Fleetwood Mac Blog

 

 Forsyth Barr Stadium - Dunedin, New Zealand

  Dreams & Gypsies

     Famous for their hit songs such as "Dreams," "Everywhere," and "The Chain," Fleetwood Mac has been a household name since the 1970s. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame describes the band's music as, "...the troupe created a distinctive "California sound" that endures today as a sonic touchstone for countless bands" (para 1). The band has built a passionate and dedicated fanbase of people who have been following their music for decades. Their unique ability to share personal stories with timeless melodies has drawn fans to create a devoted fandom community for generations. 

Night of 1,000 Stevies

Fashion

    Stevie Nicks, lead singer and front woman of Fleetwood Mac, has been a fashion icon of the 70's and inspired people world wide. Her free-spirit bohemian inspired looks were new to the scene when the band was first starting out. As the band grew in popularity, fans began replicating looks from their favorite band member and trends of flowy tops, bell bottoms, and shimmery bangles grew in popularity. Designers such as Michael Kors have paid homage to looks inspired by her style. Vogue wrote an article describing Stevie Nicks as, "The original boho muse" (pg 1). In 1977, designer Anna Sui dedicated her entire fall collection of looks for her show to Stevie Nicks. Countless articles have been written on the fashion inspired by Fleetwood Mac and how fans can dress similar to Stevie Nick's. The ethereal aesthetic Fleetwood Mac created inspired a wave of expression of individuality through fashion. Fans to this day fill arenas dressed head to toe mirroring some of Nick's top looks. Every year fans gather in New York City for an event called "Night of 1000 Stevies". Die hard fans come to this convention-like event all dressing up in their favorite Stevie Nick's looks, from casual outfits to full drag there is everything to see here. Chi Chi Valenti states in an interview with Rolling Stone describing the event as, "It's a Noah's Arc of Stevie love," (para 3). As peculiar as it may seem, the passion for the band is evident and the fandom community continues to grow. 

Tourism

Hollywood Walk of Fame

    Dedicated fans continue to show their love for the band by traveling the world to attend concerts, visiting iconic landmarks, and connecting with each other at meet & greets. In 2019 for their 50th Anniversary Tour, a meet and greet with the band costed about $159 including soundcheck which is not too bad of a price compared to other artists. Their meet and greet tickets have become extremely limited since the band no longer tours like they used to.  Stevie Nicks recently went on a solo tour in 2021 with guest artist Billy Joel and her meet and greet tickets were about $249.50 at their show in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Fans also have travelled all the way to Atherton, California to visit the high school Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham attended. While in California, many fans often stop south side of the 6600 block of Hollywood Boulevard to see Fleetwood Mac's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as shown in the photo.

Inspiration

     

Daisy Jones & the Six

In 2019 author Taylor Jenkins Reid wrote and published the novel Daisy Jones & the Six.
The novel takes places in the 1970s and follows the rise of a rock band and mirrors many similarities inspired by both Fleetwood Mac as a whole and Stevie Nicks' life. The novel was later turned into a mini television series and brought the tale to life displaying themes of love, heartbreak, ambition, struggles with addiction, and the pressures of fame. Fan Jennifer Holmes from the Gloss Book Club reviews the novel as, "unlike anything I've ever read before" (para 1). The novel gave a unique insight to the trials and tribulations members of the band overcame in their personal lives. As the series grew in popularity, modern clothing brands began producing clothes that catered to this aesthetic and there has been an increase in the boho-chic style making a come back. But the fan inspiration does not stop here. 

Tribute band Tusk

   

    Tribute bands have shown their dedication to Fleetwood Mac's music by performing shows and touring covering their best hits. Some of the most popular are Fleetwood Mask from Naples, Florida, World Turning Band, RUMOURS, and Tusk Replicating both styles and performances these artists are able to give fans something they have missed or wanted to see in a local setting.
Additionally, through social media on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, fans are able to make communities and fan pages to share their love of music together. One of the biggest on Instagram is @fleetwoodmacfanclub with 26.5 thousand followers. Fan pages are made about individual members, specific albums, or the band as a whole. Two major fans Jenna Dewan and Steve Kazee named their child Rhiannon after Mac's hit song. 

Fanart

    

Created by Arlo Shelley Quartz

 Many fans show their love for Fleetwood Mac creatively thorough fan art and design. Fan art is made altering logos, creating visuals of the band, pieces inspired by lyrics, and making merchandise such as clothing, stickers, posters, etc. On sites such as Etsy, Behance , and DevianArt, any one can purchase the exquisite pieces of artwork to save digitally, made into prints/posters, or share with others.  as far as getting lyrics or songs by Fleetwood Mac tattooed on themselves. Websites such as Etsy sell concert memorabilia for fans to purchase, this consists of signed posters, records, drumsticks, guitar picks, and tickets. Many collectors invest a lot of money and time in collecting legitimate pieces from the band.

Personal Experience

One of my favorite Stevie Nicks outfits

    Ever since I was a young child I have gravitated more towards the hippie and bohemian style and music. I distinctly remember wanting to have a peace-sign birthday party and wanting flowy hippie pants and shirts in elementary school. As I grew older I began hearing Fleetwood Mac's music at both my grandparents house and home. With the resurfacing of 70's style and music from Daisy Jones & the Six becoming popular my grandma and I have gotten to connect on our love for the music and Stevie Nicks. From her showing me her favorite songs, to us listening to albums together, Fleetwood Mac has become a big common love for us both. As an adult I still find myself looking through old photos of Stevie Nicks' outfits and drawing inspiration from that and Daisy Jones in my personal style and buying all kinds of flared pants, flowy bell-sleeve tops and chunky rings and bangles.
I think Fleetwood Mac has created a beautiful community full of people expressing themselves and their trials and tribulations but ultimately just being present and loving. There is something special about groups of people who just want to enjoy life and be care free, it brings a kind of happiness like no other, and that is found in Fleetwood Mac's music. 

Works Cited

1. Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Review by Jennifer Holmes). (2018, December 16). The Gloss. https://theglossbookclub.com/daisy-jones-the-six-by-taylor-jenkins-reid-review-by-jennifer-holmes-2/

2. Fleetwood Mac. (n.d.). Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.https://rockhall.com/inductees/fleetwood-mac/

3. Night of 1000 Stevies – Night of 1000 Stevies. (2024, January 3). Night of 1000 Stevies. https://1000stevies.com/

4. Nast, C. (2023, May 26). 19 Dreamy Vintage Pictures of Stevie Nicks That Prove She’s Forever Been a Free Spirit. Vogue. https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/19-dreamy-vintage-pictures-of-stevie-nicks

5. Hale, M. (2023, March 2). “Daisy Jones & the Six” Review: Between Rock and a Soft Place. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/02/arts/television/daisy-jones-and-the-six-review.html