Wednesday 2/15/23 8pm ET: Feature LP: Fleetwood Mac – Mystery To Me (1973)

Mystery to Me is the eighth studio album by British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac, released on October 15, 1973. This was their last album to feature Bob Weston. Most of the songs were penned by guitarist/singer Bob Welch and keyboardist/singer Christine McVie, who were instrumental in steering the band toward the radio-friendly pop rock that would make them successful a few years later.

Mystery to Me sold moderately well, peaking at number 67 on the US Billboard 200 chart dated December 22 1973. Despite not being a hit single, the song “Hypnotized” became an American FM radio staple for many years. In the wake of the Buckingham/Nicks-led line-up’s success a few years later, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 1976.

1. “Emerald Eyes” 3:37
2. “Believe Me” 4:12
3. “Just Crazy Love” 3:22
4. “Hypnotized” 4:48
5. “Forever” 4:04
6. “Keep On Going” 4:05
7. “The City” 3:35
8. “Miles Away” 3:47
9. “Somebody” 5:00
10. “The Way I Feel” 2:43
11. “For Your Love” 3:44
12. “Why” 4:55

Bob Welch – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar on “Keep on Going”, lead and backing vocals
Bob Weston – electric guitar, slide guitar, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
Christine McVie – keyboards, lead and backing vocals
John McVie – bass guitar
Mick Fleetwood – drums, percussion
Richard Hewson – string arrangements

Wednesday 10pm: Rock Talk with Dominic Forbes

Michael John Kells Fleetwood (born 24 June 1947) is a British musician and actor, best known for his role as the drummer and co-founder of the rock band Fleetwood Mac. Fleetwood, whose surname was merged with that of the group’s bassist John “Mac” McVie to form the name of the band, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.

Born in Redruth, Cornwall, Fleetwood lived in Egypt and Norway for many of his childhood years as his father travelled with the Royal Air Force. Choosing to follow his musical interests, Fleetwood travelled to London at the age of 15, eventually combining with Peter Green, Jeremy Spencer and Bob Brunning, at Green’s behest, to become the first incarnation of Fleetwood Mac. Fleetwood would remain the only member to stay with the band through its ever-changing line-up.

After several album releases and line-up changes, the group moved to the United States in 1974 in an attempt to boost the band’s success. Here Fleetwood invited Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks to join. Buckingham and Nicks contributed to much of Fleetwood Mac’s later commercial success, including the celebrated album Rumours, while Fleetwood’s own determination to keep the band together was essential to the band’s longevity.[1][2] He has also enjoyed a solo career, published written works, and flirted briefly with acting and vinification, as well as opened blues-themed restaurants in Alexandria, VA and Hawaii. – Wikipedia

In Memoriam: Bob Welch (1945 – 2012)

RadioMax will feature two hours of Bob Welch tunes beginning 10pm et Thursday June 7, 2012

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Bob Welch, a former member of Fleetwood Mac who also had a solo career, died Thursday of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said. He was 65.

Police spokesman Don Aaron said Welch’s wife found him with a chest wound at their south Nashville home around 12:15 p.m.

Welch was a guitarist and vocalist for Fleetwood Mac from 1971 to 1974. He formed the British rock group Paris in 1976 and had hits including “Sentimental Lady” in 1977 and “Ebony Eyes” in 1978. Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie and Lindsey Buckingham did backing vocals on “Sentimental Lady.”

Aaron said Welch apparently had had health issues recently. He said a suicide note was left.

Fleetwood Mac’s career took off in the mid-1970s after Welch left the band. “Dreams” was a No. 1 hit in 1977 and “Don’t Stop” the same year. “Don’t Stop” later became the anthem for Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign. “Hold Me” was a hit in 1982, as was “Little Lies” in 1987.

Welch, a native of Los Angeles, scored his biggest hit with “Sentimental Lady,” which reached No. 8 on the Billboard chart. His other singles included “Hot Love, Cold World” in 1978 and “Precious Love” in 1979.