The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com.
Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history!
NOV 26: Happy 80th birthday to John McVie! Best known as the steady, unshakeable bassist of Fleetwood Mac, McVie has built a legacy defined by subtle brilliance and enduring consistency. Born on November 26, 1945 in London, McVie began his musical journey in the early 1960s, joining John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, where his tasteful, rhythmic approach to bass playing helped shape the band’s evolving sound. It was during this period that he met drummer Mick Fleetwood, forming a musical bond that would become one of rock’s most dependable rhythm sections.
In 1967, McVie followed Fleetwood into a new project—Fleetwood Mac—soon becoming the “Mac” in the group’s name. Through the band’s many stylistic shifts, from blues roots to polished pop-rock, McVie’s playing remained the anchor. His understated style, marked by warm tone and melodic movement, provided the foundation for some of the group’s biggest hits, including “Go Your Own Way,” “Dreams,” and “The Chain,” which features one of rock’s most iconic bass breakdowns.
McVie’s personal and musical partnership with keyboardist Christine McVie added further depth to the band’s story, with their chemistry shining through onstage and in the studio despite the turbulence surrounding Fleetwood Mac’s rise to superstardom. Even after decades of touring, lineup changes, and global acclaim, John McVie remains admired for doing exactly what he has always done best—delivering steady, soulful bass lines that let the music shine.
Photo: Raph_PH [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en]
NOV 30: Happy 70th birthday to Billy Idol! Born William Michael Albert Broad on November 30, 1955, Idol is one of the defining figures of the 1980s rock and post-punk era, a performer whose sneering charisma, spiked platinum hair, and leather-clad swagger made him an international icon. Raised in both England and the United States, Idol first tasted success as a member of the punk band Generation X, where he built a reputation for combining raw energy with a surprisingly melodic sensibility. When he relocated to New York City in the early 1980s, he launched a solo career that fused punk attitude with catchy, radio-ready hooks and emerging MTV-driven visuals.
His self-titled 1982 debut album, followed by the smash Rebel Yell in 1983, produced a string of hits such as “White Wedding,” “Dancing with Myself,” “Eyes Without a Face,” and the anthemic title track “Rebel Yell.” Idol’s videos became staples of MTV, helping to shape the look and style of an entire decade. His collaboration with guitarist Steve Stevens was central to his sound, blending slashing riffs with a polished, modern edge.
Though Idol faced personal struggles and shifting musical trends in the 1990s, he mounted a strong comeback with the 2005 album Devil’s Playground and later releases. Today, he remains a dynamic live performer, celebrated for his enduring influence on punk-infused rock and his unmistakable rock-and-roll persona.
Photo: Dharmabumstead [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en]
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