How The Band’s Name Came About
You would think that Mick Fleetwood came up with the name Fleetwood Mac for this band, but it actually wasn’t his idea. Peter Green, who was a guitar player for the band, recruited Mick Fleetwood to come and play with John Mayall. Green had just replaced Clapton on the guitar and made sure to poach other great artists. It was actually Green who suggested that they call the band Fleetwood Mac after Mick Fleetwood and their bassist John McVie.
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Fleetwood told the Irish Times in an interview, “Peter could have been the stereotypical superstar guitar player and control freak, but that wasn’t his style. He named the band after the bass player and drummer, for Christ’s sake.” He added, “he was always willing to give as much space and creative freedom to other members.”