Fleetwood Mac’s Mick Fleetwood might be one of the most iconic drummers in rock history, but according to him, he pretty much got there by accident.
In a candid conversation on Here’s The Thing with Alec Baldwin, the founding member of one of the most legendary bands of all time opened up about how he navigated life – and music – while being “completely dyslexic.”
“I’d say I started hitting furniture when I was about eight,” Fleetwood said, reflecting on his early (and unconventional) path to percussion. By his teens, he was drumming “on a serious level,” even though he admits he was still mostly winging it.
“I had not one iota of academic prowess whatsoever,” he said. “I still don’t know my alphabet. People think I’m joking. I’m not. I really don’t know what I’m doing – honestly. It just comes out.”
While some might argue that a lack of formal training would hold a musician back, Fleetwood’s story proves the opposite.
His intuitive approach to rhythm helped define Fleetwood Mac’s signature sound – tracks like Dreams, The Chain, and Go Your Own Way remain cultural touchstones, beloved by generations of fans and constantly rediscovered by new ones.
Catch the full episode here…
