August 2, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Making “Rumours” – The Inside Story Of Classic Fleetwood Mac Album:

By Mary Avila

In February 1976, Fleetwood Mac convened at the Record Plant in Sausalito, California, with hired engineers Ken Caillat and Richard Dashut. The more technically adept Caillat was responsible for most of the engineering and producing of the band’s eleventh studio album “Rumours.”

Caillat, now a Santa Monica resident, said he nor anyone else could ever imagine what the future held for this album.

The tension was so immense, with two couples breaking up. Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buchkingham had a screaming match while recording the song “You Make Loving Fun” while Christine and John McVie were not speaking to each other.

Caillat’s ability for a particular sound is amazing. He felt that Christine Mcvie’s “Songbird” should be recorded in a concert hall’s ambiance. This was recorded in an all-night session at Zellerbach Auditorium, across San Francisco Bay in Berkeley.

But, through everything, the music was heartfelt. The intense emotions and expertise of Caillat made Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” album one of a kind.

First of all, I want to thank you for this interview. It is such an honor to interview an award winning producer. You produced three albums from Fleetwood Mac, but also Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, and Michael Jackson just to name a few major artists.

Thank you, Mary.

What inspired you to write your book after so many years had passed?

I actually wrote it because my friends kept repeating my stories of the events of making “Rumours” to their friends and eventually one of them told a New York City literary agent. He contacted me and said he was interested in representing me in shopping a book about my experiences and stories making “Rumours.”

In your book you told numerous stories of drugs, drinking, and fights between couples. What was the worst experience in making this album during that year? And were there a few bad experiences?

There weren’t very many bad experience except sleep deprivation, but I think the worse thing was when the master multi-track tape wore out in the middle of recording and we thought we were going to lose the entire album. Fortunately a miracle occurred and allowed us to save the album.

You produced the albums “Rumours,” “Tusk,” and “Mirage” for Fleetwood Mac. Do you feel that “Rumours” was the most excruciating album to produce?

Not at all, as we all got wealthier and more spoiled, life became more intolerable.

Now, you have known all of the members of Fleetwood Mac. Do you think they have changed from the “Rumours” days?

Absolutely now that they’re older, wiser and sober they are enjoying more their success.

How do you feel about the music industry of now, compared to the music industry of 40 years ago?

Artists are getting young and more talented now but the labels are fighting digital piracy and a shorter audience attention span. So the industry wide sales are down and labels take fewer chance and want more assurances from artists on their success potential, leaving a growing pool of unsigned talent. My label Sleeping Giant Music Group was built to help the many unsigned artists.

You have quite an ear for mixing the tracks. What was missing in “Gold Dust Woman.” And what did you do to get that sound for the track?

Well I think the song hinged on the keys and the cowbell and of course Stevie’s vocals. Ultimately, we took it to the weird/spooky side with things like an electric harpsichord thru an effects box called a jet phaser. We actually had to order it, to make gold dust spookier, mick actually played the keyboard like a percussion instrument. We had to put marker tape on the keys that would be in the songs key so he wouldn’t play a bad note. After that we turned down the lights and let Stevie howl like a banshee in the end of the song. And we bought some large panes of glass and bought Mick overalls and a hammer and goggles, put him on a ladder with the glass and had him swing away!

Your daughter Colbie is such an amazing singer. Are there any plans for a concert tour in the future for Colbie?

Thank you. My daughter will be touring throughout the spring and summer on and off while writing new songs for her next album and also writing songs for movies.

Will you be writing another book soon?

Yes, I’m considering write the full sorry about the magic and dysfunction and tension of making the two follow-up albums to “Rumours.” I also have a sci-fi planned and a children’s book about music.

Ken are you still friends with Fleetwood Mac?

Yes, but we are all so busy, I did go to their recent concert, On with The Show. They were excellent as usual.

Thank you Ken, I am sure everyone can’t wait for you new book.

Thank you Mary, I will let you know when it is published.

in News
<>Related Posts

Heidi Klum’s Tropical Erewhon Smoothie Drops Just in Time for Summer

August 2, 2025

August 2, 2025

Supermodel’s Limited-Edition Drink Blends Kiwi, Coconut, and Matcha Erewhon has debuted its newest celebrity smoothie collaboration, this time with supermodel...

California Bolsters Firefighting Fleet Amid Federal Cuts

August 2, 2025

August 2, 2025

The transition, which began in 2020, equips the fleet with advanced technology, including a 1,000-gallon water capacity—nearly triple that of...

Big Blue Bus to Restore Service on Route to Palisades

August 2, 2025

August 2, 2025

The restoration is part of a broader summer service overhaul aimed at improving coverage across the Westside The Big Blue...

Fatal Crash Claims 9-Year-Old’s Life in Los Angeles

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and was arrested for driving under the influence A tragic traffic...

Malibu Hires New City Manager: Ronda Perez to Lead as City Eyes Recovery and Rebuilding

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

Veteran Public Administrator Ronda Perez Brings Nearly 20 Years of Experience to Malibu The Malibu City Council has voted unanimously...

Santa Monica Creates Film Office to Streamline Permitting and Production Services

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

New Agency Will Take Over From FilmLA After More Than a Decade Beginning September 1, 2025, film permit coordination in...

Santa Monica Pier Launches “PIERfect Benefit” Fundraiser Amid Recovery Efforts

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

The gathering will feature food, signature cocktails, live entertainment, and a program reflecting the Pier’s history and future. Proceeds will...

THIS WEEKEND: 49th Annual Festival of the Chariots to Roll Through Santa Monica and Venice

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

The festival site at Ocean Front Walk Plaza will transform into a lively showcase of Indian culture, expecting around 50,000...

Film Review: The Fantastic Four: First Steps

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

FILM REVIEWTHE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPSRated PG-13115 MinutesReleased July 25th  The Fantastic Four: First Steps has a different aura from...

Aging Mindfully: Zen-Inspired Senior Living Takes Shape in Simi Valley

July 31, 2025

July 31, 2025

Two Zen-inspired senior living communities are embracing the reality of aging — consciously. Ensō Village, open since 2023 in Sonoma County,...

Palisades, Malibu Among Areas Exempt from SB 9 Under Newsom’s Wildfire Safety Order

July 31, 2025

July 31, 2025

Newsom Sides with LA Leaders on SB 9 Freeze, Mayor Bass Issues Executive Order Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday signed...

‘All Stars’ National Night Out Coming to Santa Monica on Tuesday

July 31, 2025

July 31, 2025

The event, themed “Santa Monica All Stars,” aims to foster police-community partnerships through a sports-inspired evening The Santa Monica Police...

City of Santa Monica Issues Statement on Surprise DTSM Board Member Replacement

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

Santa Monica City Government Defends Emergency Action and Process After the surprising move from the City Council, six members of...

Texas Kitchen Chain to Open Santa Monica Location at Former Fresh Corn Grill Site

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

The Santa Monica outpost will occupy a 3,050-square-foot space featuring a newly built kitchen and a large outdoor patio HomeState,...

Film Review: Together

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

By Dolores Quintana Dave Franco and Alison Brie, a married couple in real life, star in Michael Shanks’ gruesomely passionate...