"For the good, the true and the beautiful, although in some cases the warning ‘message’ or ‘feel’ of a song or piece of music can be good and true but not necessarily beautiful."

Jeremy Spencer: The Pilgrim Music

Early Life: Born on 4 July 1948, in West Hartlepool, Northern England, Jeremy Spencer began learning the piano at age nine and playing the guitar at 15. While at art school in Staffordshire, he discovered Elmore James, emulated his style, and formed his own band, the Levi Set in his hometown of Lichfield. His slide work and pounding voice caught the attention of record producer, Mike Vernon, who then convinced Peter Green to check out the pint-sized dynamo. Fleetwood Mac: Alongside Peter’s B. B. King-influenced style, Jeremy’s contribution to the blues-based Fleetwood Mac consisted of singing and playing slide guitar in the manner of Elmore James, along with performing tunes by 50’s performers such as Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly. The band’s unique sound of driving blues contributed to Fleetwood Mac’s international success. Jeremy recorded a solo album, simply titled, Jeremy Spencer, released in 1970. Besides one serious blues number, he light-heartedly covered rockabilly, surf, and 50’s ballads. Becoming disheartened with his lack of inspiration, Jeremy left Fleetwood Mac in 1971 to pursue a spiritual path as a Christian.                                        (Photo: Jeremy Spencer)

Post-Fleetwood Mac: In 1972, he released Jeremy Spencer and the Children and Flee in 1979. Although he continued to avidly compose and occasionally perform, it would not be until 2005 that he would return to a commercial studio to record an unplugged CD and DVD called Jeremy Spencer in Session with an accomplished accompanying guitarist, Dave Briggs. A few months later, he recorded the album Precious Little in Norway with seasoned bluesmen, the Trond Ytterbo band. In 2012, Jeremy released Bend in the Road and two years later, Coventry Blue. On both albums, he collaborated with Detroit team of Brett Lucas and his band Saint Cecilia. In 1998, along with the founding and present members of Fleetwood Mac, Jeremy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Due to his commitment to charity concerts in India at that time, he missed the induction ceremony held in the USA. Today: Jeremy’s mastery of slide has improved with age, and he is especially encouraged that his present musical style is appealing to many of the younger generation who know little or nothing of his association with Fleetwood Mac. Besides his musical endeavours, Jeremy’s artistic illustrations and creative writing further document inspirational forces at work. He is working in his home studio, creating new tracks and a number of tracks garnered from his 50-odd years of musical inspiration. His music is available online via a variety of music sites.

Interview by Michael Limnios                Archive: Jeremy Spencer, 2011 Interview

How has the Blues/Rock Counterculture influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

For some years I lived in Brazil and have seen an interest in blues slowly develop there, until now it seems quite popular. I don’t know why. When I lived there in the late seventies, their music in general sounded more Latin of course, rhythmically influenced – you know, with its bossa-nova, bongos and maracas feel along with romantic, largely happy lyrics about love, food and sex! I have since wondered if the increasingly depressive state of the world could have some effect on a populace’s musical desire and taste; somewhat like the increased taste for lowdown American blues in England during the late 50’s and especially the 60’s, ironically singing and swinging alongside ‘free’ love!

I lived for a few months in France in the early seventies, and it seemed that aside from jazz, the blues was not so much the ‘in thing’ at the time, but later the music of Dire Straits, for example, was catching on with its blues-laced inferences. Surprisingly, during my occasional concerts in India in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, I found welcome appreciation for my slide-bending skills even from local citizens who liked the classic qualities of the sitar! An aside here. When recently playing some gigs in Poland and Prague, I was informed that American and Western music was restricted under the communist government, the exception being the blues, because it related to ‘poverty-stricken common man’. So much for its ‘counter-culture’!

"When I left Fleetwood Mac to be with the Children of God. It was not easy at first and my decision hurt a lot of family and friends, for which I will always be sorry. But as history has proven, Fleetwood Mac went on to be one of the biggest modern musical phenomena which I imagine they would never have been if I’d have stuck with them in the state I was in at the time! And I went on to develop the talents and skills I knew I had and discover those for which I was unaware." (Photo: Jeremy Spencer)

Where does your creative drive come from?

It’s a gift, and with a gift is a Giver, and I try to honour the Giver as best I can with my limitations! The finished result is never perfect, and I try to keep that in mind when working on something, ensuring that it is not dying of improvements! Sometimes it’s not what you put in, it’s what you leave out. ‘Less is more’ can be an overused cliché, but why is it overused? Like most so-called cliches, it’s true.

Along this line is when I became interested in writing a story designed for pre-teenage kids, my kickstart into the craft came from a dear friend who gave me a slim volume entitled ‘The Elements of Style’ by William Strunk and E. B. White. Its basic theme was ‘Omit unnecessary words’. 

For example, ‘he lifted up his head and looked up into the sky above,’ should be ‘he looked up’ or ‘at the sky’, or ‘he trudged slowly’ be simply ‘he trudged’.

Or ‘He wore a grim expression on his face,’ should be ‘He wore a grim expression.’ (On what other part of the body would you have an expression?)

And when it comes to conversation, let the dialogue express the emotion. For example: “Get out!” he commanded sharply’ should be simply “’Get out!” he said.’ A downside to this is that I can hardly enjoy a good ‘read’ these days once I notice the author is given to such bloated writing!

I am sure that you, being a writer, are aware of these pitfalls!

What's the balance in music between technique and soul?

The balance between the left and right! Like the old song goes about love ‘n marriage: ‘Ya can’t have one without the other.’                 (Photos: Fleetwood Mac & Jeremy Spencer)

"Depends on what ‘music’ you are referring to. When I have been asked what music or bands I like, I usually say that it is not so much a band or style, but a song associated with them. (In a few cases, the song arresting my attention has even been by a band whose music I would normally dislike!) But I do miss (from what little I listen to nowadays) the level and attention to vocal, melody and lyrics."

What moment changed your life the most?

When I left Fleetwood Mac to be with the Children of God. It was not easy at first and my decision hurt a lot of family and friends, for which I will always be sorry. But as history has proven, Fleetwood Mac went on to be one of the biggest modern musical phenomena which I imagine they would never have been if I’d have stuck with them in the state I was in at the time! And I went on to develop the talents and skills I knew I had and discover those for which I was unaware.

Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you?

Musically, I would say meeting Peter Green at the Birmingham gig that night in 1967 and his asking me to join the new blues band that he was about start.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past?

Depends on what ‘music’ you are referring to. When I have been asked what music or bands I like, I usually say that it is not so much a band or style, but a song associated with them. (In a few cases, the song arresting my attention has even been by a band whose music I would normally dislike!)

But I do miss (from what little I listen to nowadays) the level and attention to vocal, melody and lyrics.

What are your hopes and fears for the future of music?

Someone sent me a video (Muireann Bradley / I Kept These Old Blues) of a young Irish girl playing in the Blind Willie McTell / Missippi John Hurt style, which gives me hope for such young country blues musicians of tomorrow. My fear is that someone like her would get swallowed up in the business and lose that innocent soul. My prayer is that she can continue to take vital time away from the trappings of the world.

John Coltrane said, "My music is the spiritual expression of what I am...". How do you understand the spirit, music, and the meaning of life?

I agree with Mr. Coltrane on that.

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications?

It has tremendous impact, and sometimes an insidious effect whether the audience and even the musicians themselves realise it. I just saw this fact manifested on a BBC video on the history of Disco.

"My fear is that someone like her would get swallowed up in the business and lose that innocent soul. My prayer is that she can continue to take vital time away from the trappings of the world."

(Photo: Jeremy Spencer)

How do you want the music to affect people?

For the good, the true and the beautiful, although in some cases the warning ‘message’ or ‘feel’ of a song or piece of music can be good and true but not necessarily beautiful.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Woah, that’s too big a question, which shows me that I’m still learning! I’ll wait on this!

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