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A Short Autobiography |
I was born in West Hartlepool, England, July 4, 1948. My interest in music began at the age of 9 when I first started taking piano lessons. My real desire, however, was to learn to play the guitar and sing like Cliff Richard and the Shadows, and Buddy Holly. But because we couldn't afford a guitar, I didn't get a hold of one till I was 15. In the meantime, I got excited about the piano after hearing Jerry Lee Lewis and Ray Charles. So actually, the piano was the first instrument I learnt to play.
While at art college I heard a recording of Elmore James, a 50's electric slide guitar blues player. I knew at that moment that that was who I wanted to play and sing like. I was 16 years old.
A year later I broke my leg and was unable to work for several weeks. It turned out to be a golden opportunity-the key that unlocked the door to my musical career-as I acquired one of Elmore James' albums during that time and began learning the songs from the record and the technique of Elmore's slide guitar while confined to an armchair!-A blessing in disguise.
I joined Fleetwood Mac at its formation in August 1967 with Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie. (Peter had split from John Mayall's "Blues Breakers" because of his desire to form a more "pure," less jazz-oriented blues band.) Over the next few years, Fleetwood Mac became known as a big British blues band with several number one hits such as "Albatross." I played both the slide guitar and sometimes the piano for the group during this time.
I left Fleetwood Mac in 1971, basically to get a different perspective on life. I wasn't satisfied with myself or the type of music I was doing. I just felt I'd dried up. Since leaving Fleetwood Mac, I've been playing music and using my talents to promote social causes worldwide.
It was a refreshing experience to play to audiences in India for the first time in March '95, and then again during 1998. Their response to what I play has brought me back for the third time.
* Shortly before his India Tour '98, Jeremy Spencer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with the founding and present members of Fleetwood Mac, and several other world-class musicians.
Click here for a videos of him in action.
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