Printable Biography of Mick Fleetwood

Legendary drummer and founding member of Fleetwood Mac, Mick Fleetwood has been at the top of his trade for over thirty years —and in 2004 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  By the age of sixteen Fleetwood had already turned professional, playing in several London based bands, including John Mayall’s Blues Breakers.

In 1964 Mick Fleetwood met Peter Green and together in 1967 formed the original blues lineup of Fleetwood Mac with Jeremy Spencer and John McVie. One-year later guitarist Danny Kirwan joined the band. By 1969, Fleetwood Mac topped he British singles charts with their first million selling single, “Albatross.” Subsequent singles, “Man of the World” and “Oh Well,” saw Fleetwood Mac out-sell The Beatles and The Rolling Stones that year. By the time Mick Fleetwood was twenty-one years old, he had already played with such great blues artists as Willie Dixon, B.B. King, Buddy Guy and John Lee Hooker.

In 1970, Peter Green left the group and Mick Fleetwood assumed the role of bandleader and manager. He recruited Christine McVie and Fleetwood Mac carried on making great music, and in 1974 Fleetwood added Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham to the lineup, proving to be a magical combination. In 1975, with the release of this lineup’s first album, “Fleetwood Mac,” the band quickly became an American household name. But it was their 1977 multi-Grammy Award-winning release “Rumours” that today still stands as one of the three biggest selling albums of all time having sold over 30 million copies.

The year 1997 marked the twentieth anniversary of “Rumours.” Fleetwood Mac celebrated this milestone with the multi-platinum, live album “The Dance,” which debuted at number one and remains on the Billboard charts to this date. The band also embarked on a much-anticipated US tour. This event brought Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham back together for 62 sold out shows. Early 1998 found Fleetwood Mac inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame and were given the award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music at the Brit Awards.

Fleetwood was one of the original supporters and investors in Accordance Music. Software products based on Accordance Music Systems’ patented Music Performance Engine (MPE) allow anyone, including non-musicians and kids of all ages, the ability to creatively improvise music in real time. This new technology is being applied to several overlapping markets including the Internet, musical instruments, entertainment software, karaoke and recorded music. Fleetwood is still on the board of Accordance and is a devoted spokesperson for the company.

In 1997, Fleetwood formed his own record label, Tall Man Records. Tall Man’s first release, “Legacy,” is a tribute to Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” and includes artists such as Elton John, Jewel, Goo Goo Dolls and The Cranberries. As co-owner and CEO of Tall Man Records, Fleetwood continues to be involved in finding, developing and producing new artists and projects.

In Fleetwood’s thirty-five year career as the man behind Fleetwood Mac’s success, he has empowered both himself and his fellow band members. He has encouraged the people around him to greater heights of creativity, while maintaining a vibrant passion for the career he loves. As the driving force of Fleetwood Mac, he has learned to be a leader who knows how to nurture the talent of individuals while creating a successful and productive team. Whether behind a drum kit, desk, or podium Fleetwood brings a unique drive, spirituality, and vision to everything he does.