The biggest successes of Fleetwood Mac revolved around the creative collaboration of Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie, and Stevie Nicks. Every one of the band’s U.S. Top 10 hits bears their distinct influence.
In a similar vein, Fleetwood Mac’s solo discography is primarily defined by this trio. Together, they have released 10 Top 40 solo albums: Nicks has seven – including three Top 10 albums, highlighted by her 1981 chart-topping solo debut. Buckingham contributed two, while McVie has one Top 40 LP. (Buckingham and McVie also achieved a No. 17 U.S. hit with a 2017 project that began as Fleetwood Mac’s 18th studio album.)
The total number of Top 40 albums released by all other main songwriting contributors of the group? Just one: Bob Welch. Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood, and John McVie were too inconsistent, while Jeremy Spencer initially deviated from his solid blues roots.
Nevertheless, Fleetwood Mac’s narrative would be incomplete without their impactful contributions.
What Are the Best Fleetwood Mac Solo Albums?
Peter Green’s “Albatross” reached No. 1 in the U.K. in 1968, followed by “Oh Well,” which peaked at No. 2 in 1969. (A complete reworking of his “Black Magic Woman” also became a signature song for Santana.) Welch originally penned “Sentimental Lady” for a 1972 Fleetwood Mac studio project before reviving it as a solo hit five years later. The Fleetwood Mac deep cut “Hypnotized,” written by Welch, became a rock radio staple in the early ’70s.
READ MORE: The Most Overlooked Song From Each Fleetwood Mac LP
Fleetwood and John McVie received co-writing credits on “The Chain,” after Fleetwood introduced Buckingham and Nicks into the lineup. Their presence amidst the sunlit romanticism that Christine McVie consistently radiated often overshadowed everyone else. Their solo careers reflected this dynamic as well.
There have been more than 45 Fleetwood Mac solo albums. (UCR)
As you will discover in the subsequent ranking of the best (and worst) solo albums from each member of Fleetwood Mac, often-overlooked figures like Green, Fleetwood, Kirwan, John McVie, Spencer, Welch, and Weston made significant contributions as well. There were numerous missteps along the way too.
Some bandmates from the group’s extensive history between 1967 and 2022 were not included – such as Bob Brunning (1967), Dave Walker (1972-1973), Billy Burnette (1987-1995), Rick Vito (1987-1990), Dave Mason (1993-1995), Bekka Bramlett (1993-1995), Mike Campbell (2018-2022), and Neil Finn (2018–2022). They were either only touring members, lacked mainstream success, or were absent from any key Fleetwood Mac albums.
The Best (and Worst) Solo Album From Every Member of Fleetwood Mac
