DOUGLAS MCPHERSON
Rolling Stone magazine called the addition of Billy Burnette and Rick Vito “the best thing that ever happened to Fleetwood Mac” and praised Behind The Mask, the 1990 album they sang and played on, as the band’s “most together” since Rumours. Burnette joined the group in 1987, replacing Lindsey Buckingham, and stayed until 1995. He came with a pure rock pedigree. His father Dorsey played bass with Billy’s uncle in the pioneering Johnny Burnette Rock’n’roll Trio in the 50s and Billy made his first record –a duet with Rick Nelson – at the age of seven. He went on to enjoy a successful country music career and wrote songs for artists including Roy Orbison and Ray Charles. Burnette also worked on side projects by Fleetwood Mac members Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, and joined Mick Fleetwood’s Zoo.