Fleetwood Mac co-founder and drummer Mick Fleetwood is taking his own band on the road this September and October. The tour travels through Colorado – including the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival – California, Washington and ends in British Columbia, Canada.
In addition to its namesake, The Mick Fleetwood Blues Band consists of singer/guitarist Rick Vito, who was also a member of Fleetwood Mac (1987-1991), bassist Lenny Castellanos and keyboardist Mark Johnstone who also provides background vocals. This same line-up recorded a live album Blue Again in 2008, which was nominated for a Grammy® in the Best Traditional Blues Album category.
Fleetwood explained what motivated him to form the band. “Over my career I’ve been called a pop star and a rock star, yet in my inner heart, I will always be part bluesman. On my journey from blues to a life of rock ‘n’ roll, I’ve always remembered where I started.” He also commented on his band mates: “A lot of guys can play the licks, but Rick has the tone and that’s so important in real blues.” He noted of Castellanos, “Any bassist who plays with me has big shoes to fill.”
Aside from originals, The Mick Fleetwood Blues Band repertoire concentrates on material drawn from the formative years of Fleetwood Mac. 1967-1969 Peter Green era songs are covered, such as “Oh Well,” “Rattlesnake Shake,” “Love That Burns” and “Black Magic Woman,” later made famous by Santana. Blues classics like “Shake Your Money Maker” and “When the Levee Breaks” are also key components of the set list.
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No word on a Fleetwood Mac tour; their last dates were in Australia and New Zealand in November 2015.
The Mick Fleetwood Blues Band Tour Dates:
Sept 16 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up Aspen
Sept 17 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre
Sept 18 – Telluride, CO – Telluride Blues & Brews Festival
Sept 20 – Los Angeles, CA – John Anson Ford Amphitheatre
Sept 21 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern
Sept 23 – Grass Valley, CA – Veterans Memorial Auditorium
Sept 24 – Monterey, CA – Golden State Theatre
Sept 25 – Napa, CA – Uptown Theatre
Sept 26 – San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom
Sept 28 – Spokane, WA – Fox Theater
Sept 29 – Aberdeen, WA – D & R Theater
Sept 30 – Coquitlam, BC – Hard Rock Casino Vancouver
Oct 02 – Victoria, BC – University of Victoria/Farquhar Auditorium
