Fleetwood Mac was already at the top of their careers by 1979 and became a staple in the rock genre. For their twelfth studio album,Lindsey Buckinghamwrote and sang "Tusk," that's tagged as having one of the best drum intros and an unsuspecting hit among critics.
"Tusk" was released in September 1979 as the New Wave and punk scene was rising in popularity. Buckingham was eager to dive into more experimental sounds on their twelfth album, with Mick Fleetwood once saying that the guitarist wanted to "follow that muse creatively" as their band and many more of their era were being seen as "dinosaurs."
As a result, Buckingham and the band developed "Tusk," which became one of their most experimental tracks and a standout classic. It peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and Cash Box. Critics described the song as having a "mesmerizing quality" and as the "most intriguing" contribution to the album, with UltimateClassicRock calling it one of the best drum solos of all time.
Buckingham once explained that they wanted the drums to have a "hypnotic feel" and found a 15-second section that worked. It led them to make "a circular loop of two-inch tape that went across the room. We let it run for ten minutes and put the song over it." The track even experimented with Kleenex boxes and lamb chops.
"Tusk" also gained attention for its use of a 112-piece marching band from the University of Southern California at the request of Fleetwood. The idea came from something the band co-founder experienced while he was on vacation in Barfleur.
“I was in a room in the town square with a horrific hangover, and I was woken by the sound of the local brass band that relentlessly went round and round the square,” he said, according to Rolling Stone. “As the day went on, they got drunker and drunker. But one thing was apparent. Everyone followed the brass band around the town, and I thought, ‘What a good idea!'”
As Fleetwood secured what he wanted, even the marching band was apprehensive of the recording and where they were going to perform. Wanting an outside setting, they worried renting Dodger Stadium would be costly, until Fleetwood offered to cover the bill. In the end, Dodgers player Ron Cey got it done for free.
Fleetwood Mac soon finished "Tusk" and were adamant that it be the title track for the album. The band felt the track would pique people's interest, with the studio agreeing it would cause conversation among fans due to it being a departure from their usual sound. The track did face some hiccups when copies of it were recalled due to a scratch on the B-side during its manufacturing, with the promo copies the only ones unaffected.
"Tusk" undoubtedly became one of Fleetwood Mac's "weirdest hits" that still stands as a classic decades later.
Related: 1970 Rock Classic, Helping Define the Power Pop Genre, Remains a Timeless Anthem
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