The Chain (Live 1997)

Zoo Freaks, get ready to vibe with some cosmic trivia about Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain (Live 1997)" from their iconic live album The Dance, spinning on THE ZOO radio station! This track, originally from their 1977 masterpiece Rumours, is the only song credited to all five members of the classic lineup: Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie, John McVie, and Mick Fleetwood. The song’s creation was a wild patchwork of rejected solo bits, stitched together like a musical Frankenstein at the Record Plant in Sausalito, California. Engineers Ken Caillat and Richard Dashut literally spliced tapes with a razor blade to fuse Lindsey’s recycled intro from a 1973 Buckingham-Nicks track, "Lola (My Love)," with John McVie’s thumping bass riff and Stevie Nicks’ raw lyrics about her breakup with Buckingham. Mick Fleetwood once shared in an interview with Lucky 98 FM, “'The Chain' basically came out of a jam. That song was put together as distinct from someone literally sitting down and writing a song.” The live 1997 version, captured at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, on May 23, 1997, crackles with the reunited band’s chemistry, hitting number 30 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Its iconic bassline even became the theme for BBC’s Formula One coverage from 1978 to 1996 and again from 2009 to 2015, making it a UK staple.

The song’s emotional heft comes from its reflection of the band’s internal turmoil during the Rumours era. Stevie Nicks’ lyrics, including the gut-punch line “if you don’t love me now, you will never love me again,” were born from her split with Lindsey Buckingham, while the McVies’ marriage and Mick Fleetwood’s relationship with Jenny Boyd were also crumbling. Amy Lee of Evanescence, who covered the song in 2020, said on YouTube, “The lyrics make me feel the power of standing together against great forces trying to pull us apart, perhaps even from the inside.” Fans on Reddit rave about different live versions, with one user, u/aymansrahman, praising the 1982 LA Forum performance for Buckingham’s “unrivaled passionate lead vocal” and an “insane extended guitar solo.” The 1997 The Dance rendition, though, is special for marking the reunion of the Rumours-era lineup after a decade apart, with a performance so electric that @Nickslive celebrated its 24th anniversary in 2021, noting its MTV special roots. The song’s universal appeal has led to covers by artists like Harry Styles and CHINCHILLA, and its use in films like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

Fleetwood Mac’s journey began in London in 1967, when guitarist Peter Green formed the band, naming it after drummer Mick Fleetwood and bassist John McVie. Initially a British blues outfit, they scored a UK number-one single with “Albatross” in 1968. Green’s departure in 1970, due to mental health struggles and LSD use, marked a turning point. Christine McVie, then a session musician and John’s wife, joined as a full-time member, bringing her soulful vocals and keyboards. The game-changer came in 1975 when Mick Fleetwood, desperate for a guitarist after Bob Welch’s exit, heard Lindsey Buckingham’s work with Stevie Nicks on their Buckingham Nicks album. Buckingham insisted Nicks join too, and the duo’s arrival transformed the band into a pop-rock juggernaut. Their 1975 self-titled album and 1977’s Rumours skyrocketed them to global fame, selling over 120 million records worldwide. Despite personal dramas—divorces, affairs, and substance abuse—their creative synergy produced timeless hits. The band’s resilience shone in their 1997 reunion for The Dance, proving their legacy endures.

Stay connected with Fleetwood Mac through their official Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates and nostalgic throwbacks. Fans can dive deeper at Fleetwood Mac News, a fan-run site with tour dates and band updates, or join the vibrant Fleetwood Mac Fans Facebook group to swap stories and rare finds. For Zoo Freaks craving more, check out THECHAINROCKS.COM, a tribute band site that captures the spirit of Fleetwood Mac’s live magic. Keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, and let “The Chain” keep you linked to the groove!