Fleetwood Mac’s Connection to Marin and San Francisco
Introduction
Fleetwood Mac’s album “Rumours” was recorded in Sausalito (Marin), just north of San Francisco, at the Record Plant. The 10-time Grammy-winning album has sold over 40 million copies worldwide and is considered by many to be one of the greatest albums ever made. So, why did Fleetwood Mac choose to record their most successful album in Marin? In this blog post, we will explore the reasons why Fleetwood Mac chose Marin as the location to record “Rumours”. From the beautiful scenery to the peace and quiet, we will see why Marin was the perfect place for the band to create one of the greatest albums of all time.
Fleetwood Mac’s History
Formed in 1967, Fleetwood Mac originally consisted of Peter Green, Jeremy Spencer, John McVie, and Mick Fleetwood. Danny Kirwan and Christine McVie soon joined the band, and they released their self-titled debut album in 1968.
The group’s second album, “Mr. Wonderful”, was released in 1968 and featured the hits “Albatross” and “Black Magic Woman”. Soon after its release, however, Kirwan was fired from the band due to his excessive drug use. He was replaced by Bob Welch.
Welch wrote and recorded the band’s third album, “Kiln House”, with the help of new producer Richard Dashut. The album was released in 1970 to mixed reviews. Shortly after its release, Welch left the band to pursue a solo career. After this, they recorded 4 to 7 albums from which some went famous and some could not make it to the heart of listeners.
The Making Of “Rumours”
Before the making of Rumours, Fleetwood Mac had already released several successful albums. However, the band was going through a difficult time, as drummer Mick Fleetwood was going through a divorce and both Christine McVie and John McVie were divorcing as well. The recording process was difficult, as the band members were often fighting with each other. The band was also struggling with drug addiction. Despite these challenges, the band came together to record what would become one of their most successful albums.
Why Marin Was The Perfect Place To Record?
The album was recorded in Marin, north of San Francisco. There are a few reasons why Marin was the perfect place to record Rumours. First, the area was very rural and secluded at the time, which meant that the band could really focus on their work without distractions.
Second, the weather was great for recording; it was always sunny and warm, which made for ideal conditions in the studio.
Third, Fleetwood Mac chose Marin for recording the album because there was a thriving music scene and because it wasn’t prohibitively far from Los Angeles. They were already living in Marin, so it made sense to record there.
Fourth, It was a peaceful place to work, with plenty of green space for the band members’ horses (Fleetwood’s horses are named after cities). It was also close enough that if any emergencies arose during recording sessions, they could drive home quickly without having to rent an expensive hotel room or fly back home overnight as many bands did at the time.
Finally, Marin had a strong music scene at the time, and there were many talented musicians and producers in the area who could help contribute to the album.
Conclusion
It’s hard to imagine Fleetwood Mac recording anywhere other than Marin. The seclusion and beauty of the area inspired the band to create some of their most iconic work. The album “Rumours” is a testament to the power of place, and it’s no wonder that the band continues to return to Marin whenever they need to recharge their creative batteries.
