Bob Brunning

Bob Brunning was born on June 29, 1943 in Bournemouth which was (at that time) in Hampshire.

Although Mick Fleetwood and John McVie are generally labeled as 'original founding members' of Fleetwood Mac, Bob Brunning was actually the original bass player in the group before McVie. Hired by Peter Green, knowing full well he was only temporary until they won John McVie over, Brunning appeared with the group in their public debut at the Windsor Jazz and Blues Festival in August, 1967. Brunning can be heard on a handful of early Fleetwood Mac songs such as 'I Believe My Time Ain't Long,' 'Rambling Pony No. 2,' and 'Long Grey Mare.' After leaving Fleetwood Mac, he remained friendly with the members of the band.  After Fleetwood Mac, Brunning joined Savoy Brown.  He went on to form the Brunning Sunflower Blues Band, Tramp and The Deluxe Blues Band and also later became a teacher at a London School.  He enjoyed a career in education for 30 years.

He also ran a blues club, called "B. B.'s Blues Club" and for years regularly put on a blues festival every August.

In addition to accepting gigs as lecturer and having managed a record label, Brunning is  also the author of Fleetwood Mac: Behind the Masks, Blues: The British Connection, and Fleetwood Mac: The First 30 Years.

Bob Brunning passed away of a heart attack on October 18, 2011.    He was 68 years old.  He and his first wife,  Sujatin Elspeth Johnson, had two children: Simon and Rachel.  Bob also had a son Daniel, with his second wife Halina. He was survived by six grandchildren.  He is the first member of Fleetwood Mac (sixteen members in all) to have died.