Fleetwood Mac past is full of splits, divorces, extramarital affairs, and altercations. It would be difficult to locate a band with as much drama and internal conflict. Fleetwood Mac’s drama, marked by multiple lineup changes due to band members leaving or briefly quitting after arguments, could provide enough material for a dedicated soap opera.
Nevertheless, in spite of everything, they went on to become one of the most iconic bands in history. Particularly in the 1970s and 1980s when the lineup of Mick Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, and John McVie proved to be successful. The quintet was a hit-making machine, penning some of the band’s greatest songs. Some of them are “Dreams,” “Go Your Own Way,” “Rhiannon,” and “Little Lies.”
That’s not to say there was no drama during that time. Indeed, the band’s most turbulent years were probably the 1970s and 1980s. It was the time when Nicks and Buckingham split up. The McVies also officially announced their divorce.
The band nearly lost out on a lot of excellent songs because of the drama. One song in particular nearly got lost. It took the band fifteen years to perform “Big Love” live, and during arguments, almost everyone had forgotten it.
Lindsey Buckingham originally wrote the track for a solo project during Fleetwood Mac’s early ’80s hiatus after the release of Mirage. The song undeniably showcases Buckingham’s talents and is described by him as a “lustful mid-to-up tempo number featuring love grunts.” ‘Big Love’ stands out as one of his most impressive guitar moments on Fleetwood Mac records.
The McVie family persuaded Buckingham to record the solo track for a new Fleetwood Mac album in 1985, when Christine McVie brought the band back together. Buckingham believed that Tango In the Night, released in 1987, would be their last album, viewing the record as a kind of farewell.
Due to the band’s continuous drama, the album took more than a year to complete. They chose the album’s lead single, “Big Love”, and it went on to become a huge hit. It was peaking at number five on the charts. Nevertheless, Buckingham abruptly left the band before the tour even announced, so the world never got to hear “Big Love” live.
Instead, Fleetwood Mac replaced Buckingham with two guitarists for their September 1987 tour. Buckingham’s complex guitar passages were shared by Billy Burnette and Rick Vito, but “Big Love” remained off the set list.
They would not perform the song live for fifteen years. When Fleetwood Mac and Lindsey Buckingham reunited for the 1997 The Dance tour, they didn’t perform the song “Big Love” live until well into the 1990s.
The wait was worthwhile. The song is still quite energetic in Buckingham’s electrifying live performance. It is a solo acoustic version that is sure to please any crowd. “Big Love” was worth it. Even after all the battles to get the song onto tape and then onto the stage.
