"Shakin' The Cage" by The Zoo

The Zoo was a one-off side project for Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac released in 1992. Despite the boatload of talent in the group, The Zoo did not capture the attention of radio back in the day, partly due to the rise of grunge.

"Shakin' The Cage" is the title track to the album and is a high-energy rocker certain to get you moving.

"Looking For The Next Best Thing" by Warren Zevon

Warren Zevon was a singer and songwriter from Chicago who is largely considered a one-hit wonder thanks to his classic "Werewolves Of London" peaking at #21 in 1978. A lot of people don't know that members of Fleetwood Mac (Mick Fleetwood and John McVie) supplied the rhythm section on this tune.

Zevon actually had one additional chart hit: "A Certain Girl," which featured Jackson Browne on backing vocals, topped out at #57 in 1980. Zevon's uncommercial style kept radio away, but he was admired by many critics and fellow artists. His songs have been covered, most notably by Linda Ronstadt (who took "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" to #31 in 1978, and sampled by Kid Rock, who used "Werewolves Of London" on his #23 hit from 2008, "All Summer Long."

"Looking For The Next Big Thing" is an overlooked gem in his catalogue that can be found on his 1982 album, "The Envoy." Zevon passed away in 2003 at the age of 56 after a bout with cancer.

"He's Really Got A Hold On Her" by Bob Welch

Bob Welch was a guitarist and songwriter who was instrumental in steering early Fleetwood Mac towards a more radio-friendly sound. He was in the band from 1971-1974 (for 5 albums), just before the band exploded with the arrival of his replacements, Linsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks.

Nonetheless, Welch seemed poised to be a superstar on his own as his solo debut "Sentimental Lady" soared to #8 in 1977 (the song features Christine McVie and Buckingham on backing vocals). He followed it up with respectable chart showings for "Ebony Eyes" (#14), "Hot Love, Cold World" (#31), and "Precious Love" (#19).

But that was pretty much the end of the road. Aside from the lackluster "Church," which stalled at #73 in 1979, Welch fell off the radar. His early 80s albums sold badly, as did a comeback he attempted in 1999 called "Bob Welch Looks At Bop." Through the 80s he fell into drug and alcohol addiction, partly due to having Guns N' Roses researching out of his garage. Welch sobered up but was dealt another blow by being snubbed from the induction of Fleetwood Mac into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.

A final blow arrived in 2012, after Welch realized that he would not recover from recent spinal surgery. He committed suicide at the age of 66.

Despite their commercial disappointment, I enjoy Welch's solo work from the 80s. "He's Really Got A Hold On Her" is a selection from his 1983 effort, "Eye Contact."

"Hard Act To Follow" by Split Enz

Split Enz was the group that introduced the amazing Finn brothers, Neil and Tim, who have given the world a ton a great songs and a handful of big hits. In Split Enz, which formed back in the early 70s in New Zealand, Neil Finn's songwriting skills were foreshadowed with "I Got You," which peaked at #53 in the US in 1980. 

Unfortunately, the band could not get any more traction and quickly fall apart. Neil moved on and formed hitmakers Crowded House, which Tim joined occasionally. Neil and Tim have also recored as Finn Brothers in addition to making solo albums. In 2018, Neil replaced Lindsey Buckingham to become a member of Fleetwood Mac.

If there was another song that seemed like it could be the breakthrough Split Enz needed in the US, I would have pegged "Hard Act To Follow" to be it. It comes from the band's 1981 album, "Waiata."

"Imperial Hotel" by Stevie Nicks

Arizona born Stevie (Stephanie) Nicks got her start in the San Francisco group Fritz before meeting Lindsay Buckingham, which led to the duo making history with Fleetwood Mac. Nicks has released a number of solo records beginning with the classic "Bella Donna" in 1981, but she actually made her first appearance on the chart as a solo artist in 1978 when the duet with Kenny Loggins, "Whenever I Call You Friend" went to #5.

Nicks wrote a considerable number of her own songs, but never shied away from a good duet. After success with Loggins, she scored big with Tom Petty. Their first duet, "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" stayed at #3 for six weeks in 1981. She would chart again with Petty in 1986 when "Needles and Pins" hit #37. She also scored a hit with Don Henley of The Eagles in 1981 again with "Leather And Lace," which hit #6. One of her last chart appearances was in 1991, covering "Sometimes It's A Bitch," written by Bon Jovi and Billy Falcon.

"Imperial Hotel" was co-written by Nicks and Mike Campbell (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers) and appeared on her third solo effort, 1985's "Rock A Little." The record spawned chart hits "Talk To Me" (#4), "I Can't Wait" (#16), and "Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You" (#60), but the catchy "Imperial Hotel" did not chart.

In 2018, Stevie Nicks made history as the first woman to be inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame twice, once as a member of a band and again as a solo artist.

"Keeping Secrets" by Christine McVie

Christine McVie has been the keyboardist and one of the hit-making voices in Fleetwood Mac since 1970. While most of the other members of the band have released multiple solo albums, Christie McVie has only indulged in two, not counting her pre-Fleetwood Mac effort from 1970 released under her maiden name, Christine Perfect, or her more recent duo effort with Lindsey Buckingham.

McVie's biggest solo effort came in 1984, following the monstrous success of Fleetwood Mac in the 1970s and early 1980s. It was self-titled record and yielded her only two chart hits: "Got A Hold On Me" (#10) and "Love Will Show Us How" (#30). She would soon regroup with Fleetwood Mac for their hugely successful comeback album, "Tango In The Night."

While most of the tracks are pretty nondescript, "Keeping Secrets" strikes me as an underrated gem. It has a catchy chorus with ear-pleasing harmonies that make it worthwhile. 

"Let It Go, Let It Flow" by Dave Mason

Dave Mason is a singer and songwriter from England originally known for his work in the band Traffic. He struck out on a moderately successful solo career in the 70s. His best known hit was "We Just Disagree," which peaked at #12 in 1977. Mason's only other appearance in the top 40 arrived in 1978 when his version of the Carole King hit "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" peaked at #39.

While reaching a respectable #45 in 1978, I always thought "Let It Go, Let It Flow" was a winner that deserved better.

Mason resurfaced in 1993 as a short-lived member of Fleetwood Mac.

"Say You Will" by Fleetwood Mac

The origins of the legendary Fleetwood Mac go all the way to back to 1969. The name is derived from founding members Mick Fleetwood and John McVie. Christine, John's wife, joined in 1970. But the most significant change for the band that helped catapult them into the limelight was the addition of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks in 1974.

With these five members in place, the band would reach incredible heights, starting with their 1975 self-titled record. It marked a bold change for the band's sound, transforming British Blues into harmonious rock and pop. The band's 1977 masterpiece, "Rumours," remains one of the best-selling albums of all-time and produced their only #1 hit, "Dreams." The record yielded 3 additional top ten hits including "Go Your Own Way" (#10), "Don't Stop" (#3), "You Make Loving Fun" (#9).

The band remained strong all the way until 1990, with additional hits like "Sara" (#7), "Hold Me" (#4), "Big Love" (#5), and "Little Lies" (#4). But with the departure of the irreplaceable Buckingham in 1987, the band struggled to maintain success.

A surprise comeback record was released in 2003 called "Say You Will." Overall it marked the 17th studio record for the band. It is a mixed affair, but the title track provides a reminder of what makes Fleetwood Mac so amazing and should have put the band back on the charts. And can you hear Sheryl Crow on backing vocals?

The record did give the band one last appearance on the top 100. The track "Peacekeeper" waved a white flag at #80. 

"Begin Again" by Colbie Caillat

Daughter of the man who produced the classic Fleetwood Mac albums "Rumors" and "Tusk", Colbie Caillat expanded the family tradition and became a chart sensation throughout the 2000s. In one of the biggest missed opportunities for American Idol, for which she was rejected twice, Colbie's debut album "Coco" soared to #5 on the Billboard Top 200 in 2007. The record spawned "Bubbly", one of the songs she played to audition for American Idol, which also got to #5.

"Begin Again" can be found on her 2009 sophomore record, "Breakthrough", which debuted at the #1 position on the album chart. This song was considered as a single, but eventually others were chosen. I think it would have been another hit for her.

"Countdown" by Lindsey Buckingham

One of the greatest guitarists of our times, Lindsey Buckingham sometimes doesn't get enough credit for his many other talents. His solo records are often true solo records - he not only sings the songs he writes, but also plays nearly every other instrument on the track.

Buckingham released two solo albums during the 80s while still performing duties for hitmakers Fleetwood Mac. He broke with the band after their hugely successful 1987 record, "Tango in the Night". Hunkering down for several years, he emerged with his third solo record in 1992, "Out of the Cradle".

"Out of the Cradle" did not perform as well as his previous solo outings, stalling at #128 on the Billboard Top 200. The cheery single, "Countdown", probably would have been on Casey Kasem's "Countdown" if it came out a few years earlier and not when angst was in vogue. Another overlooked highlight on "Out of the Cradle" is "Soul Drifter" - be sure to check that one out too.