(Credits: Far Out / YouTube Still / TIDAL)
Thu 22 May 2025 20:00, UK
People talk about sliding doors moments in life, and how the course of one decision changed everything for them. But in the case of Fleetwood Mac, the simple acceptance of Lindsey Buckingham’s request managed to change the course of music history for everyone.
After blitzing through several songwriters and lead guitarists, Fleetwood and his founding partner John McVie were understandably exasperated with the band’s ever-changing course. They flirted with greatness with Peter Green at the helm, but his own flirtation with drug use quickly scuttled any legacy they were looking to build.
The enigmatic Lindsey Buckingham presented himself as a worthy suitor, but his one stipulation upon joining was that his partner, Stevie Nicks, be a part of the band with him. In retrospect, it seems baffling to believe that there was even a mere consideration of her suitability for the band, but it was a very real dilemma for Fleetwood.
Such was the reductive outlook on femininity in the 1970s that the simple fact of having Christine McVie already in the line-up deemed it impossible. A throwaway “we already have a female vocalist” overshadowed the more nuanced conversation of whether this trio of voices co-exist in harmony. However, history soon proved that they absolutely did. As Buckingham and Nicks showed on the self-titled 1975 album, especially on ‘World Turning’, the way in which each of their personalities and styles warred created a completely unique alchemy of harmony that would go on to become the band’s star power.
Fleetwood wasn’t the only band member who was hesitant. It must be said that McVie herself had reservations about tipping the harmonic balance of the band, but they were soon squashed. And as time drew on and her relationship with Nicks in particular strengthened, she treasured their relationship and marvelled at Nicks’ individual brilliance. It was this feeling that made her dig into the latter’s back catalogue and grow fond of her music from the time of Buckingham Nicks, particularly their track ‘Races Are Run’ from their 1975 record, Alabama 1975.
“As it happens, [Nicks and I] were so unalike that we really got on well,” McVie explained. “I was given a tape of their whole album. I still have it to this day and love it. I think the whole album is just so demonstrative of how their duets are together and their wonderful tightness and togetherness with each other musically.” She emphasised, “It’s just one of my favourite albums. Very, very laid back and not very overproduced. Just beautiful harmonies and voices.”
On that very same record is the duet’s recording of ‘Rhiannon’, a song that Nicks would take to the band in the early stages for help on developing it into one of their most recognisable hits. Any doubts the band had over her songwriting nuance or performative ability were soon erased, as she brought something entirely different, narrative-wise, yet completely in sync with their identity. But moreover, as the band geared towards the release of Rumours, and the personal turbulence that fuelled it, both of which would be crucial to their commercial success, McVie’s presence in Nicks’ life became vital as both a woman and songwriter.
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