john mcvie t/s...

 Born on this date, November 26, 1945 in Ealing, Middlesex UK, John McVie, bassist with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and Fleetwood Mac. His surname, combined with that of Mick Fleetwood, was the inspiration for the band's name. He joined Fleetwood Mac shortly after its formation by guitarist Peter Green in 1967, replacing temporary bass guitarist Bob Brunning. McVie and Fleetwood are the only two members of the group to appear on every Fleetwood Mac release, and for over forty years have been the group's only remaining original members. In 1968, McVie married blues pianist and singer Christine Perfect, who became a member of Fleetwood Mac two years later. John and Christine McVie divorced in 1977. Around this time the band recorded the album Rumours, a major artistic and commercial success that borrowed its title from the turmoils in McVie's and other band members' marriages and relationships. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 as a member of Fleetwood Mac.

Around the time of McVie's tenure as a tax inspector, John Mayall began forming a Chicago-style blues band, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. Initially Mayall wanted to recruit bass player Cliff Barton of the Cyril Davies All Stars for the rhythm section of his new band. Barton declined, however, but gave him McVie's phone number, urging Mayall to give the talented young bass player a chance in the Bluesbreakers. Mayall contacted McVie, and asked him to audition for his band. Soon thereafter, McVie got an offer to play bass in the Bluesbreakers. McVie accepted while still holding down his daytime job for a further nine months before becoming a musician full-time. Under Mayall's tutelage, McVie, not having had any formal training in music, learned to play the blues mainly by listening to B.B. King and Willie Dixon records given to him by Mayall. Also John McVie was the bands bassist for four and one-half years including during that time recording with band members Eric Clapton (on the legendary "Beano" album), Peter Green (A Hard Road) and Mick Taylor (Crusade). During that time John McVie was being fired and re- hired several times. One of his temporary replacements was Jack Bruce.

Beginning as a blues band led by Peter Green and including Fleetwood, McVie and Jeremy Spencer (later adding Danny Kirwan) the band gradually evolved into an consistently fascinating rock band after Green's departure and the addition of American Bob Welch. Still, larger commercial success eluded them until a move to California. Welch left the band and Fleetwood recruited Americans, guitarist Lindsay Buckingham and singer Stevie Nicks. With this lineup, Fleetwood Mac went on to enjoy huge international success selling millions of albums and touring to sold out arenas for several years.

During the recording of Rumours, John and Christine McVie's marriage unraveled and the couple divorced the same year. As a way to put behind the hurt and final dissolution, several of Christine's songs on this album were about John McVie, particularly "Don't Stop". John McVie remarried in 1978 to Julie Ann Reubens, but still continued to drink heavily. An alcohol-induced seizure in 1987 finally prompted McVie to stop drinking altogether and he has been sober ever since. In 1989, McVie's wife Julie Ann gave birth to their first child, a daughter, Molly Elizabeth McVie. In his spare time, McVie is a sailing enthusiast, and he nearly got lost at least once on a Pacific voyage. A naturally reclusive man, his involvement with Fleetwood Mac has been constant but notably low-key, despite the fact that the band takes the "Mac" part of its name from him.