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Bob Weston
Robert Weston was recruited into the Fleetwood
Mac line-up in late 1972 as replacement for
troubled young guitarist Danny Kirwan. Together
with fellow new boy Dave Walker, Fleetwood
Mac recorded the Penguin album in January
1973. Weston's contribution to the album was
mainly as a lead guitarist, but he stood out
thanks to his slide guitar skills (Remember
Me} and his accomplished harmonica and banjo
playing. He also sang with Christine McVie
on the song "Did You Ever Love Me",
and wrote the engaging instrumental that closed
the album, "Caught In The Rain".
Later in 1973 Dave Walker was asked to leave
the band, and the remaining members of Fleetwood
Mac recorded their next album, Mystery To
Me. Weston contributed more solid guitar work,
with his slide intro on "Why" being
a particular highlight. He also co-wrote one
track, "Forever", with Welch and
John McVie.
During a tour of the US in late 1973, when
the band were beginning to gel particularly
well, clouds began to form as it emerged that
Weston had been having an affair with Mick
Fleetwood's wife, Jenny Boyd. Fleetwood tried
to carry on regardless, but eventually after
a gig in Nebraska, he had had enough. Weston
was fired and the rest of the tour was cancelled,
the band members each travelling to a different
part of the world to gather their thoughts.
It was this situation which gave rise to the
astonishing "Fake Mac" affair -
manager Clifford Davis elected to recruit
entirely new musicians, pass them off as Fleetwood
Mac, and send them out to complete the tour.
Although the fake band were quickly rumbled
by fans, the subsequent legal battle lasted
years, draining the band of most of their
creative energy.
Arguably Bob Weston had a very big effect
on the Fleetwood Mac story, perhaps greater
than his musical legacy, since it was this
turmoil which strongly contributed to Welch's
disenchantment with life in Fleetwood Mac,
and his departure in late 1974 paved the way
for the arrival of Lindsey Buckingham and
Stevie Nicks, who would help the band on to
superstar status.
Weston went on to record a few solo albums,
all of which are now quite hard to find. Perhaps
proving that there were no hard feelings,
Mick Fleetwood contributed drums to one track
on Weston's second solo album, Studio Picks.
User
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