The Autumn Moon

[David]

Fleetwood Mac's fabled backdrop . . . :thumbsup:

There seem to have been several different versions -- some even predating the arrival of Buckingham -- but the most emblematic one, the totemic one, the one that has a talismanic effect on us as fans is the one they started using in 1976.

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee197/clivebrook/AutumnMoon1976.jpg

Just how many different backdrop versions were there? And who painted them? If you stare at that moon for several hours, it has a strangely hypnotic, soporific effect on your train of thought.

Was the designer influenced by the great German Romantic painter Caspar Friedrich -- he of the age of Beethoven & Goethe?

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee197/clivebrook/Friedrich.jpg

Or perhaps influenced by "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"?

http://goupstate.us/UserFiles/Image/greatpump.jpg

[Sanne2]

I always believed they were projected on a screen instead of being painted on?
It looked to me like they were changing during the show, but maybe I got it wrong :shrug:
I always thought it looked really cool!
Here are some more pictures of the background and differend versions:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/Sanne2/Stevie/14-2.jpg http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/Sanne2/Stevie/029-4.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/Sanne2/Stevie/st-WA31.jpg http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/Sanne2/Stevie/066-1.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/Sanne2/Stevie/072-3.jpg http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/Sanne2/Stevie/081.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/Sanne2/Stevie/St-Rum8-1.jpg http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/Sanne2/Stevie/068-1.jpg

[dnightshade]

I've always loved that backdrop! Def. gives a mystical feel to their already mystical shows.

[Somajoseph]

I always loved the moon background too, in fact, when I went to my first Mac show at the L.A. Forum in December of 1979, I was really disappointed when they didnt use it. I had seen it in pics, and just assumed it would be used again. I think it really worked for them. Simple but dramatic.

[shackin'up]

I've never noticed the eyes in the moon. It's an archaic image. Millions will have an FM-association with the "moon through the wintertree"-image. It's been their Penguin on stage.

Ijust now I realize it was just a painted backdrop. Thanks for the Image-class, David.:cool:

[Sarah]

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/Sanne2/Stevie/14-2.jpg

HARK! THE RETURN OF SHORT SHORTS JOHNNY!

(and Stevie in jeans.)

[chiliD]

I believe they used that backdrop (or one VERY similar) on the 1974 tour, as well. I remember the two times I saw them that tour they had the "Autumn Moon" backdrop.

[Betsy]

David...

What an inspiring thread!

And Sanne2 --- in the words of an old Ringo Starr song...

"Oh, my, my...."

Those photos are brillant...as I am cursing Ark0909 Ebay Scan...I scroll down to see these wonderful shots....

And short-shorts Johnny...? I would have missed THAT completely, if Sarah hadn't mentioned it...

This will be a thread, I visit often...so keep checking the view count, David...

[wildheart048]

I always loved the moon back drop...so cool to see all these pics in a row of it(them) thanks!!