Big Mac Attack at SPAC

by Irv Dean, The Post-Star, July 28, 1978

Nearly 30,000 feverish Fleetwood Mac fans flocked to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center Wednesday night to hear the popular rock group perform.

The official attendance was 29,458, although park police offered a considerably higher estimate. The official figure fell short of breaking SPAC’s all-time high attendance of 33,000 in 1971 for The Who.

Remarkably, park police reported only “35 or 40” arrests Wednesday night for offenses ranging from disorderly conduct to assault, but no felony arrests.

The crowd roared its delight when the group finally appeared on stage following the warm-up appearance of Bob Welch, a former Mac member, and what seemed like an interminably long setup period after Welch took his leave.

But the diehard Mac fans waited with relative patience and were rewarded with a fast-paced, frenzied show showcasing songs from the group’s “Rumours” album, and its earlier LP, “Fleetwood Mac.”

From the crowd’s viewpoint, Mac could do no wrong, but Stevie Nicks, the waifish blonde vocalist, did seem at sea through at least the first half of the concert as she wandered aimlessly about the stage or occasionally plopped down on the floor, enveloping herself in her flowing costume and half-heartedly shaking her tambourine.

She seemed to come alive for her songs – including “Rhiannon,” “Dreams,” “Sister of the Moon,” and “Gold Dust Woman” – and they were greeted with thunderous applause from her thousands of faithful fans. Similarly, singer-guitarist Lindsey Buckingham and drummer Mick Fleetwood, the group’s leader, were rewarded for their performances with screams for more and riotous applause.

Keyboardist Christine McVie brought down the house with her “Oh Daddy,” “Say You Love Me,” and “You Make Loving Fun.” Buckingham’s “Go Your Own Way” was one of the night’s high points, bringing the crowd to its feet as they undulated in the aisles and stood on seats to applaud wildly and shriek for more. The reaction was similar when Buckingham, who was shorn of beard and sporting a conservative haircut, sang “Blue Letter” and “Second Hand News.”

Buckingham and bassist John McVie teamed for some first-rate instrumentals, and Fleetwood was in rare form as he sent ripples of his powerful drumming reverberating through the amphitheater, building to an emotionally draining climax.

Welch and his band performed “Sentimental Lady” from earlier Fleetwood Mac days, and the more recent “Ebony Eyes.” Their set was short-lived, however, with Welch uttering in retreat, “I know what you’re all here for.”

That, of course, was Fleetwood Mac. They came back for two encores. The crowd was still clamoring for more after the group had slipped off the grounds of The Spa.

Despite the sea of people on the lawn, the exodus was reasonably fluid.

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