Michael John Kells “Mick” Fleetwood (born June 24, 1947) is a British musician and actor, best known for his role as the drummer and co-founder of the rock band Fleetwood Mac.
Fleetwood, whose surname was merged with that of John McVie to form the name of the band, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.
Born in Cornwall, Fleetwood lived in Egypt and Norway for many of his childhood years as his father traveled with the Royal Air Force. Choosing to follow his musical interests, Fleetwood traveled to London at the age of fifteen, eventually combining with Peter Green, Jeremy Spencer and Bob Brunning who formed at Green’s behest to become the first incarnation of Fleetwood Mac, of which Fleetwood would remain the only member to stay with the band through its ever-changing line-up.
After several album releases and line-up changes, the group moved to the United States in 1974 in an attempt to boost the band’s success, where Fleetwood invited Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks to join. Buckingham and Nicks contributed to much of Fleetwood Mac’s later commercial success, including the celebrated album Rumours, while Fleetwood’s own determination to keep the band together was essential to the group’s longevity. He has also enjoyed a solo career, published written works, and flirted briefly with acting.