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‘Then Play On’: Behind Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac Swansong
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In Depth

‘Then Play On’: Behind Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac Swansong

Marking the departure of Peter Green and the introduction of Danny Kirwan, ‘Then Play On’ found Fleetwood Mac exploring new horizons.

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Released in September 1969, Then Play On was the third studio album from Fleetwood Mac, and it marked the point where everything changed for the group. Their first two records – 1968’s self-titled debut album and the same year’s Mr Wonderful – established them as major players in the British blues boom and introduced the world to the virtuosic and innovative guitar playing of Peter Green, the band’s leader. But a combination of Green’s fast-expanding musical horizons and the introduction of teenage guitar prodigy Danny Kirwan ensured that Then Play On would be a massive step forward for the band. It would also prove to be Green’s last full-length album with the group he founded, making for a pivotal moment in Fleetwood Mac’s evolution.

Listen to ‘Then Play On’ here.

The backstory: “I would never have done Albatross if it wasn’t for Danny”

On the recommendation of Blue Horizon label founder and producer Mike Vernon, Peter Green had checked out a show by the then 17-year-old Kirwan’s previous band, Boilerhouse, and, immediately impressed, offered the group a support slot. Handily for Kirwan, this coincided with a period of unrest for Fleetwood Mac, during which Green became increasingly frustrated with guitarist Jeremy Spencer. Kirwan joined the band shortly before the release of Mr Wonderful, and played his first show with them on 14 August 1968, at The Blue Horizon Club, upstairs at The Nag’s Head in Battersea, London.

Two months after joining Fleetwood Mac, Kirwan made his first recording with the band, trading lilting and subtle guitar licks on the Green-penned instrumental track Albatross. The velveteen, near-ambient beauty conjured by the pair sent the single to the top of the UK singles chart, and Green later praised Kirwan for his contribution: “I would never have done Albatross if it wasn’t for Danny. I would never have had a No 1 hit record.” The wistful, endlessly sad Man Of The World followed in April 1969 and reached No.2, further emboldening the band to move away from their blues roots.

The songs: “I think it’s fair to say that a lot of this stuff was groundbreaking”

That pair of game-changing singles cemented Kirwan’s place in the group to the extent that he contributed seven songs to Then Play On, his folkier influences shining through on the doe-eyed, nursery-rhyme-like When You Say, the languid blues of Without You, and the sweet, baroque folk-pop of Although The Sun Is Shining. That’s not to say Kirwan couldn’t mix it with the blues-rock set, as proved with the bongo fury of opener Coming Your Way (complete with a grandstanding coda that foreshadows The Beatles’ I Want You (She’s So Heavy)) and the heads-down chug of One Sunny Day.

Drummer Mick Fleetwood – along with bassist John McVie, one of only two ever-presents in Fleetwood Mac’s ever-changing line-up – sang Kirwan’s praises to Classic Rock in 2021. “Peter gave him half the album, just integrated that sensibility, didn’t even think about it,” Fleetwood said. “Danny brought an incredible amount of talent into the band, by the way… Peter was going forward, starting to write more. So it worked out fantastically when he found himself a compadre in Danny, who was really creative, and did all that lovely work on Albatross, which is really all about the harmonic tone. Looking back, I think it’s fair to say that a lot of this stuff was groundbreaking.”

While Kirwan’s songs suggested a rare talent caught in its intriguing nascency, Green’s contributions were evidence of a creative force in full flow. Closing My Eyes occupies a similar realm to Man Of The World, with luminous lead guitar lines lighting up the song’s fathoms-deep melancholy. Show-Biz Blues comes from an entirely different place, the band working up a raunchy shuffle behind Green’s breakneck slide playing and lyrics that deal with the ostracising effect of fame. Meanwhile, Rattlesnake Shake was a reminder of Green’s scintillating blues playing, even if the lyrics focus on Mick Fleetwood’s tips for staying faithful on the road.

Further evidence of Green’s interest in distancing himself from straightforward blues-rock came with the instrumentals Fighting For Madge (credited to Mick Fleetwood), Searching For Madge (John McVie) and Underway (Green). In a break from the straightforward, live-in-the-studio run-throughs of the first two albums, Green compiled the tracks from several hours of improvisation, suggesting a tantalising new avenue for the band to explore.

Tragically, Green’s deteriorating mental health, exacerbated by a growing fondness for strong psychedelics, meant that he was slipping away from the band. Then Play On was followed by two stunning singles – the thrilling riff-fest of Oh Well (which featured on US versions of Then Play On) and the deep and doomy The Green Manalishi (With The Two Prong Crown) – after which, Green left Fleetwood Mac, making his last live appearance with the band on 28 May 1970, at the Roundhouse, London.

The release and legacy: “Fleetwood Mac’s story is all about survival”

Talking to Classic Rock, Mick Fleetwood looked back on Green’s exit. “I don’t want to talk too much about the woes of what happened,” the drummer reflected. “I think he was just so not equipped to being such a powerful entity. And then the drugs… He was one person who didn’t need any of that shit. He was so sensitive anyway…

“Fleetwood Mac’s story is all about survival,” the drummer added. “What you would say about Peter was, he was not able to survive. I’m just saying that he was not equipped. He was not equipped for that journey. For whatever reason, I may never quite know.”

Released on 19 September 1969 and reaching No.6 in the UK, Then Play On could have marked the beginning of a deep journey of musical exploration led by Peter Green, but that wasn’t to be. Instead, the album serves as a lasting reminder of Green’s genius while also introducing the precocious talent of Danny Kirwan. There would be so much more incredible music – and drama – to come.

Buy ‘The Best Of Fleetwood Mac: 1969-1974’.

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