By the time the landmark album Then Play On (1969) was recorded, Kirwan was a primary force, writing half of the songs. His style was more lyrical and atmospheric than the heavy blues that preceded it, visible in tracks like:
Behind the brilliance, Kirwan was a fragile soul. Colleagues described him as "nervous and shy," carrying emotional baggage that the grueling lifestyle of an international touring band only made heavier. Danny Kirwan
: A haunting, melodic opener to Future Games . By the time the landmark album Then Play
: A co-written favorite that became a staple of their live shows. The Shadow of "The Curse" : A haunting, melodic opener to Future Games
: A song widely regarded for its emotional depth and harmonic complexity.
Things came to a tragic head in 1972 during a US tour. In a fit of rage before a show, Kirwan smashed his beloved Gibson Les Paul and refused to go on stage, heckling his own bandmates from the audience instead. He was fired shortly after, marking the beginning of a decades-long struggle with mental health and alcoholism. Obscurity and Grace Category Archives: Danny Kirwan - Fleetwood Mac UK