BREAKING: Lindsey Buckingham Leaves Fleetwood Mac (Again)

Well, I'm glad I saw them in 2014 just after Christine's return.

I love Fleetwood Mac and am glad I've been able to see them many times. The band works best when it is the 5 original members together but is still awesome in any form. I saw them in 2013 and Lindsay was being kind of a dick, I felt like he was delivering a dissertation on his music. Saw them again in 2015 and there was none of that nonsense going on.

But Stevie Nicks doesn't play an instrument. Why is she even in the band?

For the twirling r3. It's not Fleetwood Mac without the twirling.

Is he bipolar?

Rolling Stone is reporting he was fired "after a disagreement over the band's upcoming tour". Last year Mick Fleetwood said that he and Stevie had ideas about performing "Buckingham Nicks" songs in concert; maybe that was the "disagreement" Lindsey had. He and Stevie can't even get it together enough to agree to an official "Buckingham Nicks" release.

Sad if true, but if Stevie and Chris are still on board, and fewer of Lindsey's songs and vocals will be in the set, it could make for some interesting live music. No question Finn and Campbell are talented musicians.

On the other hand, this could all just be a negotiating tactic, since no official tour has been confirmed.

Maybe he’s dying.

No, R8 word just in that he was fired over a "disagreement" over the upcoming tour, which always means "he wanted more money."

Still together after all these years?

He is now 68.

Buckingham Nicks songs?? What about Buckingham McVie songs????

Too much money at stake.

He will be there on tour. He’s not handing over his paycheck to Neil fucking Finn or anyone else.

More recent photo of him.

Great photo of him on the sleeve of his hit single Trouble, which I have.

I bet it's Stevie's fault.

Very hot R15!

How much of an asshole did he have to be to get fired from Fleetwood Mac of all bands? And if Christine McVie was on board with it, no less?

The classic incarnation of a handsome, bossy, abusive prick. If he hadn't discovered his innate talent for songwriting, he would have been sharing a cell with Ted Bundy.

"Twirling" is not the same as playing a musical instrument.

Does anyone have details on what happened to make them fire him (That's what Rolling Stone is reporting)?

Stevie's voice is her instrument and the undeniable sound of Fleetwood Mac. I have seen them without her and it just wasn't the same.

R22 but when the other members are on stage singing their solos, Stevie has NOTHING to do because she doesn't play an instrument.

Are Lindsey's nips still pleasantly puffy, or do they point toward the floor?

What does Mick Jagger do when there are instrumental breaks? He does his chicken dance, points, squats, and waits for his turn to bleat again. Everyone here who is admonishing Stevie Nicks for not playing an instrument is a goddamn retard. At least R22 understands what makes a successful band.

Stevie also wrote some of their biggest hits that are still pulling in royalties and putting asses in the seats.

[quote] What does Mick Jagger do when there are instrumental breaks?

Mick Jagger is the LEAD singer and sings 90% of the set. Wheras Fleetwood Mack members, all four take turns singing lead.

Why does it take two musicians, Neil Finn and Mike Campbell, to replace Buckingham? Has Stevie slept with Finn and Campbell?

Stevie owns the tambourine! She also beats a stick on a wooden percussion thing. Both while twirling.

Fleetwood Mac back in the day.

I was always more of a fan of Lindsey than of Fleetwood Mac. I only really liked FM because of him and I love his solo stuff.

He most recently teamed up with Christine for a Buckingham/McVie album that also included some contributions from Mick and John. Stevie was not part of the project.

Lindsey doesn't need the money, that's for sure, so I am betting that Stevie was the issue. I am guessing they can't get along and he figured it wasn't worth it to go on tour with her.

A more recent photo.

They've all hated each other for years, this is not a shock. Campbell is a great choice to replace him.

[quote] so I am betting that Stevie was the issue.

To add insult to injury, Stevie doesn't even play a musical instrument. Leaving the other three to do the heavy lifting

He is the Jackie Martling of Fleetwood Mac.

Something is weird......

Last year it was the Christine and Lindsey project album that came out because Stevie didn't want to tour with the band.

Now she's ready and he isn't?

Either they can't be in a room together, or Lindsey managed to fry any friendliness between him and Christine, too.

Stevie Nicks has said bitchy things about Buckingham in the past. Apparently she/the band had issues with him.

Lindsey still blames Stevie for her anger management issues.

She kicked a girl in the vagina bone once, you know.

The Buckingham/McVie album was a Fleetwood Mac abortion. Steve wanted nothing to do with it so they called it a duet album.

Stevie has said she won't record with them again because she refuses to be locked in a room with people who argue all day. But she will tour because it's easy trotting out the same hits and they all make big bucks.

R12 - please god no, those songs were terrible.

As much as I love Lindsey’s fingerpicking, I love Mike Campbell’s style more. And he’s way easier to work with than Buckingham. Stevie has always wanted to be in The Heartbreakers, and probably misses Tom Petty a lot. I bet she’s friendly with Mike and knew it would kill Lindsey. Plus they’re totally going to do some TPATH covers. I’ll definitely see this tour if tickets aren’t like a grand.

Fine by me. I saw F M 3 times on the last two tours. Lindsey over sang and played every song he sang lead on. He was the worst part of the shows.

Be kind to Stevie. She's a widow, now.

I didn't realize Fleetwood Mac was still a thing that could be left tbh

From 2014 - Fleetwood Mac discuss reunited after 16 years.

And again shots of Stevie Nicks doing absolutely nothing on stage, as she doesn't play an instrument

I ADORE Lindsey. I woud crawl over shards of broken glass for him. I am a Superfan.

However, I’d love to see Mike Campbell play lead guitar with FM.

r43 Ghost Tom, you’re better than this place.

Lindsey and Stevie both said they would not tour together. Lindsey just couldn't take another tour of her bleating and twirling. Stevie already bought new platform boots and corsets for the tour and being a gentleman Lindsey decided to bow out.

R27, please break your insight down into percentages. And what "four" members are you talking about? Stevie sings almost everything, Lindsey and Christine chime in with the odd song and harmonies...who is the fourth? The comatose John McVie? is my math wrong?

Stevie Nicks is the lead singer of the band. Period. The others contribute once in a while. Several, if not MOST, bands do this. Everyone has a role to play. KISS, as a tragic example, has Paul Stanley as the technical lead singer but the other members throw in fairly regularly.

A lead singer is a SINGER, not a lead guitarist, flautist, cellist, drummer...what is this ridiculous argument happening here among people who have obviously never been part of a band? Stevie Nicks is a lead singer and nobody would shell out for a F-Mac concert ticket if they knew she wouldn't be there.

r49 amen. What the singer says GOES, and Stevie is the front-woman. When she left FM they didn’t reuinite AT ALL for 5 years because she’s the money, and the voice.

Yawn. What a drama queen. He’s been such a great success on his own. I’m sure he’ll be fine.

Not too bitter. I could do without Go Insane, I'm So Afraid and Big Love in the setlist.

[quote] Stevie Nicks is the lead singer of the band. Period.

chrsitine mcvie sings "say you love me" & "You Make Lovin; Fun"

Lindsay Buckingham sings "Go Your Own Way"

I don't hear Stevie on those songs

Then you are deaf, R53.

R53 decided to forgo his helmet and face life on its own terms.

Lindsey is too much - his guitar solos are dreadfully long - not just long like "wow, this guy's so good, he should make an extended guitar solo" long - but painfully, awkwardly, get up and leave long.

I think he's one of those creative geniuses who has just gotten too overbearing over time, and lost complete sight of what makes the songs good.

I ❤️ Stevie and her solo songs. The only FM songs I really like are Sara, Seven Wonders and Gypsy.

[quote][R49] amen. What the singer says GOES, and Stevie is the front-woman. When she left FM they didn’t reuinite AT ALL for 5 years because she’s the money, and the voice.

I see FM fans are still in denial about the unfortunate year of me:

Lindsey is a notorious pain in the ass. I guarantee the existing band members are going to be much looser and light and fun with his dark energy absent from this tour. I bet this will be one of their better tours for that reason. I love Lindsey, don’t get me wrong but I can’t say I will miss the obligatory 25 minute version of I’m So Afraid. Momentum killer. And in the spirit of doing some editing- I would also admonish Stevie to do a 3 minute version of Gold dust Woman. A little Gold goes a looooong way.

I love Gold Dust Woman and want the long version, thank you very much, R59. Unlike Lindsey's bombs, it was one of their biggest hits and therefore, she gets to do a 2 mile version if she wants.

I love Gold Dust Woman, but I agree - the extended version is exhausting and unnecessary.

He was FIRED!!!!! LOL!!!!!

I knew this over a week ago, including the replacements.

R62 - OMG, REALLY? You are so damn cool to be on the inside! Wow!

They should call the tour “Nicks McVie”

Tell us why, R62.

Lindsey, you can go your own way.

No matter what they feel about each other after all these years, there is chemistry in the band. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. I hope they are all alive and able to tour next time it works. Otherwise 2015 is their last run. Grateful I got to be there.

Looking at photos of Lindsey when he was young and hot, it's easy to see how Stevie just lost her damn mind over him and was totally dickmatized.

Stevie Nicks SLEPT with all three members of Fleetwood Mac

It's sad that even now, when they're all in their adult diaper years, they're still bickering and carrying on like this.

He always struck me as the biggest prima donna in the band, and that's saying something. Campbell and Finn will be more than able.

One of my favorite bands just died. Lindsey IS Fleetwood Mac.

—Rob Lowe tweet

He doesn't need the money. "Go your Way" is in two different commercials right now.

Saw them without Lindsay in 87. It wasn't the same. I will not see them again without him.

Of course he needs the money. Everyone “needs” more money.

[quote]Stevie sings almost everything, Lindsey and Christine chime in with the odd song and harmonies..

Uh.... have you ever seen Fleetwood Mac? All three of them sing lead vocals and it’s pretty evenly split between them. Stevie actually sang the fewest songs on all five albums by the Rumours lineup.

I love when Fleetheads argue.

Stevie's ULTIMATE REVENGE!!!!!!

Yay!!!!!!!

For my money, I'd rather see Fleetwood Mac without Lindsey and doing a few Tom Petty covers!

Stevie singing Free Falling

Snooze

Stevie and Neil Finn singing "Don't Dream It's Over"!!!

Mick said Stevie wants some lesser known material performed on this tour. I was thinking that maybe she will sing "Freedom" which is on 1990's 'Behind The Mask' album. Stevie wrote the lyrics, of course, with music by... Mike Campbell!

I can just hear Stevie doing the introduction to "Freedom" on the tour, explaining Mike Campbell's Fleetwood Mac roots extending back to 1990! Make it so!

I've never understood DL's love for this whiny asshole. Mike Campbell is a better guitar player, so it's a win-win that Lindsey flounced (again).

LB was FIRED; he didn't quit.

Drunk 50 and 60 somethings who paid hundreds of dollars for a FM concert ticket really want to hear Crowded House songs. Oh yes they do.

R82 is just itching to find a way to reference Madonna in this thread

Why would I reference Vadge? I don't like her any more than prissfaced Lindsey.

r69 she slept with McVie? Didn't hear that one.

Lindsey was always a bit difficult, but there is something incredibly magical about the way their three voices blend together. Drama, thy name is Fleetwood Mac.

To be clear - Stevie Nicks is A lead singer of Fleetwood Mac, not THE lead singer. The band has (had) three lead singers. Look at a set list - the lead vocals are distributed pretty evenly. In terms of the band's hits, Christine wrote and sang more of them than the others.

I love Stevie - she is essential. But so are Christine and Lindsey.

R89.

When Christine came back a few years back, she gave an interview where she said that Lindsey warned her that if she rejoined the band, it had to be 100%. She couldn't just do the tour and quit again. Christine agreed. And now it's Lindsey who's gone.

Lindsey is such a megalomaniac. I'm surprised there has been room for his ego on that stage for quite a while.

Good riddance. You became super boring years ago.

Does anyone have a connection to the band who could give us the real details on how he got fired?

R93 - No one on here really does, but surely a few will be glad to make it sound like they do, and create some "inside scoop" for you!

Stevie's association with Campbell goes back to 1981, and he has guested on some of her solo albums and tours since then, so this new collaboration within FM is a natural and welcome relief from all the drama with Lindsey. I don't know why they need Finn at all -- it's a bit reminiscent of the last time they replaced Miss Lindsey with two guitarists and by 1994 everything had fallen apart. If they just keep the focus on Nicks, Campbell and Christine, they should do just fine.

Will they do "Go Your Own Way"?

guess he wasn't gonna get an equal cut? Dizzy from Guns n Roses said no to the tour due to unequal cuts.

They could cover the Crowded House song “Chocolate Cake.” “Tammy Fae has got enough on her plate!”

Or maybe considering the situation, it’d be more appropriate to cover the Split Enz song “History Never Repeats.”

They were better when they were stoned and drunk. Retire, already.

R97 Izzy not Dizzy.

GnR has/had a Dizzy and an Izzy

Stevie can play the Tambourine better than Tracy Partridge and Belinda Carlisle combined.

I'm glad I got to see all five together on last tour but that was enough for me.

I saw then without Christine years ago. I'm more of a Stevie fan but have to admit Christine coming back had positive effect.

They still have great music chemistry and at the show I went to, they were all in good form. Even if I think they put on an act onstage - especially Lindsey and Stevie. They know the audience like it so they do a bit of flirting and exchanging glances etc. But the gestures are the same for every show and it's all timed.

They both still like to be the centre of attention while the other three keep playing in the background. But last tour it was nice to see Christine come out from behind her keyboard occasionally. In fact it was one of the highlights of the show and I say that as a Stevie fan!

An issue I did have was that each time I saw them, the sound system was way too loud and when there was four of them, it was also distorted. With Christine it sounded a bit more balanced but I think Lindsey likes to make sure that EVERYONE hears EVERY SINGLE PART of his guitar playing, he has it turned up to be especially loud.

He's a phenomenal guitar player. But personality wise, he's a jerk.

He and Stevie can't stand each other anymore, so he started working in the studio with Christine. At first, I thought that might actually work. They don't have as much personal baggage and Christine has more instrumental and studio skills than Stevie. She could probably keep Lindsey in line with his self indulgence.

But here we go. More drama. Is it actually a stunt? Anyway, I'll keep the memory from last tour. Probably shoulda closed out there, having come full circle.

*I think Stevie's tambourine is gaffa taped - it doesn't even make noise. It's just a prop for her and gives her something to do with her hands, but I still love her with all the flaws. She's come through a lot and still has such a lot of charisma, she could get away with murder. Forget Madge - Stevie is the true queen.

R101 I know there is but Izzy Stradlin declined the tour because they didn't offer him equal money. Dizzy was not invited to be part of the tour.

R102 A potted plant could play the tambourine better than Suzanne Crough and it would have cost them less money.

I’m more surprised that Neil Finn has agreed to do this. And I remember a story he once told about how Stevie was a complete bitch to all of the Crowded House band members when they opened for FM back in the 80s.

[quote] All three of them sing lead vocals and it’s pretty evenly split between them. Stevie actually sang the fewest songs on all five albums by the Rumours lineup.

EXACTLY so why is Stevie Nicks hanging around on-stage with nothing to do when she doesn't play an instrument?

R108 is obviously trolling. Stevie wrote some of the band's most iconic songs and biggest hits. And not all of her iconic songs were huge hits. A song like Gold Dust Woman gets played on the classic rock radio stations now and is very associated with the band but wasn't a Billboard hit. The Chain credits all five members with songwriting credits, but Stevie wrote the demo that it was mostly based around. Christine also had a bunch of hits. Lindsey wrote fewer big hits but was crucial in crafting Stevie's songs. He's the reason why they don't sound like plodding three chord demos on the piano. My theory is that Stevie just does not want to spend time with him at all anymore. Stevie spent years putting off making a new Fleetwood Mac album with him until he finally made the album with Christine. Stevie also enjoys demonstrating any chance she gets to Lindsey that she is the bigger star. She is never over competing with him even though she's obviously won the war.

R109 but Stevie does NOTHING between her songs but hanging around the stage as she doesn't play an instrument.

You already said that, R110 - we get it, but no one seems to care.

[quote] but no one seems to care.

Lindsay Buckingham does

Too many care, r111, that's why he keeps saying it. Ignore him for real and he'll stop. Keep responding and he'll do it for another 8 hours.

R81, if Stevie is looking for lesser known songs/songs they've never done live before here are a few I suggest:

No Questions Asked

As Long As You Follow

Paper Doll

Skies The Limit

Welcome to the Room...Sara

Love In Store

Warm Ways

Never Forget

It’s 2018 so Stevie can Snapchat and Sext and play Candy Crush when she’s not on the mic

Cut R110 some slack. He finally earned computer time at his group home and just wants to be part of the conversation.

You know what is missing? Saxophone. The group should have ordered Stevie to take Sax lessons, and not come back to the group until she mastered that instrument. Then she'd have something to do (a few sax melodies) when she wasn't on the mic with her song.

Seems only fair.

On the new tour Stevie is going to do a 25 minute solo playing the tambourine as only she can.

She sings and twirls. That's enough. It's worked for her for decades.

Listen while I play,

my Green Tambourine.......

R118. There is so much crap hanging off that tambourine that it looks like a kite. If not having anything to do when she isn’t singing is such a problem then maybe she can learn how to juggle or they can hoist her up like Pink and fly her around the stadium.

I’m in the minority but I’ve never been a Stevie fan. Got to love her stamina though. She’ll be twirling her shawls around stage in her wheelchair in a decade from now when she’s 90.

Stevie is a very easy target. Lindsey always rubs it in how she doesn't have great technical knowledge of music and relied on him to interpret her ideas - because she's very intuitive and it was always Lindsey who best understood what her vision was, because it wouldn't make sense to anyone else.

Stevie would come back with she didn't have time to properly learn music because she was working so many jobs for him to stay at home and spend all day practicing guitar...

They're all very different people, but somehow it seems to work and together they really are more than the sum of parts. Without all the angst they'd probably just be another dreary old middle of the road band. Many people probably think they're just a radio friendly, easy listening band. But live they still rock hard in their 60s and 70s.

Lindsey needs two guitar players to replace him because with his technique, it often sounds like two guitars playing instead of one - he can do rhythm and lead guitar simultaneously, using the backs of his fingers to add extra notes. That sounds real elaborate but at the same time, there's an economy to his playing.

I get annoyed with his attitude but as a guitar player he is remarkably skilled.

We all know what Stevie was going through in the 80s - Neil's old band Split Enz also had its share of dysfunction and drama. Neil and Tim Finn were obviously inspired by the Everly Brothers, and so were Stevie and Lindsey, with their harmonizing duets. Lindsey once toured with Don Everly to replace Don's brother Phil after they had a huge argument.

So maybe it's not so odd that they chose Neil.

All five are best together. Will not see a FM concert if anyone of them is missing. Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie, especially, are essential for their sound. I saw them without Christine McVie and they were still good without her but I prefer that Christine would have been there because she has a few good songs of her own. No one drums like Mick Fleetwood or plays bass like John McVie.

R124 oh yeah they're still good but something missing if Christine isn't there. Made me realise just what she does contribute to this group, when she returned. Even if they don't all get along they're a very solid unit onstage and I guess know how to read each other. You've either got that chemistry or you don't.

She plays a mean Hammond. And accordian for that matter. Can you imagine an accordian in the middle of a rock concert? But she made it look cool. With all five the atmosphere was really like seeing one of the last great superbands.

Her smoother vocals are a good counter for Stevie's rougher edge, though I'm a big Stevie fan.

One of my favourite clips.

Lindsey must have po'd Stevie at that Music Cares award ceremony recently. Apparently she is recalling his abuse of her and she told Mick "It's him or me' - guess who is going t win that war? Stevie just came off a lucrative tour with the Pretenders and she doesn't need Buckingham's resentment. But they push each other's buttons. Stevie nixed a new FM album because she knew it wouldn't sell and left the bland Buckingham/McVie offering. Last year was the 50th anniversary of the band and the 40th of Rumours and that's when the Mac wanted to tour but Stevie was booked solid. Stevie also recalls on previous albums getting 2 or 3 songs while Christine and Lindsey dominated the studio albums. I don't blame her - at this stage in her career - to just 'provide' some songs to say it's a Fleetwood Mac album. Yeah this is Stevie's revenge and it's been a LONG TIME COMING.

Sounds like Stevie is a miserable cunt.

Christine's songs were always better anyways.

[quote]And not all of her iconic songs were huge hits. A song like Gold Dust Woman gets played on the classic rock radio stations now and is very associated with the band but wasn't a Billboard hit.

Most people who know, and love, "Gold Dust Woman" have no idea about its Billboard status. It has been one of the best songs on Rumours (second only to "Go Your Own Way" to most of us) since Rumours came out. Fuck you and your Billboard singles mentality.

Goldust Woman was never a single. But it - and every song on that album- got FM Radio airplay 24/7 in 1977/78.

I love Stevie but I HATE Gold Dust Woman. It goes on forever and has no hook.

I like Gold Dust Woman but it is too long. lol.

The Gold Dust Woman "hook":

"Well, did she make you cry

Make you break down

Shatter your illusions of love?

Is it over now?

Do you know how

To pick up the pieces and go home?"

Does Lindsey have a big cock and if so does it still function?

Stevie’s musical relationship with Campbell goes back decades. Besides The Heartbreakers has written many songs to which she’s added lyrics. So they sort of co-write together, without actually being in the same room. He sends her the music and if she likes she sets one of her poems to it, sometimes with him producing sometimes not.

DL defends Lindsey because he has a big cock.

And so?

The band would probably prefer to play more non-hit songs on tour, but the audience just wants the Rumours era hits.

Last tour, when they played Bleed To Love Her (one of their best most recent songs) most of the audience fled to the restrooms.

I don't know what the size of whatever, but his ego can be seen from outta space.

Don't know about what R126 is saying or where they got it from. It could well be true, I'm sure Stevie is hella tired of Lindsey.

But I'm thinking there could be other factors involved. Lindsey can be very controlling and on last tour, so much of it seemed focused on him. Perhaps there was some argument over that or what sort of material to be included on next tour.

He's a brilliant guitarist but one of his ex gfs wrote a harrowing book about how he mistreated and abused her - she was physically very badly beaten up.

Some fans probably think it's exaggerations by a bitter ex partner, but there are plenty others who have had same accusations.

Drugs might have played a part in it, in making his temperament a lot worse, but that shouldn't be a cop out. In late 70s and early 80s he suffered some major seizing fits. Probably caused by drugs as well. Sounds to me like a kind of temporal lobe epilepsy condition.

Stevie got a lot of hate for not taking part in the last album, despite having just come off a long world tour with FM. Christine probably had more enthusiasm for it because she'd taken such a long break.

Now Stevie is getting blame for this as well, on a main FM forum site. Among the fans are quite a few who feel quite negatively towards her. Many people still think that FM with Peter Green was the true Fleetwood Mac, and they've never been able to get used to Stevie and Lindsey.

I think perhaps we should just be grateful for the opportunity to see all five together again on last tour, because I had always thought the chances would be nil.

Lindsey Buckingham is just the epitome of the entitled, arrogant, Boomer male. So many of the kids I grew up with had dads with the exact same personality.

This is shocking. It's like a flashback to the worst of times - the 1987 split. I think it's cruel to do this to fans after so many years without Christine and all of the "never break the chain" talk that went on a couple of years back. I'd much rather they just disbanded. I am not interested in seeing them without Lindsey. I can't take the turmoil anymore.

The band's announcement beginning, "We are thrilled..." almost literally make me sick. Who are they kidding? I am PISSED. They look ridiculous.

[quote]Neil Finn (Crowded House) and Mike Campbell (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers) will replace him

then it is NOT fleetwood mac but, crowded fleetwood and A heartbreaker

It’s no wonder Stevie, Lindsey and Christine have all taken breaks from FM over the years. Who the hell wants to keep working with an ex from 40 years ago? Especially when you consider that Stevie fucked both Lindsey and Mick...Even if you got over it decades ago and moved on why would you want to be bothered when you have more money than you’d ever need? It’s just not worth all of the bullshit.

I have exes I don’t have any hard feelings about but that doesn’t mean I’d want to work with them. It’s just gotta be a weird dynamic with all of that history and baggage.

Lindsay son William Buckingham is a model, here are his pics

The people who can afford to shell out $200 for a ticket to see these fossils aren’t spending that money to hear something cutting edge and new. They want to hear Rumours, and get out of there by 11:00 and be in bed by 11:30 because the grandkids are coming over tomorrow after soccer.

only a guy with a small dick can be so insecure.

My guess is Neil Finn is being brought in more for vocals (harmonies) not so much because they need a second guitarist. I've always found Lyndsey's solos and personality grating.

I’m a FM freak and I’ve seen every tour, usually in multiple cities, since 1987. SN solo since 1983. I’ve met all the band members, Lindsey in particular 2 or 3 times.

I know it’s no big surprise, but I’m still sorry to say it — Stevie and Lindsey HATE each other. I’ve been told about their extreme animosity from people very close to them.

At the end of a FM concert about 4 years ago, a woman standing next to me in the front row handed Lindsey an album to sign. He bent down from the stage to pick it up, stood up and looked at it, then violently threw it down on floor at her feet. She had handed him THE WILD HEART album.

As I watched her hand go up into the air holding that STEVIE NICKS ALBUM for LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM TO SIGN I was cringing, it was almost in slow-motion, like Sue Snell following the rope just before the bucket spills.

I know nothing about the firing - I imagine money played a part, but my guess is that it had a whole lot to do with the setlist.

R148 if every FM fan knows about the Lindsey/Stevie feud why would that woman even think that Lindsey would sign an album that is not even his?

I have no idea why she did that. But plenty of FM fans still believe that the planned and orchestrated flirting they do on stage is real.

[R148] I read in the recent Stevie bio (GOLD DUST WOMAN) that Lindsey REALLY REALLY REALLY didn't want to include Stevie solo material in the set list of past tours - especially STAND BACK, which he dislikes.

When, oh when, are we ever going to get a FM biopic? So much dirt and drama. Maybe too much dirt and drama. I've loved them all my life and seen them in concert five times (but I'll probably skip this latest tour).

Christine McVie has always been my favorite part of the group. I love her ethereal voice and her lovely songs like "Songbird" and "Over My Head."

What a great band, and amazing that they're all still alive after all this time and drugs.

Stevie used to ❤️ coke.

I remember reading some FM forum years ago after the big reunion concert that was filmed. Stevie finally got the attention for Landslide that she wanted and at the end of the song she and Lindsey hugged. It apparently happened organically that time but it seems they knew that fans would expect to see that hug again at the end of Landslide on tour and members of that forum noticed that it didn’t take long for that hug to start looking forced and tense. Whatever peace they were able to muster back then didn’t last long at all.

Honestly, the REAL breaking news would be if Lindsey Buckingham decided NOT to leave FM.

I haven't seen them anywhere near as much as r148 but I do believe there is chemistry between Stevie and Lindsey. It's not always evident, but when it is, it is literally electric. It could be driven by hate, that's a special chemistry in itself.

like father like son?

Holy shit, R144! Looks like William inherited Daddy’s beautiful blue eyes AND his alleged sizemeat!

Also, William is clearly a homosexual.

Clearly, r159?

Clearly.

Dongingham

I haven't seen them anywhere near as much as [R148] but I do believe there is chemistry between Stevie and Lindsey. It's not always evident, but when it is, it is literally electric. It could be driven by hate, that's a special chemistry in itself.

I totally agree R156 and you said it well. There is definite chemistry. I suppose there is a fine line between love and hate.

Especially in the 1970s, the sound of their voices together was unmatched.

Why did they delete my reply??

This is sadly ironic given that Lindsey's excellent song ON WITH THE SHOW from Buckingham McVie was all about band solidarity. It's such a shame that they couldn't put aside their differences for the greater good. As a band, Fleetwood Mac is capable of being absolutely ruthless to its individual members. In Carol Ann Harris' book about her relationship with Lindsey she wrote about Lindsey blacking out in the shower and being diagnosed with epilepsy, while all the band cared about was whether he'd make the shows.

"On With the Show - that's the third song I've liked from the Buckingham-McVie album - I wish I had seen them in concert - not really sure if they did a tour to promote the album but I think it's some of the best music from anyone from FM in a long time.

To be fair those differences are pretty huge. It’s pretty remarkable that they’ve been able to work together as much as they have since the breakups.

I always found Lindsey to be quite effeminate. I would swear he's gay if he hadn't carried on a torch of hate for Stevie for the past 40 years. His grudge goes further than her breaking up with him and sleeping with Mick. When the band had lost its series of guitar players in the 70s, Mick heard a record of Lindsey's playing, and Mick was determined to get Lindsey in the band. Lindsey said he and Stevie (his girlfriend at the time) were a package deal, and he'd only join if Stevie could join, too. Both Lindsey and Stevie were welcomed into the band, and then Stevie became a superstar, outshining Lindsey by far. Lindsey was technically a more skilled musician, but Stevie's songs connected with people better. It infuriated Lindsey because he had "helped" her with her songs. But...that was his job, since he produced the albums. Stevie writes pretty simple songs, but it's Lindsey's production that makes them sparkle. His guitar solo at the end of "Gypsy" literally sparkles. The intro guitar lick in Rhiannon turns a music box-y song into a legitimate hard rock anthem. To me, the song "Dreams" would be boring if it wasn't for the dreamy/floating guitar riffs that he uses to weave the sections together. I don't like any of Stevie's solo stuff (except for "Leather and Lace").

[quote]Stevie's songs connected with people better.

Not with me.

Never thought I'd be saying this of my very favorite band but I hope the tour FLOPS. This is so wrong on many levels. Who would have thought that instead of a full-band farewell tour we'd get another version of Fleetwood Mac: Body Snatchers Edition. I can't believe they would do this. It made sense over 30 years ago when TANGO became a huge record generating 4 chart hits but to replace Lindsey for a nostalgia act? Sad. Mick especially should be ashamed of himself - owes Lindsey his fucking life and career.

I only like Stevie Nicks. I hate FM Rumors for the most part. overplayed.

That's a big payday to be passing on because you don't like someone. Must be nice to have money that allows that kind of decision. I'll always love this group, Rumours was the backdrop of my first love affair, but they can keep their drama. I won't be seeing this version of FM.

And not just for Lindsey. Ticket sales won’t be as strong without him. But then i guess the others make up for that by not having to pay his replacements as much. But yeah, they all have FU money. So they don’t have to do anything they don’t want to.

60 + women with very long hair...Why ?

[quote]They've all hated each other for years, this is not a shock. Campbell is a great choice to replace him.

It's never a shock when bands -particularly great ones- hate each other. When you're together that much, familiarity breeds contempt.

R148 what else have the people close to them shared about the band dynamics?

Stevie and Lindsey have been committed to their little war for years. I would be shocked if there isn't eventually some sort of reunion between them.

This video of Stevie crying on stage always gets me.

The photos of William Buckingham upthread must be a different William Buckingham. Lindsey's kid isn't 37.

I’m tired. I’m listening to Tina Turner for energy.

r144, r157, et al -- that's not Lindsey's son. The model is 36, Lindsey's son is only 19.

Here's the actual son, pre-eventual rhinoplasty:

[quote]Stevie’s musical relationship with Campbell goes back decades. Besides The Heartbreakers has written many songs to which she’s added lyrics. So they sort of co-write together, without actually being in the same room. He sends her the music and if she likes she sets one of her poems to it, sometimes with him producing sometimes not

Stevie's extreme "It's him or me!" chain-breaking, and Mike Campbell's speedy hiring, is clearly a result of her still grieving Tom Petty. Stevie's done some, let's say, "odd" things during grief periods.

There were rumors that that McVie/Buckingham CD/tour was less than they'd hoped, and Lindsey couldn't take credit for any of the less-than-stellar performances - surely it had to all be McVie. So, I'm sure that, combined with Stevie not wanting to deal with him, and the whole crew probably being sick to death of his ego and assholery probably voted him out

I wonder if they voted him out behind the scenes before even telling him? or if it was a giant fight with him being the (typical) asshole provoking and being a demanding diva?

Perhaps we'll never know?

What is Neil Finn doing in there? What if he starts singing, "you'd better be home soon, Lindsey Buckingham...."?

Were Stevie and Tom Petty lovers?

r183. Neither one of them has ever given a straight answer to that question.

[quote] The photos of William Buckingham upthread must be a different William Buckingham. Lindsey's kid isn't 37.

and you do realize Lindsey Buckingham is 68 right?

[quote]and you do realize Lindsey Buckingham is 68 right?

What does that have to do with the fact that his son is NOT 37?!

The fake son looks more like Lindsey than his real son does.

He should stop wearing v-neck t-shirts. Put a shirt on.

Relax, Lindsey Buckingham is 27. It is still 1976 and we are still young.

I love his song, "Trouble". Such a pretty melody and arrangement. In the video, he's really mugging for the camera.

R138: I've never read so many angry, hateful comments about Stevie Nicks in my life. I stopped posting on the Fleetwood Mac message boards a long time ago. It used to be fun to discuss her music. People used to share her unreleased demos. (She has enough unreleased music for another lifetime or two.) Now, they mostly just scrutinize everything about her.

R191 such as?

I have a totally crazy idea that is very "Fleetwood Mac" and might actually work. Lindsey has had a pop album in the can for quite some time waiting to be released at the right moment. This would seem to be it. Maybe he could open for the retooled "Fleetwood Mac." Stranger things....

There have been some smart responses on this kind of ugly thread. Of course Finn is in there for vocals, harmony and maybe lead. And yes, they sure can do Go Your Own Way. Lindsey sang and played on songs that predated his hiring in the band, including some really good Peter Green songs.

And Stevie usually did not "stand around and do nothing" when Christine or Lindsey were singing lead. Her backing and harmonies make some of their best songs much better, as their vocals do on some of hers. And when the three-part harmony worked on some of their hits, some of my favorites--it was amazing

Did tickets go on sale before the announcement was made?? Will the tour be printed as Lindsey-free or will they try to hoodwink fans.

I’ll stick with my The Dance DVD, thanks.

Quote R147:

[quote]My guess is Neil Finn is being brought in more for vocals (harmonies) not so much because they need a second guitarist. I've always found Lyndsey's solos and personality grating.

There's a lot about Lindsey that annoys me but when he left the band previously, he was replaced by two guitar players. Most bands have a bass, rhythm and lead guitar player and that's the structure most players are used to. So it's not unusual that they've hired a separate rhythm and lead guitarist to replace him, especially at short notice.

And I like Neil Finn. I'm sure it will still be a good show though obviously not gonna be the same as with Lindsey.

R191 I stopped visiting those boards for the same reason, though it doesn't really bother me now. Stevie's just an easy target. She's not an accomplished musician like the others. Doesn't have a solid music background in blues. There are purist blues fans who still think that Stevie and Lindsey made the band too pop and destroyed it.

Add to that her 'Welsh witch' persona that some find corny and OTT, but I don't care - she can pull it off. You can't please everyone but her legacy is assured no matter what. She was an essential part of creating many of their best known hits and has done so many shows with them over the decades, despite not always being comfortable.

A new biography about her was recently released - it hasn't got great reviews but has rehashed the abuse she suffered from Lindsey. He physically attacked her at times and others would have to intervene to help her. That was last thing that happened before he was out of the band the first time, though he left because of a number of factors.

Her feelings are probably very mixed - she's been in a very dark place at times and being around him is probably enough to trigger some pretty bad PTSD. Even though they've created some great work together that means they will always have shared history they can't entirely divorce themselves from, whether they like it or not. But shouldn't have to mean putting up with abuse or trauma.

FM gave audiences the opportunity to see the original five piece 'Rumours' line up all together again in 2015, with a huge world tour. It was amazing it happened at all and they were still fit to do it. So count our blessings.

[quote]and you do realize Lindsey Buckingham is 68 right?

... and didn’t get married and have kids until he was nearly 50 so he doesn’t have a 37 year old son.

To the moron who keeps posting Stevie Nicks doesn’t play an instrument and doesn’t have anything to do during songs on which she doesn’t lead, let it be known once and for all:

You’re a complete and total idiot.

R198 - maybe 'you know who' is dropping by.

*waves*

Not entirely sure but I don't think tickets had gone on sale yet.

About this first televised performance, it has been said that Americans took several steps back from their televisions, wondering what the fuck was going on.

Rhiannon live was totally unique and I think incomparable.

Don’t feed the “Stevie doesn’t play any instruments” troll. Obviously she’s unhinged and at this point who’s even listening to her, FF the cunt.

I don't think this is entirely down to Stevie.

'Variety' claims to have more information about the split:

[quote]A source close to the situation tells Variety that although the group was on a high note after the MusiCares event, and had announced last spring that it planned to tour this year, Buckingham was reluctant because he wanted to focus on solo material. The other four bandmembers — Nicks, McVie, bassist John McVie and drummer Mick Fleetwood — were eager and ready to tour, and after failing to obtain a commitment from Buckingham, told him they were proceeding with plans to tour without him. Suggestions that the group make an announcement along those lines were not acted upon... Does that mean he was fired, which is defined by Merriam-Webster as being “dismissed from a job”? Well, yes and no.

FM will manage. This business can be ruthless and same applies to FM, as R165 indicates.

It's supposed to be Mick Fleetwood's determination that has kept this band for 50 or so years, even under insane and unthinkable conditions that date back well before Stevie and Lindsey joined the outfit. Fleetwood Mac is his entire raison d'etre and without him, everyone else would've parted ways for good a long time ago. As John McVie has said: "Mick will go on until they put him up against a wall and shoot him." So if they have to be without Lindsey they will.

They just made the biggest mistake of their career - Mick, John, Christine, Stevie - and will live to regret it. They look foolish, old and greedy. The backlash to this has already been phenomenal. I don't support it and I am 52 and have been a fan since I was 11 or 12. Shut it down if you have to, but for God's sake this is so undignified. Tragic.

The son is hot and DONGliscious but doesn't look like a model.

If I were Christine I would dislike Stevie

So do 70 and 80 year olds go to these concerts by ancient stars?

R202 I think it would've been better to end it on a high note and as a five piece, and at peace with each other, yeah.

People always try to make it seem like Stevie and Chris hate each other. They may be very different people, I'm sure they have the odd disagreement, but I don't think so. During the difficult time recording Rumours, I think they supported each other a lot and became friends. To me, Stevie seemed happy and relieved to have her back in the band.

Maybe I've missed seeing something. But there have been some very bitchy books written about FM by people who worked with them or were in relationship with one of them. I don't think I've ever seen anything about there being problems between Christine and Stevie.

I'm in my mid forties. At the concert I went to, there were some younger than me. But plenty of people who looked like retirement village residents... once the show started though, I think they were revisiting their 20s and 30s lol. They were right into it.

What R194 said

When I went their show in 2015, the crowd was mostly 30s and 40s, but the audience spanned all ages.

Mick and John wanted Christine to feel ok with having another female join the band. They all had dinner so Chris could meet Stevie. Christine liked her, so Stevie was in.

During the recording of Rumours and the drama of two relationships breaking, the two women absolutely supported each other.

A few years into Christine’s retirement, Stevie missed her so much that she kept offering her huge sums of money to return. I doubt this is why Chris finally came back because she was offered $$$ for many years and kept saying no. I don’t know how Christine really feels about Stevie, but publicly they have always been more than respectful. What a history these two women have together.

I think SN is actually a great songwriter and Christine has said same. But in a TV interview years ago Christine said something that totally cracked me up, “Stevie’s lyrics are vague best.”

I always sit front row at FM concerts. This might sound nuts to some people, but the players can see you and they notice who you are into. Stevie and Lindsey are very competitive like that - they each want the audience’s attention. I give mine to Christine because she is anti-ego and because she so fucking deserves it.

Whoops

“Stevie’s lyrics are vague at best.”

R196: Stevie once was interviewed in the early 1990's after she left Fleetwood Mac and was talking about Lindsey. She said that Lindsey can be scary when he gets angry. It was a remarkable statement.

Lindsey's former lover Carol Ann Harris claimed in her book that he was physically abusive. I'd imagine that Lindsey was in a financial position to take legal action if Carol Ann had lied. Why would he not have sued her? Is it because she was indeed being honest about their relationship?

R200: Ann Wilson of Heart has said repeatedly about Fleetwood Mac that they were not really a hard rock band like Heart and were "folk-rock". This video begs to differ.

[quote]They just made the biggest mistake of their career - Mick, John, Christine, Stevie - and will live to regret it.

Come on, really? Fleetwood Mac has made lots of money touring for decades since the "fab five" lineup was broken, when at various times Lindsey, Christine, and/or Stevie were not part of the group.

And don't forget that Lindsey and Stevie came on as a package deal when the band, which had already had some turnover in membership, was down a lead guitarist.They just made the biggest mistake of their career.

I saw FM live in the 1990s during the brief time when Buckingham was missing, but Christine and Stevie were on board. Sure, he was missed, but it was still a great show, in a sold-out arena.

The tour the band did before Chris rejoined a few years ago was huge, a great big Stevie and Lindsey fest.

[R214] Understood, but the first time around Lindsey elected to leave, whereas this time it's been reported that he was fired. Fans are seething at the news and the band is going to have to contend with a passionate backlash that could well effect ticket sales. This is not what fans signed on for, a bogus "Fleetwood Mac" on a cash-grab geezer tour that has none of the emotional resonance the shows have with the original 5. That emotional element has also made up for some of the lost capacity the band members have understandably undergone over the years, especially Stevie. Whatever else, it sullies their grand narrative and ends their story on a note of bitterness, recrimination and alienation.

Stevie’s voice isn’t good anymore. I liked her husky vibrato and the wailing and all that, but now it’s just sad. She can’t hit any of those old places with her voice. Granted she is older though, even Barbra Streisand sounds different now. I’d prefer to remember Stevie Nicks like she was up until around 2003 or so. After that she deteriorated significantly. Don’t even get me started on her ‘dancing’ which is sad to watch now, and her corset straining to keep her pear shaped stomach in.

I do like her as a person though, she comes across as down to earth in her interviews now. Quite a change from the airy fairy thing in the 70s and early 80s.

Ann Wilson is a great great singer but she does not and never had Stevie's campy charisma.

Lindsey tried to be a diva and the rest of the band called his bluff. I know a thing or two about that and trust me, it doesn't end well.

In 2016-2017, solo Stevie sold out the same arenas that FM will be playing this time. Madison Square Garden, The Forum, and many more. Solo.

They will do very well on this tour without him.

Also, since 2009, there are extra musicians behind the stage augmenting every song: an extra keyboardist, drummer/percussionist, bassist, and two guitarists. FM will do very well on this tour without him.

[R218] From what I've been able to crib together poring over articles and message boards, Lindsey delayed the long-planned tour citing his solo career - exactly as Stevie has recently done. But in this case, it seems the band told him to either get on board or be replaced, which I'm sure caused a nuclear reaction in him given the wild disparity in the band's treatment of him and Stevie. If what I'm supposing is true or almost-true, I agree with Lindsey that the band's behavior was outrageous and mercenary given that he was their musical director, producer and the architect of their sound.

I can understand working around a member who's bowed out (Christine's departure leaving the band a four-piece), but adding new members and touring with them at this point is sacrilege, especially for what was supposed to be a farewell tour. This seems to be about a toxic combo of money and revenge, with Stevie's paws all over the skulduggery.

The Farewell Tour has been scheduled since 2015. LB knew when it was starting over two years ago. Dates were being solidified in Early 2017. This has been in the works for a long time, since the last tour barely ended in November 2015.

LB's camp is trying to save face with these "He asked to push it back" lies because the contracts have already been signed for over a year.

He was FIRED.

P.S. A lot of it had to do with his demands for money. FIRED.

Lindsey's son is hot in R144's pics.

It's all essentially paying homage anyway. Stevie can't sing and they all fucking loathe each other. All the songs are an octave lower.

Better to stay at home and listen to the records, instead of paying $200 to pay homage to some old whores who couldn't give three fucks about the audience.

[R221] It's still unconscionable of the band to tour without him. It's not as if major acts haven't cancelled tours in the past. And as there are still no dates announced I'm skeptical of how much of the tour was actually booked. No tickets have been sold.

Time will tell if they will suffer financially for "firing" him, but as a lifelong fan I can say that I have ZERO interest in seeing Mick and Stevie's shameful FAKE-WOOD MAC shit-show.

I’d like to see all five together. But if it is a four-piece, my opinion is Lindsey is the most expendable for the tour. He is the architect of the FM studio albums, but Christine adds an elegance to the concerts and Stevie is a presence on stage.

Lindsey is a singular musician, but besides Go Your Own Way, the replacements can handle his vocals. I’d toss GYOW, the silly Big Love and the bombastic Tusk from the set list.

There are no "harmonies" to be heard in the 2014-2015 FM tour. They just try to out-sing each other.

That is the most ridiculous thing to ever read when people are whining about "not being able to see them together one more time and hear their harmonies" because there are none. Sharon Celani and that new backup girl Stevii (or however it is spelled) were the only ones to harmonize on the On With The Dough tour.

And they do LOATHE each other. Only Stevie and Mick maintain a cordial relationship. Otherwise, all of them are in it for the money and can't stand each other. Stevie's already admitted many times that the hugs and bows are all faker than fake; what makes you think she still wanted Christine in the band from 2003 to 2013? Her saying it in an article to appease fans is why? Just another lie.

R224 believes whatever press comes from LB's camp only. And believes everything said in gushy interviews, too.

[R223] I agree that they don't give a shit about their audiences and are totally clueless as to why a large sector of their fan base are outraged and done with them. They'll find out.

I always sit front row, too. I'm a handsome 63 yo but look early 40's and I wear strechineenie jeans that show off my enviable endowment for the pleasure of Stevie and Christine. Shirt unbutton so they can see my youthful hairy pectorals and 2 heart tattoos for Stevie and Christine. I know they love me I am certain they are subtly blowing me kissing and licking their lips how much they want my enormous member, which would be a slave to their glamorous goddess spirits.

R200 I watch that very same video at least once a month. The whole band just tears it up.

When it all boils down, Lindsey has his beautiful wife of over 20 years and three children to go home to, while Stevie, who never really got over him, can relive her manic, cocaine-fueled "lover affairs" with a series of has be---, er, "poets and legends" as she calls them.

R230: Actually, it is poets, priests of nothing and legends.

[R230] LOL - fair enough!

She still uses coke?

[R226] You're overstating the loathing, which is almost all between Stevie and Lindsey. Christine and Mick actually rented a house together while rehearsing the 2015 reunion tour and she credits a trip to Hawaii to visit him as the turning point in reclaiming her performing/musical life. They also lived together way back when in a mansion called Benifold in Hampshire long before Buckingham/Nicks joined. No loathing there. Nor is there between Christine and Stevie, as has been stated here many, many times.

R210 after the last tour, I came away with a lot more respect for Christine.

One factor that is supposed to be the reason why they get along is because they're not really competing with each other. Stevie and Lindsey both enjoy being the centre of attention, but Christine is quite comfortable behind the keyboard getting on with the music, while she lets the other two put on a spectacle, so I don't think she cares. (Great to see Chris out front though sometimes on last tour.)

I saw perhaps one bit of shade when she returned to the group. She said that Stevie had told her that she would have to be in good shape to tour and get fit. Christine said back to her something like 'I know Stevie - I was in the group before you were!' Lol! Yes, way to remind her.

Christine has admitted that she finds it difficult to interpret Stevie's musical ideas, which can be very obscure. Only Lindsey could really do that - which was a difficulty sometimes when they weren't getting along.

The first time Lindsey left the group, it really turned quite ugly. Stevie was actually trying to talk him into continuing with the band. It turned into a huge fight that had to be broken up when Lindsey became aggressive - and that was probably the final straw on that occasion. All the other band members witnessed it and were extremely upset about it.

Ken Caillat the producer also claimed that Lindsey tried to choke him during the making of Rumours. According to him, Lindsey wanted to redo a solo and told him to record over the old one. Ken was reluctant because it was a good take, but he complied. Lindsey did his solo again but then wanted the previous one back. So Lindsey lost his rag.

Mick made Lindsey apologize but Ken continues:

[quote]"I didn't really believe that Lindsey was sorry that he had tried to choke me. Maybe he was sorry that he had done it in front of other people, but, somehow, I think he thought he had the right to mistreat people. After all, he had already hit Christina, now he had attacked me, and later, his future girlfriend Carol Harris would document Lindsey's abuse of her in her book."

Lindsey may have mellowed a bit over the years, but I think he can still be petty and mean spirited.

I thought that doing tour as a five piece was a good way to close out the band's history. But I'm kind of horrified by some of the comments I'm seeing online about this split and barbs being thrown around. Why should they all have to still be in his band full time? What's it going to add to their legacy now? They've already had a good run by any band's standards.

Are Stevie and Mick back on drugs? Seems like it. Worst career move ever.

If Stevie was back on cocaine then I’d consider buying a ticket, because at least then she’d be spontaneous and put some effort into her vocals and dancing. As it is, she hit a wall after 1986 and NEVER fully recovered.

^^^because she quit coke in 1986 and got hooked on downers instead

They don't need Lindsey anymore. They have an opportunity now to properly mine a 50-year back catalogue, which they could never do with his massive ego in the way. Do we really need to keep hearing Big Love, Go Insane, I'm So Afraid and all the Lindsey ego-tripping solos that never end? Maybe now we'll get to hear some great album tracks from Christine and Stevie that they could never do before. I'd cream my jeans if they did "Freedom", with lyrics like "Evil as you are with that high spirit" clearly pointed at Lindsey. Some songs from the Peter Green and Bob Welch eras would also be a refreshing change, ie: Black Magic Woman, Hypnotized, among many others.

Lindsey never played Go Insane at FM shows, but you're right that Big Love and I'm So Afraid have turned into narcissist trips for him. Even worse is that he plays the songs in the exact same way every night down to his gestures and the way he walks across the stage and smacks his guitar.

Fuck Buckingham, he physically abused Stevie and Carol Ann Harris and who knows what other women. Christine McVie slapped him across the face backstage in New Zealand after he kicked Stevie on stage. John Mcvie pulled him off choking Stevie in a parking lot and told him to never lay his hands on her again, SO FUCK THAT TINY DICKED ABUSER.

I hope they find child porn on his computer.

I love Fleetwood Mac from the depths of my heart. They've been there with me through some of the best times, and the worst of times. What a bloody shame Buckingham has to throw a spanner into the works of this tour; they're not getting any younger. Whether he doesn't need the money or not is no viable excuse. Total fucking disappointment. He's a schmuck, and sadly always will be no matter his talent.

Buckingham isn't the only one who can interpret Stevie's musical ideas. I love Nicks' solo albums more than her work with FM and Buckingham had nothing to do with those.

He's always been jealous that Stevie found SUPERSTAR status as a solo artist, while no one gave a good shit about his solo dreck.

R240 - Lindsey in fact did a long, drawn out acoustic version of Go Insane on an earlier FM tour, I think around the time of Say You Will, an album that he totally stunk up, btw. His re-casting of Stevie's demo "Smile at You" was an abomination - took all the piss right out of it. That's another one I hope she will either re-record or perform on the next tour, as she originally intended it.

If Lindsey were a young rock guy today and pulled that abusive shit, he would be arrested and his career would be over. It's amazing what kinds of things people got away with back in the day.

No, Lindsey does have the best record interpreting and producing Stevie's songs. Other than Edge of 17, nothing has been able to match Rhiannon, Gypsy, Sara, Gold Dust Woman, and on and on. The ethereal vibe of Stevie's FM work was all Lindsey. Lots of Stevie's solo work sounds like schlock, especially anything after the first two albums, and lacking a focused vision. He seems unpleasant and unhappy, but this is the truth.

No, it's YOUR truth. I'll take Rock a Little and The Other Side of the Mirror over those songs you listed.

To each his own.

And by that I mean your wrong (giggle)

The Nicks fans are funny..."it'll be better without him!". Because FM fans are going to pay huge bucks see a farewell tour without an essential member. LOL!

Stuff like this makes me understand why a group like ABBA decided to leave the party early.

Did the landslide bring him down?

Old people don't belong on a rock and roll stage!

Fleetwood Mac has always been a singular experience for me, especially live in concert. I do believe they can pull it off, but at the same time madly disappointed about Lindsey's BS... even more so after reading the entire thread here. I hate him, but I loved the idea of a complete farewell tour. Sorry to get all maudlin, but I had really wished for a happy ending; truly heart breaking.

R246 actually I was thinking the other day, doesn't the staccato riff at beginning of 'Edge Of Seventeen' sound rather similar to LB's guitar in 'Second Hand News'? (That however was also taken from Bee Gee's 'Jive Talking'.)

I can do without Lindsey but some others may find it difficult. I have to admit at the show I went to, he seemed to be very popular with the crowd and comments afterwards praised him the most.

He's a musical genius, brilliant guitar player, but omg he's a jerk.

He once threw a Les Paul guitar at Stevie onstage, nearly taking her head off. (I'm surprised he hasn't ended up with a tambourine being cracked over his head on some occasions.)

With all these stories I'm inclined to believe Carol Ann Harris. She said in her book that one time when he was mad at her and about to take off in his car, she was apologizing to him when he grabbed her hair and then started the engine, moving the car down the driveway while not letting go. Christine McVie saw that. After the last episode of abuse, she went to see a doctor, who told her that her life was in danger if she stayed in the relationship.

They ain't getting younger but what if there's still things in their lives they want to do and pay attention to, while they still can? There's already been a full reunion tour. When they get to the end are they going to be thinking 'Damn I wish I'd done more tours with the group!' or thinking about the possible time missed with the people they care about, living their own lives, rather than singing for umpteenth time songs from 40 years ago?

You're right R253, well said. I suppose it's just the nostalgia we fans are all addicted to, just as Stevie was to the coke.

I just think about this chemistry and feel sad about the new tour. Stevie’s song.

Great album, and great cover R255... Great year too!

R254 ty and yeah that's really all it is now. Nostalgia. I'm glad I was able to go and see them but nothing lasts forever.

Stevie was supposed to be not happy about that album cover at R255 hehe! You can sort of see she's not comfortable and trying to hide behind him. Originally they were wearing shirts. Lindsey just told her to stop being a prude and take the top off. This is now being held up as another example of his controlling nature.

I shouldn't, but here's an updated take:

~ Weren't we hot?

~ What the hell were we thinking???

R257 Too funny! Oh dear we are old!

[quote]When it all boils down, Lindsey has his beautiful wife of over 20 years and three children to go home to, while Stevie, who never really got over him, can relive her manic, cocaine-fueled "lover affairs" with a series of has be---, er, "poets and legends" as she calls them.

R230 When it all boils down, LB and his abusive ilk hate women - they won’t sit back, retire, and be an appendage to his ego. Stevie cleaned houses to support him when they moved to LA while he sat around smoking weed.

I guarantee he is smacking around his younger blonde wife and she’s fucking Tyrone the bodyguard.

R260 Good call mate... Probably. Sad people strive so hard to see the best in him.

The vocalist's instrument is their voice R3. And IMO it's Stevie's distinctive voice that makes FM.

So who has the most drama: Fleetwood Mac, Journey or The Eagles?

FM is the hands-down winner in the most drama department. Stevie and Lindsey been reconcile soon or the eventual bio-movie will have an unhappy ending.

The most drama? Fleetwood Mac, especially if you include the pre Buckingham/Nicks era i.e. Peter Green, Jeremy Spencer, etc.

I don't know if they're cursed or something. All their guitar players eventually seen to go crazy.

With The Beatles, it seemed that Brian Epstein or Ringo Starr were their peacemakers. In FM, it's probably been Christine. She seems to be the most practical and normal of the bunch. But sometimes things are beyond hope.

Ken again, describing the recording process of 'You Make Loving Fun' around the same time that Stevie and Lindsey's relationship was breaking up:

[italic]'Stevie and Lindsey were sitting on two high stools out in the studio, each of them in front of a microphone, working on background parts, singing, "You make loving' fun, you make lovin' fun..." When I stopped the tape to rewind it, Stevie suddenly looks at Lindsey and cried out, 'F*** you, a**hole! You can go to hell!"

Lindsey responded with a tirade of his own. "When we get back to L.A., I'm moving out."

"I don't want to live with you, either!" They went back and forth, screaming and yelling at each other.

I couldn't rewind the tape fast enough. When I got to the beginning of the tape, I hit RECORD. Stevie and Lindsey looked at each other. Then they turned toward their microphones and, right on cue, right in themiddle of a fight, they nailed their parts!

"You make lovin' fun, you make lovin' fun..."

What just happened? I was flabbergasted...'[/italic]

Well R263 Stevie fucked 2 members of the Eagles too. I don’t think she fucked anyone from Journey but I could be wrong.

In the 70s, Stevie fucked every guy in the music business except Sylvester and the Village People.

I hope they release a Fleetwood Mac album with the new members.

Just to rub Buckingham's face in it, since he wanted a new album but Stevie was busy so he had to make that little thing with Christine.

I loved Behind the Mask. It didn't sound like FM proper, but it was like a new rock group with Christine and Stevie. Buckingham was always my third favorite vocalist in the band so I'm happy with just Christine and Stevie.

Part of Lindsey's heartbreak and rage against Stevie was seeing her transform from his soulmate - a sensitive artist, muse and supporter who was there through thick and thin - into a promiscuous coke-whore who valued money and fame above all else. She really did fuck an astounding number of guys, some of them for power and control. The drugs turned her into someone he no longer recognized.

Stevie wasn't "busy" R268. Lindsey was trying to get Stevie to make a Fleetwood Mac album since about 2012. She would always put it off or have an excuse. Most likely, she just didn't want to work with him anymore, although she never outright said that. So he finally gave up and made that album with Christine. That album was supposed to be a Fleetwood Mac album (it even had John and Mick on it) but Stevie didn't want to do it. Lindsey got pissy with a reporter who called him on his BS about how it was always intended to be a "duet" album between him and Christine. It wasn't.

Stevie was busy not working with Lindsay Buckingham but working with others. See the In Your Dreams documentary which is fabulous.

And even if she was a "fame hungry coke whore" everyone in music loved her. Him, not so much.

One of the most beautiful Christine performances

[quote]everyone in music loved her. Him, not so much.

I've never heard anything good about Lindsey Buckingham, Don Henley or the late Glenn Frey. They are/were mega-assholes.

Everything I've heard about Stevie is that she's eccentric AF, but a sweet person.

W&W for R267. Still love her though.

[R271] Yes, but remember she did ask Lindsey to come in and play and sing on Solider's Angel, a song that's dear to her that Dave Stewart didn't get. The Lindsey/Stevie relationship isn't as black-and-white as some people like to make it out.

I'm listening to Tango in the Night now. Buckingham's material is really strong and back in 1987 I had become a huge fan of his, was excited about seeing him perform live Big Love and Tango in the Night (my favorite song of his) - and the jerk quit.

It never made sense - Tango in the Night was his baby, Stevie only had three songs as usual, and it was some of his strongest work since Rumours . And then he bails.

And as a predominately Stevie fan, I got frustrated be her limited songs on the albums while Buckingham always dominated. I was in love with her solo work and at the time found Fleetwood Mac to be an unwanted obligation. She had just come off the Rock a Little tour (my first Stevie concert that made me forever fall down the rabbit hole) where she was at the pinnacle of her drug use and right out of rehab for Tango and then Lindsey leaves and she has to basically carry another tour. Stevie had bigger balls than whatever Lindsey was packin'

It was Mick and MOSTLY Stevie who got Lindsey fired. From what I am hearing this cunt said it's either him or me. His daughters instagram pretty much confirms it. Stevie has been insufferable the last few years. #istandwithlindsey #onwiththefauxtour

For those saying how sweet Stevie is, you might want to read her interviews the last few years. BITTER CUNT!

You are all blaming LIndsey but it's that cunt who refused to make a new album and is always ruining their plans with demands. She's been a total bitch in interviews. He has been NOTHING BUT GRACIOUS.

Lindsey is a very talented person, but he is also a twerp. Yes you can be both. I'd never put up with his BS or try to excuse his abusive behaviour. When he became famous, his ego seemed to take a trip to the top floor. I think a part is still stuck there.

In his interviews, he comes across as probably the most articulate of them all, very well spoken, charismatic... It's hard to believe that the same guy could be so awful and temperamental. But there is evidently another side of him.

If a man in the music business is sleeping around then with all the groupies he is called a 'stud'. If a woman does the same she is called a 'slut' and there's all kinds of hate for her.

I think that when Rumours was being recorded, The Eagles were recording in an adjacent studio. Stevie had broken up with Lindsey but went on to someone quite like him - Don Henley. They look similar, similar personalities - a lot left to be desired but talented. I think most of these relationships meant something to her at the time despite how ill advised and though they couldn't last.

The worst was probably Mick Fleetwood. That was so f'ed up and should never have happened. They were both just a complete mess.

I think it's so stupid arguing about what they're all doing now. I never expect these bands to keep going forever, doing the same thing they did before. It's never going to be like 'Rumours' again. That's like asking a couple divorced for ten years to go back to being husband and wife, especially as for these people, so many of their personal feelings inform their work. All you can hope sometimes is get to the stage where you can respect each other and be civil, professional enough to put on a show together, but it's never going to be how it was before, and the work is not gonna be the same. I don't think any of them really want to fully go back to that dark, unpleasant time in their lives that nearly destroyed them.

These people have moved on in their own lives long ago, it's time the fans caught up with it.

[quote]Part of Lindsey's heartbreak and rage against Stevie was seeing her transform from his whipping post - a sensitive cook, nurse and housecleaner who was there through thick and thin - into a high-flying topliner who valued her own artistry and independence above all else.

There fixed it for you r269.

[quote]She's been a total bitch in interviews. He has been NOTHING BUT GRACIOUS.

Lol, nope! He has been an insufferable prick in many interviews, whining on and on about Stevie's supposedly reprehensible behavior while minimizing his own. Always looks like he's smelling a fart and comes a cross as an entitled Trustafundian.

There is no question that Lindsey Buckingham is a total fucking asshole, I can't believe people are even debating that. He is an exceptionally talented musician, no question, but as a person he is the epitome of privileged white male entitlement, with a nasty mean streak and giant ego.

Lindsay probably resents the fact that Stevie had the big successful solo career, even though he was the one who received the offer to join the group and she got in as a package deal.

Stevie had to endure this, so give her a break with Lindsay for a change.

So they couldn't come to terms for another tour with the 5 White Album / Rumours members (wrong to call them the original members, for obvious reasons).

What a surprise; Stevie, Lindsey and Chris have each been absent for various tours for a long time. The most recent reunion was the exception, and while the performances were good, the set list never varied until they got to the very end and added "Think About Me," a CM song that was underappreciated in the US but was a hit in Australia or NZ where the tour ended, and featured (yes) harmonies. It was lovely.

If the band does tour with Chris and Stevie and not Lindsey, it would be nice if some of Chris's songs from before Stevie joined the group--the Bare Trees era--could be included. "Spare Me a Little of Your Love" is a gorgeous song of hers that they played on the first tour after Stevie and Lindsey joined the band.

"Think About Me," from Australia near the end of the last tour.

I meant to link it at r286. Prior to 2015, it hadn't been done live by the band in like 30 years. More like that, please.

John McVie is 72 years old and has battled cancer. Christine is nearly 75. They can't postpone for too long while Lindsey does solo work.

At 68, he'd probably like to get another album out before he hits his 70s.

Not likely he's gonna be content with just playing old FM hits to please the crowd for rest of his life.

When Lindsey dies, Stevie will behave as if she is a widow.

I love Christine McVie's solo song, "Got a Hold on Me".

R286 - "Homeward Bound" was another great Christine song from Bare Trees. On Tusk, there was also "Never Forget" and "Brown Eyes", songs that would lend themselves to full band participation, harmonies and all, in a live setting. I wouldn't care if I never heard her more popular White Album/Rumours stuff again - she had so many other great tunes.

Lindsey was so gorgeous but I am confused as some posters say he has a huge cock and others say he is tiny. Does anyone know for sure on here? And the most important question after that is if he is cut or uncut.

Lindsey never sang the great classic Bob Welch FM song "Sentimental Lady" in concert. But if Finn could do it, Christine McVie's backing vocal would be gorgeous, as it always was, including on the top ten hit version Welch later recorded in a different arrangement as a solo record.

Stevie's "Fireflies," a single that didn't hit from The Live album of the Tusk tour, was about the potential breakup of the band. I'm not sure it was ever really a regular part of their live show, but I always liked it. "To be the last to leave..."

[quote]And the most important question after that is if he is cut or uncut.

Nobody in the real world could give a shit if a guy is cut or uncut.

Fleetwood Mac is hexed from this point - due to Stevie's witchery - lightening is going to strike and Lindsey won't be there to ground it. Good luck Fake Fleetwood Mac.

Lindsey will emerge as a major figure, while they will seem increasingly small, fragile and pathetic.

I guess the huge, embarrassing mistake they are about to make will prove all of Lindsey's points.

[R293] It was only when Lindsey rearranged, produced and re-recorded Sentimental Lady that it became a top 10 hit for Bob Welch.

For those who say that Lindsey isn't loved in the recording industry - you are very wrong! You just don't know the people. Lindsey has created so many hits for other people and didn't take the credit as others would. Far more songs are hits due to Lindsey than is commonly known. Lindsey is a very generous person.

I won't stand anti-Lindsey trolls. I love Lindsey and he is a GENIUS.

To me Fleetrwood Mac = MacBeth - dark, dark path.....

Fuck the lot of you!

This is Lindsey very generously giving Bob Welch a Top 10 hit - with Christine chiming in. Lindsey did the exquisite arrangement.

I think people need a reminder of how Lindsey has made Stevie and Christine's songs so much more intense with his passion and vision.

Isn't it Midnight by Christine McVie

Have you ever heard such a SEARING guitar solo? It always gives me goosebumps!!!!

Just wondering, what is the insurance cost for band members 75 years old on tour? Even if in they are in very fit condition, as Christine obviously is.

She is not my favourite but I do have respect for her. She's probably had the benefit of being 'rested' for a long time but she hasn't had too much work done, and still seems to have the energy and vitality of someone much younger.

This was the set list for the 'Shake The Cage' tour during which Lindsey was absent, in 1987. Neil Finn may be a good folkie type of singer, but I wouldn't have picked him for doing blues - even though he performed at the Byron Bay Bluesfest last year. (It's an event Mick Fleetwood has played at with his blues band.)

Say You Love Me The Chain Dreams Isn't It Midnight Everywhere Oh Well Seven Wonders Rattlesnake Shake Over My Head Gold Dust Woman Don't Let Me Down Again Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You? I Loved Another Woman Brown Eyes World Turning Little Lies Stand Back You Make Loving Fun Go Your Own Way

Encore:

Blue Letter Don't Stop Songbird

Other songs occasionally included: Rhiannon, Everywhere, Gypsy.

'Black Magic Woman' performed at one show.

No 'Landslide' in 1987 but it was in setlist during 1990.

[quote]For those who say that Lindsey isn't loved in the recording industry - you are very wrong!

You can't move two feet in the music biz without hearing about lesser-known Benmont Tench's behind-the-scenes contributions to practically every album ever recorded, yet none of those musicians who supposedly benefit from Lindsay's generosity have a word to say about him? Just because he helps without credit (but probably not without pay) doesn't make him beloved. Like Robbie Robertson, people may appreciate his musical talents and want to use them for their own gain, but still think he's a major dickhead.

I will always say that Lindsey is a musical genius and probably the best guitar player I've ever heard play live. But he's also a real jerk - I don't respect or admire him as a person.

DL stuffed up my formatting in R298 sorry. This again was the set list in 1987 with Rick Vito and Billy Burnette replacing Lindsey, may be easier to read:

Say You Love Me, The Chain, Dreams, Isn't It Midnight, Everywhere, Oh Well, Seven Wonders, Rattlesnake Shake, Over My Head, Gold Dust Woman, Don't Let Me Down Again, Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You?, I Loved Another Woman, Brown Eyes, World Turning, Little Lies, Stand Back, You Make Loving Fun, Go Your Own Way

Encore: Blue Letter, Don't Stop, Songbird

Occasional inclusions: Rhiannon, Everywhere, Gypsy

For those who may be unfamiliar with Lindsey's latter-day songs - THE RIGHT PLACE TO FADE - genius!!!!

I think Lindsey may be bi-polar. Way too tumultuous still for someone his age.

[quote]And again shots of Stevie Nicks doing absolutely nothing on stage, as she doesn't play an instrument

That may be true, but she's the ONLY one who sold out stadiums all by herself. She's sold more albums in her solo career than the rest of them put together. They still play her solo stuff on the radio. The others? NO. It's not like radio stations played any of the other's solo stuff (except for Trouble) either

All that, despite not playing an instrument. Poor Stevie. She's such a failure

One of the greatest ironies in the Stevie-Lindsey saga is that while Stevie refers to herself as the "girl Heartbreaker" and takes every opportunity to say she would have left FM to join Tom Petty, Tom actually ASKED Lindsey to join his band. True story. Tom appreciated Lindsey's genius and thought they'd make an interesting pair as co-headliners. Meanwhile, Tom regarded Stevie as a pest who refused to leave him alone. He didn't respect her nearly as much as he did Lindsey. Tom knew Stevie as a pass-around coke-whore who was fucking Jimmy Iovine, who was fucking Paul Fishkin, who was fucking Mick Fleetwood, who was fucking Don Henley, who was fucking Joe Walsh, who was fucking.....(ad infinitum)

Interesting that "Blue Letter," one of my favorite Buckingham songs ever, was played on the tour where he was MIA and Rick and Billy were replacements.

I've wished Lindsey would play and sing that song again with FM for a long time, but it didn't happen. That's another gem that might be unwrapped in new live sets.

It's been awhile since I read the Carol Ann Harris book so going through it again.

Story about some of the troubles Lindsey started having after Rumours - Lindsey wanted something different for the next LP (he'd caught on to the New Wave bands that were emerging), while Mick wasn't so keen:

[quote]"He told me that he'd told Mick everything, told him about the new direction that he'd taken in his music, a direction inspired by the radical new bands that we'd been listening to. After playing a few of his songs for Mick, Lindsey had explained to him that he wanted to play every instrument on them HIMSELF, in the studio - with no help from the band, no "jamming", and no "constructive criticism" from his four bandmates. He wanted to follow his own creative voice and let it take him down whatever road it would.

[quote]"The bottom line: he won't do another Rumours. And, to put it mildly, Mick was not happy. He was very upset. He pleaded with Lindsey to reconsider, afraid that Lindsey had made would ultimately destroy the band. But after two hours of conversation Lindsey hadn't changed his mind."

Lindsey had a few meltdowns while making the Rumours LP. But it seems like Tusk might have added even more pressure and everything took a turn for the worse.

Seems like Mick has always preferred to stick with the safe and familiar material, while Lindsey was more interested in trying something new and different.

When Christine wanted to return to the band, I thought it was kinda odd that he said to her she had to be fully committed to the group or she couldn't go back. I was thinking 'Wtf? She was in the band long before he was and he's acting like it's his band he is leader of."

I'm not real sure who benefitted the most from Stevie and Lindsey joining the group. The new guys or the existing members.

* correction - "afraid that the decisions Lindsey had made would ultimately destroy the band..."

Finn's catalog is huge and astoundingly good. He is always trying new things; he doesn't sit on his old laurels like so many old acts from the 80s, never creating anything new and high quality. FM is very lucky to have him. He certainly doesn't need the money or fame.

Well, Tusk was a big double (or was it triple?) album, and didn't sell nearly as well as Rumours in part because of the price...but there was a lot of great music on it, including the now-iconic title track and Stevie's "Sara."

Lindsey got to do his thing, but if it had been pared down to a single-disc record, maybe with a part 2 released later, it may well have been more appreciated in its time.

Anyone read Mick Fleetwood's biography? First, he casually dropped in the fact that he enjoys wearing women's clothing. Then he told another story about how a fan sent him a letter with a beautiful photograph of herself. He began a passionate relationship--by letter--with this woman. He was even ready to leave his wife for this woman, even though the woman kept coming up with excuses not to meet him in person. Then one day he discovered that the photo she had sent him was not really her., and that his penpal was overweight and not really a model. He then wrote about how terrible this woman was to have done that (even though he was going to leave his wife for what he thought was a younger, hotter model).

I'm listening to Tusk now. I've always wondered if Buckingham didn't practice some subtle sabotage on that album. Stevie and Christine's songs sound recorded at a lower level while all of Buckingham's songs are LOUD. Sisters of the Moon is such a great song but is really muted. Now with the Expanded Deluxe album released you can hear the alternate takes of Sisters of the Moon are fantastic and Stevie's vocals aren't buried in the mix. I also like the alternative versions of Beautiful Child and Sara that Buckingham didn't use. Interesting.

It couldn't have made him happy that Sara was a big hit and Not That Funny didn't chart in the U.S. I don't believe that it was solely Nick's decision to fire Buckingham, but even if it was GOOD FOR HER since he used to beat the shit out of her. Fuck that abuser.

[quote]When Christine wanted to return to the band, I thought it was kinda odd that he said to her she had to be fully committed to the group or she couldn't go back. I was thinking 'Wtf? She was in the band long before he was and he's acting like it's his band he is leader of."

Everyone complaining about how Lindsey was tossed out like last week's garbage should read up on his particularly stank attitude towards Christine when she left the band. I seem to remember that she was willing to participate in a final FM album, but Lindsey quashed that idea, pretty much saying, "hey, if you're leaving, leave". When the "Say You Will" album dropped, Christine's credit for providing a barely-audible backing vocal on "Bleed to Love Her" was buried deep in the liner notes; she didn't even get a special, "featured artist" credit.

[QUOTE] Lindsey never played Go Insane at FM shows

He did, on the “Unleashed” tour.

Here's a compilation someone made of moments between Stevie and Lindsey over the years. Rock's most baffling duo! Can't live with each other. Can't live without each other.

Last tour they were still hamming it up onstage as is expected of them now. But behind the scenes things were said to be icier than ever between them and she couldn't wait until the end of the tour. It was probably fortunate to have Christine there as added component for them both, and that's how Chris and Lindsey ended up collaborating. But Stevie wanted a complete break.

So things aren't great but there are more things being said now about how Lindsey's plans didn't mesh with the upcoming tour.

R310 haven't made my way through Mick's book yet. But none of that surprises me! The gentleman is insane.

I read Carol Ann's book, Ken Caillat's (some of it interesting but a lot of it waffling about himself), and another biography about Stevie. Haven't read the new bio about her yet, it hasn't had good reviews.

I was going to comment that Bleed to Love Her is the best song FM has released in many years, in defense of LB. but if it is true that Christine did a backing vocal that later got buried in the mix, and hardly credited...screw that.

[quote]I was going to comment that Bleed to Love Her is the best song FM has released in many years, in defense of LB. but if it is true that Christine did a backing vocal that later got buried in the mix, and hardly credited...screw that.

She did some background vocals, and you can hear in the background. It’s nothing that merited any sort of special “featuring” credit. She’s listed alongside Sheryl Crow and everyone else who made supporting contributions to the album.

... you can hear *her* in the background...

Didn't Sheryl Crow want to join at one point, or she was in negotiations to join? I am surprised they did not ask her since her solo career seems to have slowed down.

There was some discussion, instigated by Stevie, about Sheryl replacing Christine McVie, but Sheryl blew it by talking about it before it was agreed upon, which pissed Lindsey off. I doubt he wanted it to happen anyway... he actually liked it being just him and Stevie because it gave him more space.

Good riddance to that repulsive vole-man. He was worst thing that ever happened to the band

Been doing a lot of rereading to put this together...

The book by Carol Ann Harris is quite damning. It appears to be backed up by Ken Caillat's own story which came after Carol's. The way it is told, there would've been other witnesses to these incidents, including in the band. If it's not true - they should've been able to deny it. Medical records probably also exist for some of it. She tells of several occasions where he was a bully, would hit her, or try to choke her.

The main reason for people keeping silence appears to be - they were trying to protect the band at all costs. And half the band come from the UK and the English sense of reserve can be hard to break through. (I believe there was also some concern about Mick because without the band, he didn't seem to have any sense of purpose and would really decline.)

I've wanted to believe that perhaps he had some sort of medical condition so he didn't really know what he was doing. But on examination it all appears to reflect a pattern/cycle that is typical of abusive relationships.

Problems in the band would not be addressed or spoken about, instead they would simmer until somebody cracked. Carol claimed that after awhile some of the band members actually seemed to 'thrive' on this atmosphere of constant tension and drama - while she ended up on the receiving end of it. Lindsey already had a tendency of being abusive during Rumours but things seemed to escalate during Tusk and when Stevie's first solo record was very successful. Lindsey took the anger and frustration out on her.

She had to be sent home on one tour because he was getting so out of control. Then a few days later, he kicked Stevie onstage in front of a large audience, disrupting the whole show. All that has been documented as well.

After an episode like that, things would be calm for awhile, but gradually build up again.

As a fan it's tough information to deal with. We know this band has been messed up but some of it has become the subject of mythmaking and being 'romanticised'.

Still a lot of rage from fans online. Much as I like this band, I think it's kinda OTT at this point.

People say this is different from the first time he left the band, because on that occasion, it was his own decision. Mick Fleetwood later said on that occasion, the band had recorded an album and Lindsey had initially agreed to go on tour with them. It had all been set up. Then he suddenly said he couldn't do it, which upset the rest of them a lot. Stevie and Lindsey got into a fierce argument, which John McVie says got 'physically ugly' while indicating that Lindsey tried to choke Stevie. She later said, she thought he was going to kill her, and it had to be broken up.

John McVie later recalled 'I said to Lindsey "Why don't you just leave?" He left, but what I meant was why don't you just leave the room?' LB ended up not returning to the band again for another nine years. The tour he was supposed to be on had already been organised so it had to go on, or else the band would've been sued, so they were forced to replace him.

Well shit!

This really dashes my hopes for the show opening up with this little number and getting to hear Stevie & Chris coo "Oh ohhhh OH."

What an abusive pig. If any of what Lindsey did to women happened today, it would be all over the news and his career would be finished.

Ahh, blocked R279 just for a test and yep - surprise - half the threads went away. Are you Buckingham's kid? Otherwise, why keep repeating the same thing here?

R324 yep but it was the 80s and you know the Brits - have a 'stiff upper lip' when things go haywire.

The band weren't very nice to the new gf Carol Ann Harris at first, though after awhile I think they started feeling sorry for her having to put up with LB. Even Stevie. That would've just made him angrier though.

On one of the later occasions, it sounds like Stevie did try to help. She saw Lindsey pushing this girl around at Melbourne airport and knew there was trouble brewing. She nearly stepped in but her team held her back, so she went to a roadie and asked him to check if everything was okay. But LB managed to get away from the airport in a limo. The band were so concerned though, it may be why the gf was sent home not long after.

This was in Australia during the Tusk tour, not long before he attacked Stevie onstage.

Limos would've been par for course. The whole works. They probably still have the trimmings today, except for all the crazy partying.

I don't know if there will ever be another age like that in rock music again. Not many acts can sell an album as a package anymore. Rumours made them all multi millionaires very quickly. They were rock royalty and could ask for anything. Very dark side to it though.

The Dance is just a wonderful show. The Eagles also had one during that period that did very well and got them to reunite on a major tour.

R327 yeah it really was because Stevie had managed to get herself back together again and they were all in fine form. Some of the history is quite awful and LB truly seems like a Jekyll and Hyde personality to nth degree. The combination of those three voices though just has the power to transport you back in time.

Lindsey and Christine sing "Don't Stop" with a group of kids and Jimmy Fallon and the Roots last year

Right now, two different cover versions of "Go Your Own Way" are appearing in two different commercials: one for COPD medication, and one for Jeep. And then in December, one commercial, which seemed to be played hourly, featured a cover version of Holiday Road. Lindsey must be making a lot of money from TV commercials.

Carol Ann Harris - Lindsey's ex - has decided to speak up on social media (it should probably be noted she's not likely to be an insider anymore):

[italic]"I guess it's time for me to say something as the posts on here are all over the place and placing blame on Fleetwood Mac as an entity for Lindsey no longer being in the band is wayyyyy too premature.

All I want to say to all of you is that the band meeting where the decision was made that he was no longer in the band was surely so ugly....so sad...so awful...that I, for one, am grateful that I wasn't a witness to it.

To place blame on Stevie, Mick, Christine or John is unwarranted and the fact that Lindsey hasn't made a statement AT all speaks volumes to me.

I can tell you that just from a business perspective, Lindsey being "fired" or leaving the band was NOT anyone's choice but a decision that the band made for reasons that will eventually become known as in this day and age - it's impossible to keep anything this big a secret for very long...

I truly feel sorry for all of the fans of Fleetwood Mac who will NOT get to see what is to me, the "real" band and I am not throwing shade on the two guitarists hired to replace him. They are brilliant musicians - but for a "Farewell" tour, (in my opinion) they are going to be up against it.

But my last word on this is that it's a very, very sad end to an era for Fleetwood Mac...but all of you have the music, have seen the tours - and in the end, that will always be yours to enjoy.

Love to you all - Carol Ann"[/italic]

FM and the Eagles both had their day.

And they both had bad behavior from members.

But why - why on EARTH - are people still stanning them so bad so many years later? There are so many other great bands and musicians. These people are quite nearly singing corpses.

Just so odd to me, YMMV.

r332 Boomers don't leave the stage until they drop dead or are forced out. That goes for Boomers in all professions.

Secondhand news.

R332, Fleetwood Mac has always been a soap opera. It's like Cheers: Sam and Diane used to be in love, they broke up, they can't stand each other...but will they get back together? FM was one of the first prominently co-ed bands of the 1970s.

The soap opera is marketing genius. But they have more than the "story". They also have great songs. Having three different singer/songwriters keeps the music from getting too boring.

They are all too old for this drama.

Well, r337, they exist in an alternate universe where they don't have to grow up. If you worked in an office or a service profession and you acted like that towards your coworker, HR would have your ass out the door in a flash.

I get what everyone is saying but as a fan, it's getting kinda old now. It's not as if they're all going to get together and produce another masterpiece this late in the game. I don't know why people expecting so much and getting so worked up over it.

Kinda wish they'd stopped after the last tour - but as a few have said, maybe not appropriate for FM to end on a 'happy note'.

They should have stopped after The Dance.

R340 maybe but I was too young to see all five of them together live the first time, so I appreciated being able to in 2015. I'm glad I went. When I saw them in 2004 I thought that might be the last opportunity but they didn't have Christine that time. Actually I think that they performed better at the 2015 show I went to than the 2004 one that I saw! But it's all checked off my list now.

Post-1975 Fleetwood Mac toured very successfully without Lindsey for years after Tango, and after he came back the band toured very successfully without Christine for years.

The brief times the band appeared with Bekka Bramlett substituting for Stevie were a joke.

I'm truly sorry this possibly last tour won't have Lindsey, but I have no doubt he brought it upon himself. The music might actually be interesting.

The shows without Christine were still good, but having seen them both with and without her, her presence does add something to the group. These five despite their problems definitely had their own chemistry that still persists during moments onstage.

When Stevie is solo she has good musicians with her, though the partnership is never quite the same as with Lindsey.

Just the way it is though. It will still be a good show I am sure. I hope the replacements aren't given a difficult time. I like Neil Finn and he's had some good songs in his own right. Just a bit surprised though because he doesn't seem to have the blues/soul vibe that suits this band. That's their roots and there was still some of that with SN and LB (Stevie had enough influence from Janis Joplin). We'll just have to see how it works out. Fingers crossed...

It's unfortunate because they seemed to have made some milestones, but those old rivalries and bitterness never went away.

Having said that, I'm impressed that Warner Bros was able to release all of their peak-era albums in super deluxe sets. Self-titled, Rumours, Tusk, Mirage and Tango in the Night were all beautifully reissued in deluxe sets with demos and alternate versions.

Stevie has been bad mouthing LB for a couple of years. He has been gracious. I don't know what went on but Stevie has turned into a MAJOR diva the last few years. She also has had a bug up her ass all these years to be a Heartbreaker. Now she can have a small piece of that.

I think Lindsey gets jealous of Stevie's career but the new monkey wrench is that he has something she will never have: A GORGEOUS family. Lindsey's wife and children are STUNNING. His daughter looks like a model and his son is very handsome. I think even the younger girl is gorg.

I didn't mean it's just because he has a beautiful family, it's because he has one at all. She has nobody. The fact that they are so beautiful only makes her more crazy IMO.

[quote][R102] A potted plant could play the tambourine better than Suzanne Crough and it would have cost them less money.

Especially these days.

Stevie never had any desire to have children, I don't think she's jealous. I think she's rather relieved she never had to raise a child and be responsible for it.

R325 just put the troll defending a woman beating psycho on block.

Not sure why people are trotting our pictures of Buckingham’s kids as if Stevie sits at home crying into pictures of them. She’s never wanted the picket fence life, and I love her all the more for it.

Lindsay is absolutely jealous of Stevie’s solo success though. He clearly views her as an inferior songsmith and musician (the latter is true, the former is debatable) and yet she became the superstar. He’s a cunt, and I look forward to seeing the band live without his excessive showmanship and massive ego.

r346, what is the point you're making about Lindsey's family? Christine doesn't have a family, either. Is she crying about that? Both women made huge sacrifices to put their music before everything. Just because you don't have kids doesn't mean your life is empty. (What a bizarre point to make on a board for GAY people.) Your life can be fulfilling with lots of relatives and friends.

Even during times when the band is supposed to be on friendly terms, Lindsey has said condescending things about Stevie's music. He complains about, as the band's recording engineer, he had to "help" her with her songs. Well, that was his job, and he got paid extra to produce the music. (He "helped" Christine's songs, too, but he doesn't complain about that.) Something about Stevie made the public latch onto her. Men and women. It's not Stevie's fault that the public didn't buy as many Lindsey Buckingham solo albums. I think that even if he had never had a romantic relationship with her, he would still feel this same bitterness towards about her success.

[R346] Stevie is definitely jealous of Lindsey's beautiful family and despite what she says in interviews she did want children (Sara is named for an aborted child). She was just too selfish and messed up to have a family. Loneliness is a major issue with Stevie - that's why she tours incessantly when she doesn't have to. She doesn't really write songs anymore and her voice is shot but she goes and goes and goes because there's nothing else in her life.

Lindsey has worked through his issues and come out the other side. His daughters have been staunchly defending him through this debacle. The band is disgraced. And I hope Mick and Stevie realize that by firing him they've stripped the band of its A-list status. That's going to hurt them down the road.

The audience won't mind it so much that Lindsey is missing. The die-hard fans will still see them because 4/5 is better than nothing. The casual fans don't even know what Lindsey looks like...but they know what Stevie looks like. As long as Stevie is there to sing "Rhiannon" and Chris is there to sing "You Make Lovin' Fun" (maybe the band's most beautiful song ever), and the new guitarists play Lindsey's guitar parts correctly, the tour will be a success. And it's starting to sound like there will be a lot less stress and discord without Lindsey.

[quote]I think Stevie's tambourine is gaffa taped

What the bloody hell is 'gaffa tape'?

I'm wondering what's happening behind the scenes now. Things are probably quite chaotic. It seems odd that they haven't announced any tour dates (are promoters figuring out whether the band can still fill huge venues without Lindsey?) and it seems odd that Lindsey has remained silent. Several fan sites have speculated that Lindsey has lawyered up and is fighting being "fired" because his contract doesn't allow it. People are also speculating that Irving Azoff is behind this.

They should have taken the high road and just cancelled the fucking tour, which is fairly meaningless without Lindsey. With no new music and minus their musical genius it just seems to be a pathetic money grab by a bunch of over-the-hill geezers.

Stevie has a niece she's very close to. Some people would much rather be the "cool aunt" or "cool uncle" than ever have kids of their own. As the late Bar Bush would say, it works out very well for them.

There is a maternal side to Stevie. Part of her might have liked kids but it didn't work out that way for her. She spent her child bearing years battling addiction. Nowadays she puts those maternal energies into mentoring younger generations of singers/songwriters, being an aunt, some community work etc. Women in the business have a tougher choice than men, who can wait until they are past their formative years.

Stevie is a rock n roll survivor with many accomplishments, and she is happy. Certainly she is in a much better place now than in the late 80s and early 90s when she was very lost.

She is eccentric and has her diva moments I am sure but she can have license after everything she's been through. She does what she has to in order to protect her health, well being and sobriety. She has matured however and considers the needs of others too.

When I first became interested in Stevie, it was for her solo career. I didn't even know she'd been in Fleetwood Mac previously! Not until I saw a TV special.

She spent about ten years with Lindsey (people around them described it as like a marriage) and creatively it was a fruitful relationship, though towards the end it was very difficult. Part of her still loves him I think but he can be a first class jerk. His gfs after Stevie were Stevie copies, including his current wife.

Stevie's range is obviously more limited these days but she's adapted accordingly. She works with a vocal coach and at last show I went to, sounded very good. At times I was amazed at how close they sounded to the original recordings. (When I saw her in 2004 she didn't sound her best but she'd been sick with a virus.)

In 2015 Stevie did an interview with RS magazine who featured her alone on the cover. Mick and Lindsey were obviously p'ed off it wasn't a full group feature. Mick just ignored proceedings. Lindsey tried to disrupt it. Only Christine was supportive and accommodating. Lindsey will be missed but they can manage. Gl to him with an upcoming solo tour that may soon be announced.

I didn't realize LB's daughter (the one with the ig acct) is so close with Don Henley's kids, even though they apparently live in Texas. All of them are close to Azoff's kids too.

I guess it was a trend for these aging music guys to have kids well into their 50s.

I assume the person trotting out Lindsey's kids with his wife whom he probably smacks around is one of the coterie of frauen who desperately want to fuck Lindsey Buckingham. They HATE Stevie because she gets all the attention and got to do what they can't.

[R360] Lindsey does not smack around his wife. Jesus. He was abusive to Carol Ann Harris and to Stevie on occasion in his long, long-ago drug-fueled past when his emotions were amplified by unbelievable levels of stress but he was never a stereotypical abuser like OJ. Police were never called to Lindsey's house (unlike angelic Don Henley), he was never arrested, there's no police report in existence and all of the incidents were confined to the late 70's and early 80's. The were all doing massive amounts of cocaine and drinking, which changes the brain chemistry. There was also lots of betrayal and infidelity, which added gasoline to the emotional fires.

Once Lindsey got his life in order that behavior stopped. I know people will accuse me of defending/enabling an "abuser of women" but the internet mob is very quick to judge and completely unforgiving. Can you all say you've not done things you are or were ashamed of? Can you all say you've always treated the people in you life with nothing but love and respect? Can you all say that you were in complete control of your emotions while under the influence? Of course, you can't.

Whatever Lindsey did he paid for it and moved on a LOOOONG time ago.

Why didn’t Stevie just kick him in his mussy-bone when he got abusive with her?

R361 no, the abuse was very bad - sickening textbook abuse with all the stages. Nothing excuses it. He was protected because of who he was. Should've been locked up. If you know you're a danger to others under the influence then you do something about it.

At least three women were abused and producer attacked in the studio. Over ten year period and that's not something that just happens unless you have your own issues. LB has some serious ones and trauma of the victims can last for the rest of their lives. My grandfather was abusive and my mother still has PTSD from living in that terror.

I'm kind of sorry I know all that about LB now but truth cannot be denied. I wanted to see the full FM so I did and LB is an amazing guitar player but his ego is still off the charts. Having Stevie there made it tolerable but I won't go again.

I would hope he is no longer violent but I bet it's still a lot of same attitude. I can't take a lot of his solo work because a lot of it is just disturbing, demeaning and nasty when you know what it's about. He dated Anne Heche for awhile and she dumped him, moving on to Ellen. He got a nasty song out of that too. Now he just says all the women he dated before current spouse were 'garbage'.

It's simple - the posters defending him have the same view that it's okay to mistreat women and think it's amusing so I just block.

[quote]The band is disgraced. And I hope Mick and Stevie realize that by firing him they've stripped the band of its A-list status. That's going to hurt them down the road.

Oh, for the love of God. I love the band, love Lindsey's artistry and musicianship, but let's be honest: Chistine and Stevie wrote and sang most of the band's hits. "Go Your Own Way" being the exception.

Hypothetically, if Stevie were to be fired and Lindsey stayed, Fleetwood Mac with the other three would have problems selling out medium venues. If Stevie stays and LB can't or won't be part of it, I would guess the bigger arenas and outdoor sheds are still in play.

[R363] Ridiculous virtue-signaling internet mob nonsense.

[R363] "Sickening text book with all the stages" - what text book? What "stages"? I understand you are a damaged person but that's a separate issue from Lindsey Buckingham. Your post is a testament to how unhinged you are but that doesn't lend credibility to your fake hyper-sensitivity. I'm sure you are a monster. You are very insensitive to human frailty and judgmental without a moral or religious perspective. Typical person of our era. A very insensitive, lonely and judgmental person convinced that nothing is your fault. Perhaps you should check out the many DL threads on narcissism.

You queenie Stevie chiffon heads are delusional. STEVIE is the one who has been bashing Lindsey the last couple of years while Lindsey has not said a word. THIS IS FACT! Lindsey is WAY more important to the band then you may realize. He created their sound, is the musical director and producer. OFCOURSE Christine and Stevie are just as important and Stevie fills the seats but without him it's just a freaking karaoke show. In 87 that's exactly what is was like. Its ONLY magical with the five of them. Lindsey has matured tons in the last 2o years. BTW if you don't think Stevie is jealous that Lindsey has a family and she doesn't I have a bridge to sell you. SHE is ALONE all the time which is why she never stops working and has SAID AS MUCH.

[R364] The fact that people like you are speculating on the band's status speaks to its decline. No respect = no status. They are, as my Peruvian mother-in-law would say, "degraciado."

r299 Robertson can be a dick, but as he and others have said, in a band someone often has to be the SOB. I do think he has an inflated ego, since The Band was one of the more truly democratic of that era, but still...someone has to crack the whip and get everyone else in the studio. Ironically, the one who's formally trained and did a lot of arranging was Garth Hudson.

Buckingham & Nicks were the couple in Life in the Fast Lane. When Don Henley thinks you're fucked up and out of control, shit! He's lucky he survived. Like the poster upthread, I don't condone the abuse, but it could definitely be a product of wilding out on 000 coke, huge success and pressure to stay on top. I never heard anything after he cleaned up. Honestly, it doesn't affect the music, either. He reminds me of Stephen Stills, in that he never got the credit he deserved for either his guitar playing or his production.

A comment I found, summed up the way I think I feel:

[italic]"First, Lindsey Buckingham is easily one of the best ever guitar players in rock history. Flat out truth! Also, his input into Mac’s music is ONE of the reasons that ‘classic Mac’ broke out to be so huge. BUT, Buckingham is also an absolute control freak who’s known to be verbally & sometimes physically abusive. Usually to Nicks. This has been documented in multiple Fleetwood Mac bio’s including Mick Fleetwood’s. Buckingham also has a mild form of epilepsy which can play havoc on his moods.

Second, it has been well established over the many years of the ‘classic Mac’ lineup that the majority of the audience attends to see Nicks. Nicks’ solo tours are booked in larger venues than solos tours by Buckingham, or CMcVie or Mick Fleetwood. She solo albums sell better. Nicks is the bigger draw, also plain truth.

Third, Buckingham has attempted to control the lengths/number of shows of Mac tours since at least the Mirage tour and has been a huge source of disharmony within the band in all that time. It was a major reason he left the band in the first time (another reason being that he and Nicks mostly despise each other). Fleetwood was in financial difficulty at that time and needed the money from the tour but Buckingham didn’t want a big long tour.

Fourth, it is true that Nicks doesn’t see the financial advantage of doing full albums any longer given the state of the music business these days. It is also a fact that doing a Mac album, which Buckingham ALWAYS micro manages, means months of arguments between Nicks and Buckingham over her music. For years Buckingham has belittled Nicks’ songs and while there was a time when Buckingham was a master at turning Nicks’ poetry into amazing music, you only need to read interviews from each of them to know that now it’s an ugly, painful process usually leading to screaming, cursing and tears. With that said, Nicks would have participated in what became the Buckingham/McVie album but she was already committed to a tour with the Pretenders. Nicks also knows the resentment of the other bands members when she comes in at the last minute as she did on ‘Tango in the Night’ and at her age didn’t want to go straight from one tour to another.

Fifth, as mentioned above, Buckingham and Nicks mostly despise each other. The tours where they walk on stage hand in hand is something they both hate and do simply for the fans who love the Buckingham/Nicks history and mystic. Still, Nicks is fiercely loyal to the Mac Band and has asserted repeatedly that no matter how many solo works she does she will always be a part of Fleetwood Mac. Buckingham, on the other hand, is not as loyal. While he obviously never completely lets go from the Mac, Buckingham has quit previously and has threatened to quit multiple times, always because he wants more control. This ‘parting’ is one of those times...

The Fleetwood Mac most loved by the fans will always be less without Buckingham but ask privately how the other members feel about touring without him? First they would all agree that they wish he was there; then, in strict confidence, they would tell you that life is much easier without him there.

I’ve never seen the Mac without Buckingham. I’m not sure if I’ll see them this tour without him there. I probably will as it could be the last tour but no matter how good Campbell and Finn might be I’ll miss Buckingham’s stellar riffs! I’ll even miss the fake ‘Stevie and Lindsey’ love fest even knowing the truth. I love Fleetwood Mac. The good. The bad. The ugly. I know the history and the feuds. I know that all the members have their good and bad like we all do. It’s wrong to blame one member for this split. Nicks didn’t force Buckingham out. There are (at least) two sides. Four members of ‘Classic Mac’ wanted one thing and the fifth member wanted something else. All five were free to choose – Buckingham choose to leave."[/italic]

It still bugs me because I think what happened was an extension of his basic personality - which has ALWAYS been control freak and there are many people who have had difficulties with him over a long period of time. I can understand why Stevie would no longer want to work very closely with him anymore. Being around him probably brings back some good memories, as well as some that are very disturbing. I don't think she wants to go back to that place in her life again and doing it could be risky for her at this point.

People have no problem bringing up what she did 30 years ago - the misguided relationships, while battling drugs, and they are still very unforgiving.

I don't think all this is down to Stevie, and I find people attacking her character after the way Lindsey has behaved quite a double standard and actually offensive. Though I should know by now there will always be trolls and haters who make her a target.

I'm afraid all these things have probably affected my view of him permanently. There was no need for him to be so OTT and toxic towards others. Overlooking such behaviour because someone is considered a 'genius' is dangerous, IMO.

Since I like his work, I'd like nothing better than to be able to put this aside but just can't see him the same way. Another comment that resonated with me.

[quote]"As with many successful artists, sometimes their artistic success has given them free reign to be jerks and worse. I have a hard time enjoying their art when I learn of their sins; some I can forgive and forget, while others have sins that resonate and reverberate and echo so loudly that I can no longer enjoy their art. I liked Buckingham's contributions to the band, and I can go on liking his songs, but my admiration for the man is limited and fading."

Fleetwood Mac has really fucked over their hardcore fans by canning Lindsey. If there was a specific incident name it. I don't think there was. If Stevie is throwing around her weight after her successful solo tour - this will backfire on her and hurt her solo career too. Stupid, stupid moves. I will not buy a ticket to see them. Hope they realize this.

I wasn't ever going to buy another ticket for LB anyhow. With or without the group.

If I could put Lindsey's abusive behavior down to one thing or another I would. But after reading the whole account, I see traits and personality of abusive type of individual. It's difficult for me to think it was all drugs, or an illness. There were also other forms of abuse going beyond that range. It all seems pathological.

A shame he went so far. And it ended up like this but they had a good run. C'est la vie.

Surely if Stevie had wanted a family she would not have had abortions? Isn’t the song Sara about an aborted kid?

I look forward to not hearing that awful rendition of Big Love.

Stevie couldn't carry a full pregnancy when they had world tours. There was an interview she did with Lady Antebellum a few years back where the female member of that group talked about her pregnancy and of course Steve interjected with 'well....I could never be pregnant in Fleetwood Mac' - she completely made it about HER which I loved because her narcissism was out of control.

R374 okay here we go... She had an abortion because things weren't working out with the father, she was busy with career etc. Truth to tell. I don't think she was in any kind of emotional condition to be a mother and give the child what it would need. At least she realized that.

But she later said she may have had children if her life had been different.

'Big Love' seems appreciated by some in audience. I'd just go get a refreshments during it. Worst thing about LB is how he can be so self-indulgent. When I heard he was working with Christine I thought, maybe she can stop him going too far with it. He tends to go off on his own tangents.

Maybe that was another issue he was having with the band but just my speculation.

Those recent McVie Buckingham songs were so bad, generic, bland.

R372 the last 2 sentences of your post made me laugh.

I find it funny that when Lindsey and Christine recorded their recent duet album, they had Mick Fleetwood play drums and John McVie play bass. But when it came to the tour, which is how musicians make money, they hired other musicians--instead of Fleetwood and J McVie to--to play the drums and bass. That's likely to have annoyed Mick and John; they both love to tour...and make money.

While it's Stevie's conflicts with Lindsey that are publicized, I don't think Mick and John like him either. From the very beginning, Lindsey was pushy in the studio and tried to tell John how to play the bass. On Tusk, on his own songs, Lindsey is rumored to have deleted John's recorded bass on many songs and rerecord the part himself. The drugs--and later, the money--helped the other men tolerate Lindsey's behavior.

I think the only band member Lindsey gets along with is Christine, because she's the only one that he respects as a musician. She's a classically trained pianist who paid her dues in the business before she joined her husband's band. But I think her loyalty will be to the men who were in the band with her before Lindsey was, and she must be annoyed by seeing Lindsey argue with everyone.

R379, yes. Christine coming back into FM was not about wanting to work with Lindsey, even if they get along. She remained in the band on the Tango tour after he quit before. For her to come out of retirement and commit to touring was a bigger deal than people realize; she had a very comfortable life in England and I believe she is doing this for Mick and John. And surely she knows Stevie puts the butts in the seats.

I am so interested in what the set lists will be like on the next tour. I really hope they shake it up and play some unexpected songs.

Fleetwood Mac's pre-Buckingham Nicks stuff is still underappreciated in some ways. I love this spacey non-LP single written by Danny Kirwan (another in their long line of troubled guitarists)

There are whispers that the set is going back to some real old Fleetwood Mac stuff, like the Peter Green, Bob Welch era. And some of Stevie's solo stuff.

Going back to the original FM material and where they started makes sense in a way. Closing the circle.

Sometimes I think it would be nice for them to do something with Peter Green, but I think he's too sick. Certainly he could never handle many shows in front of big crowds.

Some people have even suggested getting Jeremy Spencer back. But he's still in an awful and very controversial religious cult.

Another reason I think Christine came back to FM was to help support her ex husband John McVie who had been through treatment for cancer. But looks like it was successful, hopefully.

When FM came to my city in 2015 it was sort of noted Lindsey arrived separately from the rest. He still tries to maximize focus on himself during shows. He would probably like to finish up in complete control of this band with all his own overbearing idiosyncrasies stamped on it. Disregarding the original foundations. If the others resisted that, can't blame them though it's a shame.

When Bob Welch committed suicide in 2012, his widow Wendy was not shy in blasting members of Fleetwood Mac for what she saw as slights to her husband over the years, including his not being invited to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony in January 1998. She also slammed members for being greedy and cutting Bob out of royalties and profits. She specifically stated that Mick and Buckingham were "evil men" and that Christine was no better.

She also specifically said that Stevie and John had never done anything against her husband and she was not angry at them, only the other three.

r383, I'm surprised to hear that. I know that Lindsey worked with Welch in the studio to re-record Welch's song, "Sentimental Women" in the late 70s. With Lindsey's production (and Christine's background vocal) the song became a big hit. (I actually prefer the more raw original version.) Then, in the early 80s, Bob appeared in Lindsey's video for "Trouble".

{r379} [R379] that is simply not true. Lindsey respects ALL of the musicians in the band and frequently calls them "the best rhythm section in rock" Just not true. John tended to OVERPLAY which is typical of blues based bassists. As GREAT as John was, Lindsey was right. I know it annoyed John in the beginning but he was right. If you look at the buckingham Mcvie doc Mick and LIndsey seem to be getting along great. He works with him outside of FM. I have a feeling he animosity between LB and SN is probably their faults. They SURE do know how to push each others buttons.

I saw FM during the Tango in the Night tour, and at first was disappointed because Lindsey had left, but it turned out to be a FANTASTIC concert - one of the best I've seen.

306 it was AWFUL. Did you ever see the concert video they released with 5million douchey Stevie closeups??? LOL

Simply embarrassing.

LOL!!!! OMG THE CLOSEUPS!!! Lindsey would have NEVER allowed that full of herself cunt to do this. DOUCHEY

R382 then there are those who say that Christine is the decent member of the group and always has been.

It's clear however that things have always been 'complicated'.

A new book about Stevie was released that was very unflattering to Lindsey. With all the scandals in Hollywod lately about mistreatment of women, some thought that's why he was chopped. But I don't think so. Everyone already knew these things and I don't think Stevie had anything to do with this book. It's apparently not very good and even got her birthday wrong?

I think they fell out over touring arrangements and perhaps band control issues, solo career conflicts of interest etc.

I was a bit surprised that after the success of the FM tour the year before, there was a lull and Stevie went out on a (very successful) solo tour with The Pretenders opening. I wasn't sure why. Did everyone else want a break, or was Lindsey sick of touring (as he had been so often in the past) and insisted on a new album before any more shows (as he had also done before, I believe), or was Stevie's tour already contracted?

I would have thought a bigger World Tour with the reunited band would have been a priority.

They did 81 shows as a five piece and after that Stevie wanted a break. She took time off then went on her most recent tour. Christine was still feeling fresh after her long break and she'd built up some musical partnership with Lindsey so they recorded a new album together. But Stevie didn't want to participate. She finds it difficult being in the studio with Lindsey, and didn't want to phone in her part. So Chris and Lindsey did the album and a tour together.

Why just keep doing FM tours and nothing else when they're already enormously wealthy and the material has already been done so many times previously?

If I were Stevie I think I would've walked away from this group ages ago, with al tihe animosity she gets from Mac fans, when she can successfully tour solo. A tour is a commitment for a year or so - that's a lot of time to devote at that age.

Stevie has bailed Mick out of some off-the-book bankruptcies (aside from his documented two) and she feels an obligation to him.

Stevie and Fleetwood Mac are interviewed on CBS This Morning on Wednesday, April 25, 2018.

Dates for the Fleetwood Mac World Tour are announced next week!

Yes, many different songs are being considered on this tour!

{R391} you do know this is just conjecture on your part right? You act like you know this stuff as FACT. You don't.

{r392} Obviously you are a Stevie freak but why on earth would you want to go see this cash grab tour? HORRIBLE

I've always been a huge Fleetwood Mac/Stevie fan but my god they're all in their Depends years now and they ain't what they used to be. I think Grace Slick had the right idea when she said "old people don't belong on a rock and roll stage. It looks pathetic."

And I also understand why a band like ABBA decided to leave the party early.

I don't care, I'm still gonna go and see them. This could very well be the last time they tour. Celebrities have been dropping like flies the last few years.

R393 Stevie herself said after the last FM world tour she wanted a break after a busy few years while the others wanted to keep going - especially Christine after her comeback. SN was lying low for awhile, then announced her solo tour with the Pretenders, while Christine and Lindsey did their own tour.

It's no secret that she and Lindsey don't like being in each other's presence much offstage. That's been openly admitted in the official interviews. Usually they are kept apart.

They could have recorded another full FM album with Stevie coming in briefly to contribute a few backing vocals maybe. But the band obviously weren't happy with her not fully involving herself in the 'Tango In The Night' album. She turned up in the end and did a few parts but wasn't engaged with what she was doing, due to treatment she was on at the time.

Stevie quote from 12 months ago:

[quote]"Christine was gone [from Fleetwood Mac] for 16 years and came back, did a massive tour, and then it's like, "Now I'm just gonna go back to London and sit in my castle for two years"? She wanted to keep working. I will be back with them at the end of the year for, I think, another tour. I just needed my two years off. Until then, I wish them the best in whatever they do... I don't think we'll do another record. If the music business were different, I might feel different. I don't think there's any reason to spend a year and an amazing amount of money on a record that, even if it has great things, isn't going to sell. What we do is go on the road, do a ton of shows and make lots of money. We have a lot of fun. Making a record isn't all that much fun."

But I've just made all that up and it's 'conjecture'. I have mixed feelings about it but I can understand the underlying reasons.

Sometimes I don't know why these guys keep going doing same songs for so many years, when they don't need the money. But they say they still get a kick out of it. Stevie says that she believes when people retire they just give in to the aging process so she tries to stay busy.

Keith Richards once pointed out that black musicians tend to keep going their entire lives - as long as they're able to. That's their ethos and it's accepted. The Stones and FM were very much built on black music traditions. I've been skeptical about motivation of RS still touring but after reading Keith's book, had second thoughts. I think he truly still has enthusiasm for playing live.

R396 I went to see them in 2004 because I thought it may be last opportunity! Here we are in 2018.

I went to see them again in 2015 because Christine had come back and I thought it was worth seeing the full band together. I'm glad I went and it was a good show. That said, I'm not likely to buy tickets to this one. Even if all five were on board.

Wish them all the best but I wish to remember them still being at reasonable quality.

I'm sympathetic to that feeling, r398. But when old veterans can still get it up to put on a show, backed by a good supporting band and production team...sometimes it's nice to just go hear them play and thank them for the countless hours of music you or I enjoyed in the past.

I might add, no one has ever accused Stevie or Chris or Lindsey of using prerecorded vocals onstage. Backing vocalists, surely.

So if the next tour plays near me on a night I can make it, yeah, I'd like to see the old team off, even without LB, with a cheer. And if I get to hear some songs that they haven't played live for awhile, that will be a bonus.

Him and Chevy Chase can do a duet: "Asshole Road."

I am beginning to believe that there is a paid FM consultant on this board. All this exposing Lindsey by using Carol Ann Harris book, but not mention John MCvie's abuse of Christie. I remember reading that in Mick's first book that was release in the early 1990's. Why are you not talking about the fact that Stevie fuck three member of the Eagles and joke which one will have her tonight. To which her old boyfriend could hear and was angry about it. Lindsey may have felt bad for exposing her to that world were she later became a known for her singing and fucking talent.

Most of the bitching I've heard about Robertson came from guys who worked with him on his solo albums, not Band gossipers, R369. A few fans have complained about him as well, and even Jakob Dylan took a crack at him during an interview. A fan spotted Robbie eating somewhere and sent his table a bottle of champagne. Robbie sent it back because it wasn't expensive enough, and had the waiter tell the fan so.

Drugs or no drugs, Lindsey's abuses were ongiong and his entitled attitude still gets him badmouthed. Also, if he's calling every single woman he dated before his wife "trash", what does that say about him for picking them? Not one woman was even so-so? He is the common factor in all those trashy relationships, a fact he should consider before making damning remarks.

Nothing like blatant slut-shaing r401. Who the hell cares who she slept with? Lindsey? he was too busy banging groupies like Sweet Connie and her ilk to give a shit.

A single famous young woman like SN getting her groove on in the swinging 70s (like everyone else) does NOT equate with phys abuse. LB's alleged jealousy of her sex life doesn't ever justify hitting her. Nor does McVie's alleged issues have anything to do with LB.

Any more outrage? Are we all cried out?

r404, after the April 25 morning-talk-show interview, we'll re-evaluate.

Just because...

So there is a video of Lindsey taken by a fan the day after music cares where he states his solo album was put on hold a year and he was now going to release a best of. He would perform solo dates during the FM tour. Meanwhile Ken Caillet today said that Lindsey refused to tour for two years because he was finishing his solo album and that Stevie said then don't go because "i'm not get any younger". Based on the fan video of LB these are all lies. Stevie always lies.

It's worse than One Direction breaking up. Things will never be the same again. I might protest by self harming on social media.

Personally I never got over Seals and Croft splitting up.

I'm still choked up by most of the Bee Gees dying.

Lindsey should proceed with the solo "shadow tour" he was planning to do alongside the full-band dates. He should book himself into every city the bogus "Fleetwood Mac" is playing and on the same dates. That way he could siphon fans and press from them. That would really hurt.

I appreciate Lindsey's pivotal role in the sound of the five albums from '75 to '87, but can anyone really doubt that a solo Lindsey tour would sell a fraction of the tickets of a Lindsey-less FM? He'd only be hurting himself by doing that.

[R412] He also produced THE DANCE (6 million copies and counting, 5th biggest selling live album of all time in the U.S.) and SAY YOU WILL, so his contributions are not limited to the classic 5 studio albums. I'm not saying he could fill stadiums but he could sell out smaller venues, keep his name out there and put the spotlight on the band's treachery.

The only person Ken Caillat likes in the group is Christine.

I saw people say that Lindsey wanted to do his own gigs in between the shows on the FM tour, and they didn't see eye to eye on that. That may well be it.

The obvious thing Lindsey should do now is write his autobiography Go Your Own Way and detail in biting terms what a true witch Stevie Nicks has always been. He wanted to stay with her when they hit big in Mac but she saw things for her self. Their 7 year relationship meant nothing to her. C'mon Linds give us the dirt!

R415, good lord get over it, already. You seem to present that post as if he is some angel who is innocent and wronged. I think they're all egotistical maniacs at this point.

Lindsey was hawt in the 1980s.

R416 are you telling me you wouldn't want to hear his side of things? He's free now and never going back again (sorry) to FM so he could spill on all of them.

I love Lindsey Buckingham, and resented his previous exit from the touring band. Yes, he's a great producer and obviously a guitarist of legend. As I posted above, a few of his songs are among the best the band recorded after he and Stevie joined. Not as many as hers, but he was a big player.

So if the planning for the next tour broke down because he wanted to book solo gigs along the way (if you can't afford to see Fleetwood Mac at the Arena tomorrow night, come see their star singer and guitarist LB at the Club Zombie!) --well, that sounds douchey on his part.

And if that is not true, it's a rumor that people can believe about him...which speaks for itself.

In a new interview Stevie says that's she's not the boss in FM so she has to go by majority rules and that's why they fired LB. Since they wanted to go on tour majority rules. So it's OK if Stevie doesn't want to record with the band and they have to go and record a Buckingham McVie album without her but if LB wants to delay the tour for 8 months he's FIRED? SHe's a bitch. She always changes EVERY story to fit her narrative and is the hugest liar around. FUCK HER

R416 what are they gonna call that book lol? 'I Was A Woman Beater In My Prime Years Because Stevie Nicks Was A Bitch'? 'If I Slept Around It Was Okay Because That's What Guys In This Business Do - But Women Don't'? 'I Get A Pass Because I Was On Drugs But Same Doesn't Apply To Anyone Else In Group'.

Maybe they'd like some more input from 'alleged' Fleetwood Mac PR department.

[quote]"In the middle of the street, Lindsey slammed on the brakes and sat still for three heartbeats. Without a word he lunged toward me and wrapped his hands around my neck and started to squeeze. Too shocked to scream, I grabbed his hands and tried to pry them away, but his grip tightened painfully around my throat. His eyes looked lifeless as he stared into mine and his teeth were pulled back in a grimace. Panic surged through me as I fought for breath and my struggles became stronger as the burning pain in my throat increased. Suddenly Lindsey let go, leaned back, and hit the gas. The tires screeched as we took off at a high speed down the dark street..."

There's more to it and stuff perhaps even worse but that's probably enough to see.

At concerts, I would try to put these thoughts aside and judge the performance on artistic/musical level, which was brilliant. But I'm not convinced he's addressed all his issues and still believe he can be a real jerk.

Maybe after all these years, the Fleetwood-McVie's are tired of being pushed into the background of the group they originally put together. I don't think Lindsey would mind being thought of as the one responsible for most of this group's legacy. That's just not true. They were a team and Lindsey's solo efforts were nowhere near the group's success.

Sounds like just end of the road and 'irreconciable differences'. If all five got in studio together for a bigger project, they'd probably just be tense and unhappy with old wounds reopening, and ending up with unsatisfactory result. At this stage it's reasonable to use time they have left to do something fun and enjoyable, rather than put themselves through that misery again.

Where is the legal proof that Lindsey is an abuser? Did Carol Ann file any complaint against him - or did Stevie? Just because it's documented in books - sensational accounts sure to push sales - doesn't mean it's true AT ALL.

Fleetwood Mac has shot itself in the foot doing this - and everyone knows it's just cowtowing to Stevie to get her to tour. It will backfire and hurt them all.

R422 according to her description, there were plenty witnesses including people in the band, and she likely also has medical reports. Not to mention all the other people who have claimed he attacked them in similar manner. Sorry.

If it wasn't true, these stories could easily have been denied.

When he was once asked did he really physically attack Stevie onstage, kicking her with steel cap boots, he just said 'I don't know if that really happened...' Christine spoke up though and said it most certainly [italic]did[/italic] happen and the band were all furious.

These were the 80s, before the publicity about OJ Simpson showed what can happen and that domestic violence can affect any stream of society. People were trying to protect the band AT ALL COSTS even if it was horrible and ugly. That's why reports were not made. (You also add some of the British mentality - stiff upper lip, keep going, don't talk about it in public etc.)

I'd be glad if it wasn't true but unfortunately looks like it is.

[R423] Totally full of shit (medical reports!) and on the virtue-signalling #metoo bullshit bandwagon.

R424 yes because the last time he attacked her, she had to get medical help for serious neck injuries. So the medical records should exist. She'd be taking a risk if she's making it all up.

She told her story 10 years ago. That predates the current legal reckonings in Hollywood. For too many years, the industry just overlooked these things or dealt with them inadequately, because so-and-so was just seen as a 'tortured artist' and because they were worth too much as a product.

Ken Caillat has supported her. Nobody has tried to sue her or get the book pulled from publication.

Uncomfortable information for a fan but has to be faced. I think we're done.

Carol Ann Harris was a total coke fiend - that's why Lindsey parted ways with her. He details it on his album GO INSANE on the song I MUST GO ("hey little girl, leave that little drug alone"). I read her book and the way she portrays herself is laughable. Not a reliable narrator.

Before you ask, why didn't the physician call police, non-consensual disclosure can be a difficult situation, in case it might actually make things worse for the victim and put them in risk. But he did strongly advise her to leave the situation, which she did.

I ain't a bandwaggoner either because I've seen since my early life the effects of spousal abuse, and that leaves an impact on you.

Biggest mistake wasn't firing Lindsey. They just shoulda made the last tour the final one. They HAVE their legacy already. It's unfortunate to end it messy but it won't destroy their place in music history. People going crazy over bunch of senior citizens not continuing the old act.

Lindsey did great for the band but I think FM also did something for him. He and Stevie were struggling muses nearly ready to give up until FM gave them an offer. Otherwise the pair may have been forgotten long ago. It works both ways.

R428, just for the sake of argument, suppose that the big world tour without LB sells out lots of arenas and gets good reviews for going deep and long into the past, as a farewell? Could a whole third or more of the show be something different than the predictable set lists last time?

I have to believe this is what is being planned. And it sounds like a good show to me. Neither Lindsey, Stevie nor Christine Perfect were founding members of Fleetwood Mac.

[R429] Except that 99% of those people in those filled (or half-filled) stadiums are attending exclusively to hear the Buckingham/Nicks FM canon, not the catalog dating back to 1967.

R429 I'm beginning to feel that way. Actually depending on the set list, I may be intrigued enough to check it out. Neil is no slouch musician. I'm primarily a Rumours fan and those five had amazing musical and personal chemistry but they don't enjoy being in a studio together anymore and why should they have to? Lindsey is very talented but can be so difficult to work with and from Tusk onwards, tends to treat the others like minions. Christine can stand up to him a bit and keep him in check, but their duo album wasn't their best work.

As it hapens, I've been a Neil Finn fan perhaps longer than a FM fan. But his fans are feeling trepidation about this move and don't think it will last long. We have to see.

I don't think this is all down to Stevie. It was a group decision. FM had interesting history before Buckingham/Nicks with the great Peter Green who is still greatly respected but big shows are out of the question for him. He's too ill, but deserves recognition.

R430 not necessarily. I mean what first drew me to this group was the Stevie and Lindsey combination, for sure. But it's not just about them. There's a formative, distinguished catalog before then and Peter Green is still esteemed by many as one of the greatest white blues guitarists ever, alongside Eric Clapton.

Found an interview with Mick Fleetwood from last year and there are perhaps signs last year that this was a part of the band's history he was once again thinking of. The band going back to their roots and foundation as an emsemble is in many ways something that makes sense.

Perhaps notable is this quote by Mick:

[quote]"Peter could have been the stereotypical superstar guitar player and control freak, but that wasn’t his style. He named the band after the bass player and drummer, for Christ’s sake..."

I'd be very happy to hear something different - classic numbers like 'Black Magic Woman' back in the set, and something other than theatrics between Stevie and Lindsey which are now wearing a bit thin and no longer have spontaneity. Inclusion of new energy may be just what this group needs.

It seems that somehow the Lindsey fans have become convinced over time that he is the absolutely vital stand-alone member of this group, but I'd encourage folks to be open to a few changes and revisitation to the group's origins, where it all started. It's a significant chapter in contemporary music history with influence to this day.

I've said previously that at first, I didn't know about Neil Finn tackling blues material. But I may have to eat my words as in fact he's done quite a range of black genre music and that is a staple part of the New Zealand music scene, along with the noted music tradition of local Maori population.

There's even his own take of 'Billie Jean' on youtube(!) Together with all the 'hee-hee-hees' but surprisingly convincing. Acoustic Neil gets funky:

Many other surprising covers he's done. I'll leave one more - this was done as a late night show 'music challenge' lark but I think is priceless. The Finn Brothers doing their own camp take on glam hit 'Ballroom Blitz'.

Tim with his wild hair is almost Lindseyesque. Neil has nearly as much makeup and big hair as Stevie. They could easily launch into a zesty version of 'Go Your Own Way...' and end up throwing a tambourine at each other. (Perhaps entirely inappropriate in the context but that's nothing new with The Mac.)

I'm taking the piss but for those who may think Neil is just a standard non quirky MoR player and nothing else, think again.

(Fwd R434 to 1:30 for proper start.)

For the pro-Lindsay/anti-Stevie stan: I HOPE Stevie DOES have all the power in the band (she doesn't) and told Christine, Mick, and John "It's either HIM or ME! Christine you can go back to your English castle, Mick you can go back to sleeping on friends sofas, and John......wait where's John! WHO CARES! You do as I SAY because I am a coke fiend lying bitch that became more of a superstar OUT of the band then I did in the band so WHAT I SAY GOES!!! Bring in Lindsay - I WANT TO BE THE ONE TO TELL HIM SO I CAN TASTE HIS SWEET HOT TEARS. And if Carol Ann Harris is around, bring her in so I can eat her pussy right in front of him!!!" If that were true (it's not) it wouldn't make fans love her less, BUT MORE! Stevie rules, Lindsay had a sad little life always lurking in her shadow. BWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

I just ordered tickets for a show next March in Albany, presale thru my Sirius subscription, and before the general sale which opens tomorrow morning the venue is more than half sold out.

Just the idea that both Chris and Stevie will have a chance to play more or different songs than last time, and that a couple of "new" guys may shake things up and make for a surprising night is cool. Truthfully, while Lindsey will be missed, this last big tour could be the most free-wheeling and interesting in many years.

When do the tears stop?

Well I guess none of the Buckingham/Nicks album cuts will make the setlist. I do wonder how much of Stevie's solo work will be worked into the act. With Neil Finn, she can do the duets from the Bella Donna album.

I'm hedging on getting tickets, but one group I'm shocked continued on was The Eagles after Glenn Frey died. They brought in his son to imitate his dad and the ticket prices are still as high as they were with Frey.

That should be Buckingham/McVie album cuts.

The ticket prices are dropping allready. NO FUCKING WAY am i going without Lindsey. HE IS FM!

R441 then go get his solo albums which will no doubt be an opus about this 'betrayal' and backstabbing. And he has an upcoming solo tour. You don't have to put up with the others who are worthless.

Still thinking, maybe they should've just stopped after the last tour. This is going to be their 50th anniversary tour (including their history without Lindsey - and they did have one) and that should really perhaps be the end. If it doesn't make quite as much money as previous tours I don't think they'll care much anyway since they've all got more $$$ than they know what to do with already.

It was worthwhile going to check out all five together last tour, and I'm happy enough with that. I doubt if there's ever been a REAL total reunification behind the scenes. A lot of it was staged. It still worked live with their vintage hits, but how weird must it be sharing stage with your ex from 40 years ago and still singing your breakup songs? Some things you can't go back to and perhaps it's most advisable that you don't.

The tour doesn't begin until early October - 5 months away. There's such bad karma surrounding this endeavor and so much ill-will from fans I wouldn't be surprised if some disaster intervened (legal, financial, health, etc.) to end it before it begins. Mick must not realize how infuriating it is for some of us to hear his talk of "a whole new band" when it was supposed to be the farewell tour of the superstar lineup. I've lost respect for him and Stevie and I hope they all fall on their faces.

R441 get help

Well, I'm sorry to hear you feel that way, r443. The band has toured quite successfully with lineup changes in the past, and it is unfortunate that these negotiations failed. But I am rooting for the tour to be a success, and if the group gels, maybe they could even record some new music.

As for Stevie wanting to do more solo music on the FM tour, I don't know why that would be her aim; she has had big solo tours for what, 35 years? Maybe a few different non-FM songs, including the ones she sang with Petty. And Christine can sing more of her great stuff that gets ignored, from before the Buckingham era and during. She had at least one solo hit, too.

Please drop some of the trite stuff, guys. I'll start with "Don't Stop" and "Gold Dust Woman." Choose other songs that will sound great but haven't been played live for far too long.

Neil and Liam Finn have just done a show where Mike Campbell turned up and they did some 'jamming' in front of a live audience. A review from a Mac fan, thought some of you may like to see.

No it won't be same as FM with Lindsey, just as it wasn't the same without Christine. But it will still be a great show I am sure.

My dream adds to a setlist this fall:

Sentimental Lady (Bob Welch) with Finn on vocals and CM and SN backing vocals

Spare Me a Little (CM from Bare Trees)

Heroes are Hard to Find; Hypnotized; and/or Oh, Well from the legacy albums

(Related titles) Stevie- Think About It, which she wrote for and about the band; Chris- Think About Me, the first single from Tusk that should have been a bigger hit in the US

Blue Letter- my favorite Lindsey B song from the White Album, and I'm guessing Finn can sing the hell out of it.

Trouble in Shangri-La: if Stevie wants to rock out with this band and make a statement, she could add this one instead of Gypsy

R447 I have no idea what to expect.

Anyone else think this 'dedication' speech by Lindsey to Peter Green is a bit weird? It's like he made it more about himself. The way I hear it anyway.

(One number I certainly won't miss is 'Big Love'. Even though I know he's a guitar genius. Some of it might have had something to do with Mick and John being such a tight rhythm section. With them supporting him, Lindsey was probably reined in from some of his excesses.)

Just retire all ready. You fucking had the chance to go out with all 5 of the Rumours lineup and that windbag cokehead witch blew it.

Whatever, r449.

Maybe you mean that Prima Donna Lindsey is the windbag cokehead witch (arguably true). But assuming you refer to Stevie... who is the one committing to another long tour? Not him, but her. Who imposed conditions that the rest of the voting members of the band could not agree to? Him, not her.

Who left the band for a long time in the past, even while albums were being recorded, missed at least one big tour, and then came back? Christine McVie and Lindsey did, but never Stevie.

I agree that he will come back. I hope Campbell and Finn stay in even after that.

I'm gonna see the last tour as end of 'Rumours Fleetwood Mac'. There was always possibility it would be the final one. So I went to see it when I could.

That's not to say the new lineup has nothing to offer. Neil Finn and Mike Campbell have both been involved in creating work that's far better than anything Lindsey has done solo. Mike Campbell is one of the best lead guitar players around. Neil's a good rhythmic backup and singer.

I think they need to get on TV doing something together, and the Mac fans will come around to it.

Looking forward to Lindsey's next double crybaby LP. It's his control freak issues that have brought this on him.

450 Stevie left the band in the 90's too.

The new Sirius XM Fleetwood Mac Channel has been very cool about playing lots of Lindsey's music, even while Neil Finn participates in interviews and plenty of Stevie solo music gets played.

I have it on in my car lately and I had forgotten how great FM music was before the Buckingham-Nicks era. Peter Green and Bob Welch wrote and sang some amazing tunes. And yes, Christine McVie was great on those albums before Stevie arrived.

The real magic happened when the band had two lead women, which it still has.

Difficult to get SiriusXM outside of US, though I sorta managed the other day.

Stevie and Christine are so different to each other but turned out to be a good combination.

There's a lot of material they can choose from, even with Lindsey not there. A lot of stuff that SHOULD be heard, but unfortunately Lindsey didn't seem keen to include. It's a shame if his being pushy on that score has got him dismissed from the lineup, and it hasn't done him any favours. (Yes I know he's done Peter Green songs over the years but it's been very occasional - not in their usual set.)

Rumours is my favourite LP by them but they can't just do that all the time after 40 years, and I'm aware that the band has other great history.

Don't know how reliable the Rolling Stone list is but in their top 100 guitarists of all time - Lindsey is at 100th, Mike Campbell at 79, Peter Green at 58.

Lindsey should probably he higher than that but Mike Campbell is clearly very capable of doing this tour. And Neil's a great harmoniser who might even be able to help the band produce some new work, without the heavy handedness of Lindsey.

LB has broken his silence with a comment, blaming 'a faction' in the group and saying 'they've lost their perspective'. They just didn't want to follow his orders anymore? The only part I can sympathise with was when he said, this will affect the group's legacy. It may be a bad note to end on, if the tour doesn't go well. But the band will still have a legacy no matter what.

Mick and John probably have the best relationship within the band.

Ever since Buckingham and Nicks joined the band Fleetwood Mac has always been plagued by jealousy, acrimony, chaos. They're shit stirrers, both of them. Buckingham seems to have some kind of mental problem; he seems manic at times. Nicks has her mental issues too. She has an immense ego and is in deep, deep love with herself. And of course both of them were (are) hard core drug addicts/alcoholics. There's a funny YouTube video of Nicks during recording sessions requesting "a joint" and saying things like "Robin, Debbie...I want a toot. This is important." and "it would be great to smoke a joint" and "I want a toot now" and "all right where's the dope, I need to smoke a joint, at least a little bit of a joint." With those two crazies in the band it's a wonder how they ANYTHING done.

R456 you're right. And they're still at it after 40 years. At 70 years old isn't it tiring? The only thing I can say for Stevie is that she is perhaps a bit more considerate of others in the group, but that could be a ploy. Lindsey is frustrated because he never got a huge solo career.

Stevie managed to get Mick on side. John and Christine go with the flow as they have no other plans.

I think Mick would like to get back to his blues roots and John would be happy about that too. Age isn't such an issue in the blues genre. Stevie's more agreeable to that than LB.

Mick himself I think has a healthy ego. There 's no way I'd be paying $600 for a meet and greet with him though.

Disturbing review from last year. And Christine had vocal issues during her shows with Lindsey.

Time will tell if this is a decent tour. Or if the band just should've been retired.

I'm astonished that people are still buying tickets to their concerts. 1976 - 1980 were peak.

Dream Set List:

Over My Head

Warm Ways

Rhiannon

Say You Love Me

You Making Loving Fun

Dreams

Songbird

Storms

Think About Me

Sara

Love In Store

Gypsy

Hold Me

Little Lies

Seven Wonders

Welcome to the Room...Sara

Everywhere

As Long As You Follow

No Questions Asked

Skies The Limit

Lindsey hasn't done drugs or drink in decades. SN only wants to do cash grab tours and NO recording. Lindsey still wants to be creative and he IS. HIs last few solo albums are absolutely brilliant. Seeds we sow is amazing and got much critical acclaim. That being said, when one person wants to record and the other doesn't and just wants to be an oldies act it isn't going to go well. LB performed last nite at a fundraiser and someone yelled out FUCK STEVIE nicks and LB SHUT HER DOWN. He was all class. SN not so much. She dictated that they can only tour every three years and not record. When LB wanted a few extra months she had him removed. IT's pretty much been confirmed ths ouster is ALL HER. Sorry to break it to you chiffonheads but that's the way it is.

FM is my all time favorite band but Gracie Slick is right -- who wants to see 70 year olds croak out their hits. No way I'm paying what they want with the non money band.

BREAKING: 'We will NEVER tire of debating Buckingham's impact upon the internal dymanics of Fleetwood Mac', vows the Datalounge

[quote]LB performed last nite at a fundraiser and someone yelled out FUCK STEVIE nicks

Which of you bitches was this?

LB has never had a top 40 album on his own. If FM fans think he's so great, why not? While I recognize his talent as a guitar player, very few songs of his that I really liked. The Fleetwood Mac albums have just sounded more and more like his solo albums over the years so what's the point? 'Say You Will' was difficult to make and only had moderate success. Stevie wasn't going to repeat that experience.

If last few years of FM were just gonna be Lindsey wanting to do his own idiosyncratic, self-indulgent stuff and make it the main sound of the group, with him wanting to assert himself as the most important member - I couldn't think of anything I'd be less willing to sit/suffer through.

It's a good time now to pay tribute to the band's overall history, including the early part, which has been neglected over the years. Then call it a day.

Someone said this on a board and perhaps better than I could:

[quote]I think the decision was made based on a mixture of business and personal reasons. I believe all 5 contributed to the breakdown. This happened over time. I think it is was clear after Say You Will that Stevie never wanted to record with Lindsey again. I think Lindsey’s attitude/behavior also plays a part. I am not convinced by that video shot by fans means he never said he wanted to delay the tour until 2019. He easily could have said that to FM in the weeks preceding that video. His request combined with his comments over the Classic shows and his manager PLUS the ongoing tension with Stevie may have been what cemented his fate. Was it the right decision? I don’t think so. She is obviously narcissistic and has an overflated ego (as does Mick, and as does Lindsey). It’s disappointing. I think the four will regret the decision. But the decision was made. I think the idea anyone is above being fired is ridiculous, no matter how popular or important someone is. If they had given Stevie her walking papers for not recording what became BuckVie, that would have been their right.

It is what it is and it's a shame but I'm over it. I'm just glad I got to see them do a few good shows, it's not the end of the world for me.

The press conference for the "new" Fleetwood Mac was an awkward, joyless affair and it seems ticket sales for the tour are underwhelming. Stevie and Mick have become objects of derision among longtime fans. This is what they wanted to accomplish? As someone else mentioned, Stevie tends to become unhinged when in grief and somehow Tom Petty's death summoned her blackest feelings toward Lindsey. She's a fucking nutcase yet the band has to go along with her because she's their star attraction. Perhaps it's best the Lindsey's wagon is no longer hitched to crazy, self-obsessed Stevie Nicks, who's nearly incapable of uttering a single sentence that don't include the words "I" or "me."

I don't believe this was entirely Stevie, and she would've been willing to still tour with LB if the others insisted. Lindsey has a temperamental, difficult attitude and that's part of the reason why he's gone. If he can get his ego in check, and not need total control over the band, maybe there's a way open to return.

I think that Mick was obviously throwing shade at Lindsey last year during interviews, but they still would've tried going along together. Something since then likely happened so that none were on the same page. I don't think it was an impulse decision because Tom Petty died. It was something given thought.

As a fan, I don't need them all to be together if it's just gonna make them unhappy, and I won't lay the blame at a particular person. They most likely did what they felt that had to.

I'm hoping that Christine isn't feeling bad about it, or as if she caused some division by coming back to the group. She shouldn't feel that way. But instead of her return bringing people closer together, it seems to have broken them further apart. Her age probably means that they want to get back on the road again ASAP. If they started a tour next year she could be 76 years old and won't finish until she's 77. John's not far behind her, has been through cancer treatment, and life expectancy for men is 3-4 years shorter than for women.

But the rest - I don't care anymore. Once the new band gets sorted out and people get to see them, I'm pretty sure the ticket sales will pick up.

Done now wasting my time and emotional energy on this topic.

Lindsey did have a top 40 album of his own Law and Order. He never had the breakthrough solo sucess that SN did, but he was critically acclaimed. He also didn't do mainstream records. He took chances and tried new things. If he would have put out a straight pop album for his first outing i am sure it would have been more successful, instead they were very artsy. The man is brilliant and well respected no matter what the Stevie trolls say. Sales does not equal how good you are.

Where is this news coming from that ticket sales for the fall 2018 -spring '19 tour are disappointing?

I'm hearing the floor is sold out at the show I want to go to

Why do these old dinosaurs want to keep touring, anyway? For the money? You'd think they'd be pretty well off from all the money they've made over the years and I imagine they are. For the adulation? I know Stevie Nicks loves being worshiped by adoring fans, but the rest of them don't seem to be that much in need of the attention. I don't know why they still do it, unless it's sheer greed that drives them to get back together in some form and sing the same ancient songs night after night. I wouldn't shell out any dough to see them. I wish they were all just retire, once and for all. Fleetwood Mac is so passe. It really is time to give it up. They're all so OLD.

470 Stevie does it for the adulation and cash. Mick strictly for the cash. Christine said she got bored being retired and was having fun. Lindsey does it because he needs to still be creative. He still is creative and still makes GREAT solo albums. John Mcvie does it because he's loyal to Mick who is a greedy huckster.

at 2;13 you see Lindsey and Stevie in the studio during the making of Tusk working out the song Angel. Interesting dynamic, this is a few years after they broke up.

You just might get your wish r470. Sometimes a farewell tour is truly a farewell tour. Just ask a Tom Petty fan.

I don't think there will ever be a "farewell tour" for Fleetwood Mac. They'll keep touring as long as people are wiling to come out to see them or until ALL of them are dead. I think if it were just Stevie Nicks left she'd tour with some band she'd slap together and pretend it's a version of Fleetwood Mac.

R474 something like that once really happened to the band pre-Stevie/Lindsay. A greedy manager formed an alternate Fleetwood Mac when Mick, John, Christine had had enough of touring and were re-grouping. Mick had to sue to get their name back.

[quote]Why do these old dinosaurs want to keep touring, anyway? For the money? You'd think they'd be pretty well off from all the money they've made over the years and I imagine they are. For the adulation?

I'm sure money and adulation factor in, but so, probably, do things like fun and paying the huge support staff and giving the fans what they want. There aren't that many bands that have been around as long who can still fill arenas and only a handful that play stadiums. But some still play, with or without the original lineup, at city festivals and state fairs and event private events sponsored by corporations...and if they earn it and please the fans and make some money, good for them.

Why do so many great actors keep working after 60 anyway? They are so old.

Acting is different. Older actors can be brilliant in great character roles. But the things rock stars do don't translate well to advanced age. Rock stars in performance have to expend a lot of energy and when somebody is older it's not as easy to do that. Plus, they sound ridiculous singing songs they sang decades ago when they were in their twenties. Mick Jagger said he didn't want to be singing "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" when he was old; I know he still performs but I wonder if he still sings that particular song. I guess if he makes enough money doing it he'll still sing it. Anyway, Stevie Nicks looks silly as hell twirling and singing songs about crystal visions and the velvet underground; she's nearly 70, for God's sake. Trying to sexy or rebellious at age 25 is one thing; to try and project that image when you're 60 just doesn't cut it.

R477 I get what you're saying. Their last tour was very successful and I enjoyed it (yeah they've been around for ages but that also gives em some interesting history). How they keeping this going for another five years however, I don't know.

I think the Rolling Stones have been going back to the blues lately, which is what they originally started out with, before they decided to take on The Beatles. African American blues artists just keep going until they drop, like BB King. Fleetwood Mac also started out as a blues outfit so that's something they might also fall back on (though they're obviously not going to drop everything familiar to their audience at this point).

Before this split, I was thinking Lindsey Buckingham would probably end up taking over the majority of the show. He's a brilliant guitar player but a little of him can also go a long way. And seeing him do this mad-angry-rock-guitarist act when he's an old guy in his seventies, looking like someone's demented grandpa who should be taken to the nursing home? Please...

I don't know why these people keep going but they're the generation of the 'Baby Boomers' who have probably never really grown up. They can't let go of the 'youth culture' they pioneered, they have a self-entitled vain attitude, and now they're hitting 70 - welp! The people they 'represent' don't want to see their icons fading out and retiring, giving into the frailties of age etc. Hell no.

But sooner or later reality has to be faced and the last two or three years have been tough reminders - nobody is immortal and invincible. They want to secure their legacy while time is left, even though nobody wants to concede it's the final chapter. Lindsey wants the recognition he feels is due to him. Mick and John probably want their legacy preserved as 'British blues legends' - while they're still tied to FM. Stevie? Well she's trying to make sure that people remember her as a relevant and influential figure in her own right, while she's taking selfies with Adele. It's probably not an easy balance for everyone.

They're all professionals and very experienced so maybe they can pull it off. Wish them the best, just hope it doesn't all end up looking and sounding so bad they become laughing stock.

It was a blue letter Stevie wrote to him. Silver words she told.

Lindsey is a better guitar player but Neil is the better songwriter, and at this point Neil's voice is in better shape.

And with Mike Campbell there is also gong to be some great guitar work.

A big mistake Crowded House probably made was getting into American political subjects with some badly chosen work, when they had better material, as they were trying to break that market. If you come in from anywhere else and take on that subject, you are going to have trouble. If not for that, Neil Finn would probably be better known.

Anywhere else, you can get away with it and people don't really care. But in America it's probably killed many a career.

60 year old eldergay here. I've heard of Fleetwood Mac but have never, ever heard of Lindsey Buckingham.

Don't hate, but was shocked that this thread has 481 replies...SHOCKED.

Fuck Stevie Nicks. The tour is going to bomb!

Thank god he's not on this tour - will be so much better without his squawking, and without those dreadful 6 minute guitar solos that no one likes but him.

"Thank god he's not on this tour - will be so much better without his squawking, and without those dreadful 6 minute guitar solos that no one likes but him."

Oh for fuck's sake, that's why Mick Fleetwood asked him to be in that band: his guitar work. By the way, if it weren't for Lindsay Buckingham nobody would have ever heard of Stevie Nicks. He transposes and arranges her songs. And she got into Fleetwood Mac because when Mick Fleetwood asked Buckingham to join the band hesaid he and his girlfriend were a package deal, and that if he joined she would have to be included too.

Buckingham was a major reason for the band's success. I don't think a lot of people will want to see this ersatz version of Fleetwood Mac.

He does a long solo on ONE song. This person just loves to be a queenfaced douche.

My husband just returned from Australia. Crowded House, as you would guess, is HUGE down under. The locals view Neil Finn's appearance in Fleetwood Mac as a step down. A pretty big one at that.

The band have desecrated their own legacy with this stupid and shocking move, which is all about Stevie Nicks' crazed grief over Tom Petty. She's acting the part of the disconsolate widow, like Pola Negri at Valentino's funeral. Like many longtime fans, I'm ignoring this "new" faux-Fleetwood Mac travesty.

Neil Finn can and will make more money from this FM tour than he could ever make from the Australian audience over his entire lifetime.

I don’t think he’s crying into his vegemite because a few blokes and sheilas disapprove of his career choice.

Lindsey does one long guitar solo in the show and he sexually harasses multiple women at the same time!

Whatever. The tour could turn out to be one of the most interesting of 2018-19, or it could be a huge bust.

Has there been any credible report that Lindsey ever agreed to the schedule? Because the main story seems to be that he wouldn't agree to the tour schedule, possibly holding out for another album he could control, and wanted to wait.

Rumor has it that Lindsey changed his mind again.

RUMORS!

Rumours, actually.

Neil is a prolific songwriter so I’m hoping he can whip up some new songs for him, Stevie and Christine to sing together.

Neil Finn already wrote a song for the FM tour. It’s called “Grab That Baby Boomer Cash.” No long guitar solo, thank God!

He was gorgeous back in the day.

[R496] Yes he was - a rare combination of stunningly handsome and genius-level talent. It's almost as if Lindsey used his out-there musical experiments after he hit it big to deflect attention, while Stevie could never, ever get enough attention and strove to be as famous as possible.

You guys defending Lindsey are all exactly right about his talent, and about his contributions to the band from 1975 onward. But he quit before, hating to tour, and wouldn't agree to the schedule for this tour. He wants another album with him as the producer and decision-maker. Stevie (and others, evidently) argue that the records won't sell and that being on the road and doing great shows is more important and is what the fans want. And yes, that's where the money is made.

So what? The rest of the band should just sit back and let him call the shots?

"So what? The rest of the band should just sit back and let him call the shots?"

There are TWO supremely ego-driven people in Fleetwood Mac: Lindsay Buckingam and Stevie Nicks. I'd say of the two, Nicks tends to get her way a lot more often, which must be galling to Buckingham considering how much he's done for her musically. Anyway, the constant friction between them has been causing discord and chaos in that band ever since they joined it. I don't know how Fleetwood and John and Christine McVie have been able to put up with their shit all these years, although maybe I can understand why Fleetwood has. He and Nicks used to be boinking each other; maybe they still do.

[quote]I don't know how Fleetwood and John and Christine McVie have been able to put up with their shit all these years

I'm sure the fact that Buckingham & Nicks transformed them into the biggest band in the universe has something to do with it. I love a lot of the pre-1975 Mac albums, but they didn't sell that well, and the band probably would have sputtered out if they hadn't joined.

I love Christine McVie and am so glad she's back after such a long absence so I'm just thrilled I get to see her again with FM. Lindsey's a great guitarist but I'm not a huge fan of his songs, at least the ones that are always included in the setlists, so I could really care less if he's not on the tour.

"I'm sure the fact that Buckingham & Nicks transformed them into the biggest band in the universe has something to do with it."

I can understand them putting up with their crap while the albums were still selling. But why deal with them tour after tour in their later years? Don't they have enough money to not have to tour with the eternally antagonistic couple that is Nicks and Buckingham? I guess the lure of money overcomes everything.

Musicians only make money these days from touring, recordings no longer sell.

They could retire but what would they do? Sit around the house? They could travel and sightsee, but they could also do that in between tour dates and still get paid for it. Their tours now have lots of free days/nights, so that's still possible.

R487 you sound like a calm, rational person!

tis $$$

he wanted way more than they could pay him for the concert tour

they will be fine w/o him, saw them in nyc, he was weak...

What R498 said seems reasonable

Touring is tough, even when the band is well established; the constant traveling, going from city to city, country to country, hotel room to hotel room and doing constant interviews and promo appearances. It's tough. Why go through all that if you don't have to, especially when you're the age they are? I guess rock stars are a bottomless pit when is comes to money and fan worship.

Speaking of hotel rooms, it was said that during the Tusk tour Nicks requested that all the hotel rooms she stayed in be painted pink and be equipped with a white piano. She denied that, but said that she always requested "the Presidential Suite" in a hotel because "we're glamorous people and we need a glamorous place to sleep." What.An. Airhead.

Buckingham was weak? Hardly. He commands the stage and never leaves it the whole show. Not once.

"No one ever leaves; Everyone stays close til the fire fades"

Very cool version of the underappreciated Stevie Nicks song "Fireflies," the first (only?) single from the Fleetwood Mac Live album recorded on the Tusk tour. This demo has Lindsey trading vocals with Stevie, which is quite different from the album cut and single as originally released.

The song was about trying to keep the band together despite all the conflicts... "My five fireflies."

Good song, stupid video but LINDSEY WAS SMOKING HOT!

Fleetwood Mac should just give up and call it a day. Their best days are behind them.

There’s too much money to be made by keeping this dying band alive

He's going on tour at the same time. I would go see him if he would promise to not do those hideous 6-minute guitar solos. He has so many good songs, but on stage he tends to get lost in his own world.

Lindsey should have grown his moustache and beard back after the 1980's were over. He tries too hard to look younger.

I'm sure the anthology album will be great, r513. I have always loved and lusted over Lindsey Buckingham.

But to be realistic, this is not the first time he and the band have parted ways. He left and then came back, as Chris has now done. We used to hear LB was because he hated extended tours and just wanted to record; now we hear it's because he wants more control an resents everything being done around Stevie's schedule.

I have no doubt he played a big role in getting Christine McVie back in, but now he's left out.

He should have signed on for another tour, a big one and maybe the last, unless his health prevented it. His live shows solo are very good, I have heard. But Fleetwood Mac with Stevie, Christine, John, Mick and the "new boys" Neil Finn and Mike Campbell will be a great big concert tour.

I'm not seeing FM without Lindsey buckingham. NO WAY! But I will see him solo this year. GREAT in concert

[quote]I'm sure the anthology album will be great, [R513]

It has "DW Suite," but not "Bang a Drum."

Lindsey was signed for the tour, then FM fired him at Stevie's insistence. She just had a mammoth tour with the Pretenders so she gets to call the shots. If Stevie had to wait until she was 70 to royally fuck over Lindsey, this was it.

Can we all just appreciate how freaking hot he was in that wrong video above? WOW

They were on Ellen today performing The Chain. Ugh. It was AWFUL. Neil Finn sang Lindsey’s lead vocal and it felt like a suburban dad performing in a garage band. Stevie and Chris’s mics seemed to be turned on super low. If this was meant to wet whistles over their upcoming tour... EEK.

They were smart to sell the tickets first and appear on Ellen second. Those white people boogieing in the audience—do we really look that goofy?

Isn’t Stevie the draw of this tour? Then why have a scrub play a Lindsey song on national TV? Did they forget how to play Rhiannon and Sara and Dreams?

Fine for $30 on a Sunday afternoon in the park but not for $250 at the arena.

Not good, Lindsey is missed. I wonder how many tickets they have sold for this mess.

I don't remember so much hostility toward the band the last time Lindsey refused to tour, and ended up out for quite a while--after all the success of the Mirage album and tour, for which he took so much credit, Lindsey refused to tour to support "Tango in the Night," even though the great title song was his!!

It is no secret he has always wanted to control everything, including when, where, and with whom he goes on the road. But be careful hat you wish for, guys: he really wanted Chris back, and got her; now he's the one out because they have done it without him before.

R521, All of the lyrics to "The Chain" as well as the melody of the chorus were written by Stevie herself.

The other members added bits and pieces to "The Chain" later.

Wasn’t he outed by the #metoo movement as a groping borderline rapist?

[quote]the #metoo movement

Just say "#metoo".

R523, Lindsey initially complained about Christine wanting back in the band back in 2013 because that meant Fleetwood Mac would have to pay for the rights of performing her songs since she sold her catalogue of songs many years before. He didn't "fight hard/work hard" to get her back in the group. Again, Stevie had the final say, which he hated.

It was a business move, not a "creative" move at all. $$$$$

I thought they sounded great in the Ellen clip but I am biased as a fan of Neil Finn. I much prefer his vocals to Lindsey’s overall but I can understand that it would sound jarring to many.

R528, they did sound great. What Finn and Campbell bring to the band is only hinted at in the Ellen clips. They are still in rehearsal as the tour doesn't start for like three weeks.

Christine McVie, by the way, looks better than she has in many years.

I look forward to hearing some old songs, even some Lindsey songs, reimagined for a new tour. I hope the band stays together, maybe even records some music, and that if LB wants to come back, he doesn't displace the experienced and talented new members.

It’s strange to hear someone other than Lindsay sing The Chain since everyone knows that it’s based on his real life experience.

I did NOT recognize Mike Campbell in the Ellen clip. Is he purposely playing in the dark while wearing a big hat and sunglasses to go unrecognized? In the group promo shot, he’s the only one in shades. Hm. Get that paycheck, I guess.

Really, Lindsey? To be the last to leave, the last to be gone?

He's suing them now

Can Lindsey legally force FM to stop playing his songs? No one wants to hear the Croweed House guy or any other random dude sing The Chain or any of those other beloved LB classics.

Like other people who grew up with FM's music, I've been a fan of the group and solo stuff for years, but isn't this off-again/on-again shit getting old?

I don't know who's wrong or right in these scenarios, but Nicks is 72.

Christ, just let it go, already.

Hate to tell Lindsey but the Mac Shake the Cage Tour in 87 without him was a huge success. Still I don't blame him for suing. The idea of Stevie, black draped with shawls and scarves, being deposed is an amusing one.

R534, I'm ONLY 70 years old NOT 72!

[quote]Can Lindsey legally force FM to stop playing his songs? No one wants to hear the Croweed House guy or any other random dude sing The Chain or any of those other beloved LB classics

Come on, you aren't serious, are you?

When Lindsey joined the band he sang lead in concert on several big songs that predated his time in band, including some classics I hope come back into the set. He was hired as a replacement lead singer and guitarist, but then Stevie became a star.

LB can no more prevent FM from performing his songs (absent a contract otherwise) than he can shut down any of the FM tribute bands making money playing his music and appropriating his guitar licks, live.

I love him, but I wish he had found a way to come to terms for this tour. Blaming Stevie is cheap. The band wouldn't be on the road all these years later if she hadn't cleaned up and come back.