Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” is enjoying a resurgence, thanks to TikTok, where tracks like “Dreams” and “Silver Springs” are captivating new generations of listeners. But did you know “Rumours” was crafted in Sausalito?
As many know, the making of “Rumours” was filled with personal challenges. The band—Mick Fleetwood (drums), John McVie (bass), Christine McVie (keyboards/vocals), Stevie Nicks (vocals), and Lindsey Buckingham (guitar/vocals)—was dealing with breakups, divorces, and infidelity, which were reflected in the raw, emotional lyrics of the album (Here’s a TikTok flow chart, for reference). “Rumours” went on to sell over 40 million copies and won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1978.
In 1976, seeking a break from Los Angeles, the band relocated to the historic Record Plant in Sausalito for about two months to record their eleventh studio album. The studio, frequented by legendary artists like Stevie Wonder, Prince, Dave Matthews Band, and Mariah Carey, provided a serene yet vibrant environment just across the bay from San Francisco.
Nestled right by the water, the Record Plant housed seven rooms and was windowless, allowing the band to focus intensely on their music. Stevie Nicks described the move, saying, “We wanted to go somewhere that was really vibe-y.”
In an interview with Bustle, Nicks recalled walking into the Record Plant studio with her iconic track, “Dreams.” Written in just 10 minutes in a black-and-red room with a sunken pit that belonged to Sly Stone, the song initially faced skepticism from her bandmates. However, they recorded “Dreams” the very next day. The song not only became a staple on the Billboard charts over the years, well into the 2020s, but also earned the #9 spot on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Lindsey Buckingham noted how Sausalito’s idealistic vibe, a stark contrast to Los Angeles, helped channel their creativity, saying, “Sausalito, as an extension of San Francisco and the music scene up there, was a smaller community that had far more idealistic underpinnings.”
One of the band’s regular haunts in Sausalito was The Trident, a hotspot for rock and movie stars of the 1970s, widely compared to Studio 54 in New York. Fun fact: Robin Williams worked there as a busser!
The creative process also saw them venture beyond Sausalito. The late, great Christine McVie composed “Songbird” at Record Plant, and to capture its ethereal quality, their producer recommended recording it in a concert hall. This led to an all-night session at Zellerbach Auditorium in Berkeley, where the iconic track was recorded.
Visit These Historic Fleetwood Mac Spots in Sausalito
- Record Plant: While the original Record Plant in Sausalito is no longer in operation and is now under the name 2200 Studios, you can still drive by at 2200 Marinship Way, Sausalito, CA 94965 to see the location where “Rumours” was first crafted.
- The Trident: Located at 558 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965, The Trident remains a restaurant and bar with spectacular waterfront views. It’s a great spot to soak in some 70s rock history, while enjoying a meal.
Enjoy exploring these pieces of music history on your next trip to Sausalito!