1967

MICK FLEETWOOD had debuted with R&B unit THE CHEYNES fronted by singer Pete Bardens. Three singles were issued for Columbia Records before Bardens opted out after the last single 'Down And Out' to join VAN MORRISON's THEM.

Fleetwood found employment with another R&B band BO STREET RUNNERS appearing on their single 'Baby Never Say Goodbye' before reuniting with Bardens in PETER B.'S LOONERS. This band, renaming itself PETER BEES, included guitarist PETER GREEN (real name Peter Greenbaum). PETER BEES evolved with the addition of vocalists Beryl Marsden and ROD STEWART to become SHOTGUN EXPRESS.

Within months Green had quit as his romance with Marsden failed and he replaced ERIC CLAPTON in JOHN MAYALL'S BLUESBREAKERS in 1966 as the now legendary 'slow hand' quit to form CREAM. The guitarist joined a band comprising of John Mayall, bassist John McVie and drummer Aynsley Dunbar for the album 'A Hard Road'. Green would eventually be joined in JOHN MAYALL'S BLUESBREAKERS by Fleetwood in April 1967. Bardens meanwhile would later become part of CAMEL.

Fleetwood's tenure with JOHN MAYALL'S BLUESBREAKERS was brief and the drummer only managed to last out for one single 'Double Trouble'. During the sessions for the single Green, McVie and Fleetwood were already plotting an alternative band and with Mayall out of the studio demoed songs including 'First Train Home' and a prescient instrumental 'Fleetwood Mac'.

Fleetwood was fired from the band and shortly after Green quit. McVie remained in JOHN MAYALL'S BLUESBREAKERS so the duo recruited bassist Bob Brunning as a deal was struck with Blue Horizon records. Next recruit was singer / guitarist Jeremy Spencer from THE LEVI SET. This quartet, the inaugural version of FLEETWOOD MAC recorded three songs 'I Believe My Time Ain't Long', 'Rambling Pony' and 'Long Grey Mare', the first two of which made up the band's debut single.

PETER GREEN'S FLEETWOOD MAC made their live debut at the Windsor Jazz & Blues Festival in August with the single being issued in November.

Meantime JOHN MAYALL'S BLUESBREAKERS had veered off into a much Jazzier direction than McVie was counting on prompting the bassist to enter the ranks of FLEETWOOD MAC. Brunning joined Blues Rockers SAVOY BROWN.