Fleetwood Mac — Tusk

JUL 01 1979 · 12:00

Fleetwood Mac — Tusk (1979) Director: Rodney Davis Era: Late Classic Rock / Pre-MTV Promo Era (1979) - Transitional moment between album-era promotional films and the imminent music video broadcast revolution; one of the most elaborate location-shot promo clips of the pre-MTV period Exceptionally high. This is one of a small number of pre-MTV music videos with confirmed large-scale location production, a known director credit, richly documented behind-the-scenes oral history, and enduring cultural afterlife (USC anthem, platinum certification, repeated stadium revival performances). The video is a primary document of the late-1970s arena rock industry's relationship to promotional media, Los Angeles geography, and collegiate music culture. Its warm, documentary-register visual palette and moderate editing pace offer a striking contrast to the frenetic post-MTV clip aesthetic, making it a critical reference point for periodizing the transition from promotional film to music video as a distinct art form. Context: Released in September 1979 as the lead single from the double-LP 'Tusk,' the video captures a defining tension of the late classic rock era: the world's biggest band (fresh off the 40-million-selling 'Rumours') deliberately subverting commercial expectations under the creative direction of Lindsey Buckingham, who was infatuated with post-punk acts like Talking Heads. The deployment of over 112 members of the USC Trojan Marching Band — recorded live at an empty Dodger Stadium — was an act of both logistical audacity and aesthetic eccentricity at a moment when promotional clips were still minor afterthoughts to radio promotion. The video pre-dates MTV by two years, yet MTV adopted it upon launch as one of few available clips from major rock acts. The collaboration became a piece of USC and Los Angeles cultural mythology, with 'Tusk' becoming the Trojan Band's unofficial fight song and the Spirit of Troy ultimately earning a platinum album certification for their contribution. Director notes: Filmed on June 4, 1979 at an empty Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The production was conceived by Mick Fleetwood, who personally funded the session. Approximately 120 members of the USC Trojan Marching Band participated, each paid one dollar. The shoot was a combined audio recording and video capture event, with sound trucks positioned around the stadium perimeter. A multi-person film crew with handheld cameras documented the day in a documentary style, capturing the band rehearsing, performing, and interacting with band members. Key visual elements include Stevie Nicks twirling a baton (a skill learned in high school), Christine McVie carrying a glass of wine on the field, Mick Fleetwood ferrying a life-size cardboard cutout of the absent John McVie (who was sailing to Hawaii), and Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie wearing USC Trojan helmets. The footage was subsequently edited into the promotional clip. When MTV launched in 1981, the network played the video despite the song having been released two years earlier, as it lacked sufficient rock clip inventory.