He is best known as the drummer, co-founder, and leader of the rock band "Fleetwood Mac", here are some facts about Mick Fleetwood:
(Photo: Dia Dipasupi)
1. He was born in Redruth, Cornwall, England as Michael John Kells Fleetwood, on June 24, 1947.
2. He spent his early years living in Egypt and Norway due to his father's military service. He attended school in Norway and became fluent in Norwegian.
3. He performed poorly in school, which he attributed to his inability to memorize facts being dislectic, but he nevertheless enjoyed acting during school, often in drag, and was a competent fencer.
4. Fleetwood stands at an imposing height of 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) and was known for his beard and long hair.
5. His parents recognized his musical talent and bought him a drum kit when he was thirteen.
6. Fleetwood was a self-taught drummer from his early childhood.
7. Fleetwood dropped out of school at 15 and moved to London in 1963 to pursue a career as a drummer.
8. He initially stayed with his sister in Notting Hill and found his first opportunity in music through keyboard player Peter Bardens, later known as "Camel's" keybordist.
9. Bardens gave Fleetwood his first gig in the band "The Cheynes" in July 1963, leading to further musical opportunities.
10. Later in 1966 Fleetwood joined "the Peter Bs" which expanded to "Shotgun Express" (with Rod Stewart).
11. Peter Green and Mick Fleetwood went to join "John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers", in April 1967. The band also featured John McVie.
12. Green became a supportive bandmate who helped Fleetwood develop his drumming skills.
13. Fleetwood and John McVie were heavy drinkers during their time with "the Bluesbreakers", causing strain in the band.
14. In the end, Green who left the "the Bluesbreakers" invited Fleetwood to join his new band, which eventually became "Fleetwood Mac".
15. Bassist Bob Brunning was replaced by John McVie, solidifying the first fixed lineup of Fleetwood Mac.
16. The initial lineup of "Fleetwood Mac", including Fleetwood, McVie, Green, and Spencer, performed their first gig in August 1967.
17. The name "Fleetwood Mac" was derived by merging Fleetwood's surname with that of the group's bassist, John "Mac" McVie.
18. The band released their first album, "Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac," in 1968.
19. The band recorded their second album released in 1968, "Mr. Wonderful," under the name Fleetwood Mac, dropping Peter Green's name.
20. Christine Perfect, who would later marry John McVie and known as Christine McVie, became a guest musician and later a permanent member, beginning in "Fleetwood Mac's" third album, "Then Play On," released in 1969. The album also marked a shift in musical style toward a more psychedelic sound.
21. Peter Green's mental health declined, and he left the band in 1970, leaving Fleetwood and McVie to carry on. The departure of Green led to a period of instability and lineup changes within "Fleetwood Mac".
22. In 1974, "Fleetwood Mac" relocated to Los Angeles, seeking new opportunities and a change of scenery.
23. In Los Angeles, Mick Fleetwood discovered Buckingham-Nicks, a duo featuring Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, and invited them to join the band in 1974.
(Photo: Fanart.TV)
24. Buckingham and Nicks brought fresh songwriting and vocal talents to "Fleetwood Mac", revitalizing the band's sound.
25. The self-titled album "Fleetwood Mac" released in 1975 became a breakthrough hit for the band, reaching No. 1 on the US charts.
26. "Rumours" released in 1977, became one of the best-selling albums of all time, with hits like "Go Your Own Way" and "Don't Stop".
27. Fleetwood Mac's album "Tusk" (1979) showcased a more experimental direction led by Buckingham, incorporating elements of punk and new wave.
28. Mick Fleetwood often sang filled pauses along to songs to help keep the beat.
29. Mick Fleetwood had his rack of tom drums arranged back to front.
30. Mick Fleetwood hit his drums very hard, except for his kick drum.
31. Mick Fleetwood has played drums on many of his bandmates' solo records, including Lindsey Buckingham's "Law and Order", where he played on the album's biggest hit, "Trouble".
32. Fleetwood released his first solo album "The Visitor" in 1981 and his second solo album "Something Big" in 2004.
33. in 1983 he released the album "I'm Not Me" under the band name "Mick Fleetwood's Zoo". The band's second album "Shakin' the Cage" was released under the name "The Zoo" in 2004.
34. Together with John McVie Mick Fleetwood is the only member of "Fleetwood Mac" to feature in all of the band's 18 studio albums.
35. Mick Fleetwood has a secondary career as a TV and film actor, usually in minor parts like on of the episodes in "Star Trek: The Next Generation".
36. Mick Fleetwood co-hosted the 1989 BRIT Awards.
37. In 1998, Mick Fleetwood was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of "Fleetwood Mac".
38. Mick Fleetwood has been married to three women and has four children. His first wife was Jenny Boyd - sister of Pattie Boyd the wife of George Harrison and later Eric Clapton.
39. Mick Fleetwood and Stevie Nicks discovered they were more than just bandmates in 1977, they had a short love affair. Jenny Boyd had also been having an ongoing affair with "Fleetwood Mac" member Bob Weston. Weston was ultimately fired from the band.
40. Mick Fleetwood became a US citizen only on 22 November 2006 in Los Angeles.
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