WATCH: Mick Fleetwood Reunites With USC Trojan Marching Band for Thunderous ‘Tusk’ Performance
via USC Trojan Marching Band / YouTube
Mick Fleetwood surprised fans by joining the USC Trojan Marching Band for a live performance of the Fleetwood Mac hit “Tusk” during a college football game in November 2025. The moment brought together rock history and college spirit in a way few expected, reconnecting the drummer with a group that played a key role in one of Fleetwood Mac’s most unusual recordings.
The performance took place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Nov. 7, 2025, before a game between the University of Southern California Trojans and Northwestern University. Fleetwood, now 78, stood alongside the marching band at halftime, playing the complex and rhythmic track he first recorded nearly 46 years earlier with the band’s original lineup.
Historic Collaboration in 1979
The song “Tusk” first became linked with USC in 1979, when Fleetwood Mac invited 112 members of the Trojan Marching Band to join them for the recording. The band agreed to play at Dodger Stadium, creating a sound that mixed rock with the bold brass and percussion of a collegiate ensemble. That blend stood out on the group’s Tusk album and helped the single reach No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for three weeks.
This was one of the most ambitious collaborations of its era, and the unique recording session was filmed as part of the music video and promotional material. Fleetwood wanted a bold, more experimental sound for the song, and the marching band’s powerful presence gave it a striking identity.
A Return to the Field
When Fleetwood returned to perform with the marching band in 2025, many fans were thrilled to see the long-time drummer still active and engaged with the music. Wearing a golden Corinthian-style helmet during the halftime show, Fleetwood played drums throughout the performance of “Tusk,” adding a visual touch that echoed both rock and pageantry.
The Trojan Marching Band’s connection to the song has continued over the decades. After the original recording in 1979, they joined Fleetwood Mac onstage at The Forum in Los Angeles and again for the band’s 1997 live album The Dance. That album captured the energy of live performances and included another collaborative performance of “Tusk.”
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Fan Reaction and Legacy
Fans who saw the 2025 performance praised Fleetwood for his energy and timing, noting how well he meshed with the band even after many years. Social media posts from attendees highlighted both the surprise of seeing him on the field and the thrill of hearing “Tusk” performed in its intended style with the full marching ensemble.
Long after its release, “Tusk” remains one of Fleetwood Mac’s most memorable songs, in part because of its daring use of a college marching band in the original recording. Fleetwood’s return to perform with the USC band restored a full circle moment for a song that still resonates with fans of rock and college music alike.
