The Autumn Moon

[David]

Fleetwood Mac's fabled backdrop . . .

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.



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?



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

[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
I always thought it looked really cool!
Here are some more pictures of the background and differend versions:

[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.

[Sarah]

Originally Posted by Sanne2

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!!