Danny Kirwan Transition

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Lore & Background

Despite his musical contributions, the period was fraught with personal challenges for Kirwan. Shortly after the release of Mr. Wonderful, 18-year-old guitarist Danny Kirwan joined the band, making Fleetwood Mac a five-piece with three guitarists. In November 1968, with Kirwan in the band, they released their first number-one single in Europe, 'Albatross', an instrumental with lead guitar by both Green and Kirwan. Green said later that the success of 'Albatross' was thanks to Kirwan: 'If it wasn't for Danny, I would never have had a number one hit record.' The songwriting for Then Play On, which saw the band broaden their style away from straight blues, was handled mostly by Green and Kirwan. Spencer did not contribute any songs, but released a solo album in early 1970, which featured backing from Fleetwood, McVie and Kirwan. Green, Spencer, and Kirwan left the band in succession during 1970–1972.

In Their Own Story

The stage lights hummed with a low buzz as Danny tuned his guitar one last time. The room felt colder than usual, the silence between chords stretching longer than intended. He looked at the others across the dimly lit floorboards; they were already moving toward a new horizon he couldn't follow. Packing his case, he knew this wasn't just leaving a band, but stepping out of a dream that had changed shape without him.

Reader's Guide

Chapter One: The Arrival In 1968, shortly after the release of Mr. Wonderful, 18-year-old guitarist Danny Kirwan joined the band, making Fleetwood Mac a five-piece with three guitarists. Kirwan had previously been in the South London blues trio Boilerhouse with Trevor Stevens (bass) and Dave Terrey (drums). Green and Fleetwood had watched Boilerhouse rehearse in a basement boiler-room, and Green had been so impressed that he invited the band to play support slots for Fleetwood Mac. When Stevens and Terrey were not prepared to turn professional, Fleetwood invited Kirwan to join Fleetwood Mac as a third guitarist. Chapter Two: Creative Peak In November 1968, with Kirwan in the band, they released their first number-one single in Europe, 'Albatross', an instrumental with lead guitar by both Green and Kirwan. Green said later that the success of 'Albatross' was thanks to Kirwan: 'If it wasn't for Danny, I would never have had a number one hit record.' The songwriting for Then Play On, which saw the band broaden their style away from straight blues, was handled mostly by Green and Kirwan. Spencer did not contribute any songs, but released a solo album in early 1970, which featured backing from Fleetwood, McVie and Kirwan. Chapter Three: The Departure Green, Spencer, and Kirwan left the band in succession during 1970–1972. This departure cleared the path for future lineup changes that would eventually take the band across the Atlantic into a new musical landscape.

Did You Know?

• Kirwan had previously been in the South London blues trio Boilerhouse with Trevor Stevens (bass) and Dave Terrey (drums).
• Green and Fleetwood watched Boilerhouse rehearse in a basement boiler-room, and Green was so impressed he invited the band to play support slots for Fleetwood Mac.
• When Stevens and Terrey were not prepared to turn professional, Fleetwood invited Kirwan to join Fleetwood Mac as a third guitarist.
• In November 1968, with Kirwan in the band, they released their first number-one single in Europe, 'Albatross', an instrumental with lead guitar by both Green and Kirwan.
• Green said later that the success of 'Albatross' was thanks to Kirwan: 'If it wasn't for Danny, I would never have had a number one hit record.'