1972 to 1973

FLEETWOOD MAC's status in America was riding high despite the band's internal flux. A tour to promote 'Future Games' saw VAN MORRISON as support before European dates found the band guesting for SAVOY BROWN and DEEP PURPLE. A further album 'Bare Trees' was recorded that would give creedance to Welch's talents within the band as his 'Sentimental Lady' gave the band another radio hit in America.

Kirwan's position within the band was now on shaky ground. As Welch was purely a rhythm player Kirwan was forced into taking all the lead solos and the pressure was beginning to tell. Unfortunately he was also repeating Green's mistakes with the false comforts of drink and drugs.

Kirwan boiled over before a show when an argument about tuning guitars ended in the guitarist deliberating smashing his head against a wall and smashing his guitar. The band did the gig without him with Welch trying to cover the solos. Kirwan apparantly waited for the band to finish then criticized Welch's playing ability. Fleetwood fired him on the spot. FLEETWOOD MAC journeyed back to Britain looking for a substitute yet again.

The band's management decided FLEETWOOD MAC required a focal point onstage of a charismatic lead singer. Birmingham born Dave Walker, previously with IDLE RACE and SAVOY BROWN, joined the band for their 1972 American tour. His last album for SAVOY BROWN 'Lion's Share' was released during this time.

On guitar the band drafted Bob Weston from ASHKAN and LONG JOHN BALDRY.

Meantime JEREMY SPENCER released a religious album titled 'Jeremy Spencer And The Children'. It's content was predictable.

Although ostensibly a lead vocalist Walker only featured on two tracks on the 'Penguin' album, one written by the singer and the other a cover of the Rock n' Roll staple '(I'm A) Roadrunner'. The album also PETER GREEN on the song 'Night Watch' although the former band leader was uncredited. Regardless the album became their biggest hit in America to date.

'Albatross' was re-released in Britain and reached number 2 but to their dismay British press reports claimed the band had broken up. In reality FLEETWOOD MAC had tired of Walker and let the singer go.

Walker would found HUNGRY FIGHTER reuniting with another FLEETWOOD MAC refugee guitarist Danny Kirwan and CHICKENSHACK / SAVOY BROWN guitarist Andy Silvester. This band soon folded and Walker would much later reappear briefly fronting BLACK SABBATH in 1978. He would rejoin SAVOY BROWN in the 80's.

To end the year FLEETWOOD MAC busied themselves with a new album 'Mystery To Me'. It contained another Welch written US radio hit with 'Hypnotized' and a version of THE YARDBIRDS 'For Your Love'.

Fleetwood turned up as a guest on ALVIN LEE's 'On The Road To Freedom' album as the band hit the road in America once again..

The band had been kept in view with the November release of 'Mystery To Me'. The record gave the band another American hit and went on to sell some quarter of a million copies. All was not well though within the band as war broke out between Weston and Fleetwood. The guitarist had grown too close to Fleetwood's wife and the resulting bust up saw Weston sacked in October. A devastated Fleetwood cancelled the rest of the tour.