Since 1967,Fleetwood Machas been on many successful journeys throughout their career as a band. First formed by guitaristPeter Green, drummerMick Fleetwood, and bass guitaristJohn McVie, the band’s trajectory over many decades is astonishing to witness. However, it was their eleventh studio album,Rumours, that propelled them to success, and it soon became one ofthe greatest albums of all time.
Rumoursreceived critical acclaim and remained on the charts for months. However, the album was the hardest to make because the band were experiencing emotional struggles while recording. As a result, Fleetwood Mac memberLindsey Buckinghamwasunable to “feel strongly about the album” as “all the stuff surrounding it started to become the main focus”, according toRolling Stone.Amazingly, the album was released, despitethe emotional turmoil behind the scenesthat took a toll on the band.
Personal Relationships Caused Tension in Fleetwood Mac
Before recordingRumours, Fleetwood Mac was on top of the world. Their tenth studio album,Fleetwood Mac(1975), became a huge success as it peaked at number 1 on the US Billboard 200 Chart, and they toured with new membersStevie Nicksand Buckingham. Because of their tenth album’s success, they were facing monumental pressure to create an extraordinary follow-up. However,the emotional dramas each band member carried into the studio and drugsworsened the pressure.
Fleetwood Mac’s 1997 “Silver Springs” Performance Was 28 Years Ago and the Song Still Haunts the Pop Culture Narrative
The song was first released in 1977 and is a part of the band’s ‘Rumours’ album.
Fleetwood Mac began working on one ofthe greatest pop rock albumsin 1976 despite their relationship issues.Christine McVieandJohn McViewere married for nearly eight years, but entered the studio on the verge of divorce, and only made contact when working on the album. Their relationship deteriorated further whenChristine started openly dating the band’s lighting director.
Nicks and Buckingham were also long-time lovers beforetheir relationship decayed. They, too, entered the studio after ending their relationship, butthey did not keep the peacewhile recordingRumours. While the McVies avoided contact,Nicks and Buckingham would reportedly have loud argumentsuntil they entered the booth.
Fleetwood had no romantic connections with any members beforeRumours, but his marriage drama also made its way to the studio. Just before Fleetwood Mac started recordingRumours, Fleetwood found out thathis wife was having an affair with a close friend, and he, like the McVies, would also go through a divorce. However, Fleetwood then became entangled with the relationship dramas and tensions;he and Nicks would embark on a short-lived affairbefore the end of the year.
Personal Issues Soon Turned Into Some of Fleetwood Mac’s Biggest Songs
Although drama infiltrated the band, that did not stop them from seeking inspiration from their issues.The studio soon turned into a therapy session, where each member would write brutally honest lyrics and confessions, and lay out their heart and their feelings on vinyl and tape. However,these would soon turn into some ofFleetwood Mac’s best songs of all timethat remain on playlists today.
Buckingham and Nick’s breakup inspired Buckingham to write “Go Your Own Way,” as this is his response to their irreparable relationship. Christine wrote “Don’t Stop” as her way to look forward and “You Make Loving Fun” about her new romance and moving on from her marriage. Meanwhile, despite ongoing tensions, the group came together to write and record “The Chain,” which was about betrayal.
The album was released on August 20, 2025, meaning that the band’s emotional issues were made public and speculated about by fans. As soon asRumourswas released, Christine described the recording process toRolling Stoneas “Drama. Dra-ma,” and Nicks told the outlet that she did not care if people knew that she and Buckingham and the McVies had broken up “because we did.And that’s a fact.” She also confirmed that some people theorized at the time; some of the songs she wrote forRumours“are definitely about people in the band. Chris’s relationships, John’s relationship, Mick’s relationship, Lindsey’s and mine.They’re all there and very honest, andpeople will know exactly what I am talking about.”
Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Rumours’ Became One Of Their Most Iconic Albums
Rumourswent on to become an international success, as it became Fleetwood Mac’s first number one album in the UK Albums Chart and peaked at number one on the US Billboard 200. The album was well-received worldwide, as it received multi-platinum certifications in the US, the UK, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand and Australia. Praised by critics for its harmonies and production,Rumourswent on to becomeAlbum of the Year at the Grammy Awardsin 1978, and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2003.
The album remains one of the most talked-about albums because of the production quality, storytelling, and iconic singles such as “Go Your Own Way”. In 2020,Rolling StonerankedRumoursseventh in the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. As of February 2023, the album had sold over 40 million copies worldwide, making the album one ofthe best-selling albums of all time.
