using quotes from interviews, with a heavy reliance on Mick Fleetwood’s two memoirs, Klees gives a fair appraisal of each band member’s solo work and the three albums released by the band.

He also covers underlying tension between the band members’ individual and group efforts – the truth that they worked best together but could only do so for limited periods. Although like a soap opera at times, Fleetwood Mac have only had massive success when Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie were together.

The book has the reader off to investigate oft overlooked albums like Mick Fleetwood’s Zoo album, which saw the drummer playing in tiny venues as the band never really took off. Good overview of Stevie Nick’s solo albums which again has the reader off to listen to these again or perhaps enjoy for the first time.

Fleetwood Mac still have ‘Rumours’ and a best of compilation in the UK album charts at the time of writing, however, any future activity by the band seems unlikely following the death of Christine McVie last year. It is more likely we will have new music and touring as solo artists as indeed Stevie Nicks has US live shows lined-up for the year.

An absorbing and informative overview of Fleetwood Mac’s second most popular decade after their ‘Rumours’ led 1970s. Perfect for the casual fan, of whom there must be many judging by the band’s album sales! ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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