John Graham McVie (created 26 November 1945) is a British bass guitar guitarist best known as a part of rock groups John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and Fleetwood Mac. His surname, united with that of Mick Fleetwood, was the inspiration for the group’s name. He joined Fleetwood Mac soon after its creation by guitarist Peter Green in 1967, replacing temporary bassist Bob Brunning.
In 1968, he wed blues pianist and vocalist Christine Perfect, who became a part of Fleetwood Mac two years after. John and Christine McVie divorced, yet, in 1977. Around now the group recorded the album “Rumours”, a leading artistic and commercial success that borrowed its name in the turmoils in McVie’s as well as other group members’ unions and relationships.
In 1966, a youthful Peter Green was requested to join Mayall’s Bluesbreakers as the group’s new lead guitar player, after Eric Clapton, the next guitarist together with the group (after Bernie Watson and then Roger Dean), had left. Created by Mike Vernon, they recorded three tracks collectively, “Curly”, “Rubber Duck”, and an instrumental called “Fleetwood Mac”. Mick Fleetwood promptly joined Green’s new group, having been blown off before from the Bluesbreakers for drunkenness. Nevertheless, McVie initially was hesitant to join Fleetwood Mac, not planning to leave the protection and well-paid occupation in the Bluesbreakers, compelling Green to briefly hire a bassist named Bob Brunning. Several weeks after McVie altered his mind, yet, as he believed The Bluesbreakers musical focus were changing too much towards jazz, and he joined Fleetwood Mac on bass guitar in September 1967.
Fleetwood Mac: Tango in the Night, Fleetwood Mac: The Early Years, John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers and Friends: 70th Birthday Concert
Star Sign
Sagittarius
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Trademark
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His Goatee
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Flat Cap
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Loves penguins, and penguin motifs
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Fact
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Has been diagnosed with cancer [October 27, 2013].
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Played bass guitar on Warren Zevon's Top 40 hit "Werewolves of London".
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Fleetwood Mac was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording, at 6608 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
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Despite Fleetwood Mac playing the group's classic song, "Don't Stop", at the White House for a Bill Clinton farewell party in 2001 and allowing the song to be used by the former president as his official theme song in 1992, McVie is actually a staunch Republican.
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Penguins are his favorite animals; in the band photos on the back of Fleetwood Mac's "Future Games" album, a photo of a penguin appears in McVie's place, next to his name.