They could have tried this
 

I was just thinking after watching the Ellen performance. Why did they feel the need to get two people to replace Lindsey? When Christine retired they didn't fill her spot. The focus was then on Lindsey and Stevie songs. They did Don't stop and just sang her parts.

Why didn't they do the same thing with Lindsey's firing? They could have just hired Mike Campbell and not Neil Finn. Do all Chris and Stevie songs except for Go Your Own Way and have the girls sing it.

Mike is a great guitarist, but his sound is so different from Lindsey's. Neil is a fine singer, but not much stage presence with the Mac and frankly, you don't really need a male singer. Chris and Stevie have the bulk of the hits.

They could have also added a male backup singer to flesh things out.

After watching the Ellen performance, it just doesn't work. The Billy/Rick years were ok, but that was then. Just my 2 cents.

The biggest issue is that their 3 part harmony has a dominant male vocal. I realize that everyone in the backup band is singing now, to cover up their inabilities now, but they still need a guy singing, as a front person. JMO.

I honestly don't think Chris could lead half the show anymore, which is what you'd need her to do if they didn't hire Finn and you didn't want the show to officially become a Stevie Nicks solo gig. Even on the BuckVie tour, she appeared to play a more passive role to Lindsey who, to me, appeared to be leading the show.

It would be different without a male vocal but I think it could work with the right background singers. But they aren't bold enough to do that. With Finn they can essentially keep the same arrangements and setlist that they've grown accustomed to. After hearing Neil sing The Chain, I find it laughable that they are going to try and pull off some pre-75 stuff. I can't even imagine him singing Oh Well - MAYBE Hypnotized..Rattlesnake Shake?? Come on man!

So, we have two female backing singers....singing as Christine and Stevie.
Two new guitars playing as Lindsey, the one of which sings as Lindsey.
Various backing musicians on keyboard and guitar.
Oh and Mick and John.

So it’s Mick and John’s
Fleetwood Mac All Stars.
It is THe END, not the beginning of the end.

I agree with you 100% (except Mike being a great guitarist, but I will concede the point to the larger theme)

Oddly enough, I’d find solely Mike replacing Lindsey 1,000 times more palatable. He has a history with the band members, the Heartbreakers were from the same general era and style as FM, and he’s quietly talented in the vein of John McVie. Not to mention with Tom Petty’s unfortunate passing, it seems like a fitting transition.

For whatever reason it’s Finn that absolutely makes my blood boil. He just doesn’t belong, in the way Billy Burnette & Dave Mason didn’t belong in FM. Not to mention the band got their replacement rock star-quality guitarist with Mike. Leave it at that! Otherwise the inevitable Billy & Rick comparisons are all too easy!!

I’m right with you man. I don’t hate Finn but to be honest I didn’t know his name when this first went down. But his being there enrages me for the same reason as it does you. It’s unnecessary and it absolutely leads to comparisons to 87-90 except that Campbell is in a different and better league than Vito.

But how else was he going to promote "Light Sleeper" in the U.S.?!?!

:cool::p

And booooooommmm!! <-------- the sound of SugarMouse's head exploding

I was okay with Mike being the lone replacement and was nervous when it came out there would be a second guitarist/lead male vocalist. I didn’t think it was necessary. I was relieved that they picked someone who’s respected amongst musicians.

So was Neil, though. He joined Split Enz in 1977.

It’s too soon for me to judge how Neil will work out. One TV show appearance a month in is too soon either way. At least for me.

We’ve already had this thread, BTW…

http://ledge.fleetwoodmac.net/showthread.php?t=57867

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!:lol::angel::lol::angel::lol::angel::lol:

You stole my thesis ;)

I agree with you in part. When Lindsey replaced Bob Welch, Lindsey did not try to sound like Bob. He put his own style and licks on those songs. I think its a mistake to try and duplicate Lindsey. I could be in the minority but it would be refreshing to hear a different guitar version on these songs. I know it would be so daring because the casual fans would criticize it. But I think highlighting the new guitarists is exciting rather than trying to duplicate and sound like Lindsey. If this is REALLY a new band then show it.
In 1990 Lindsey opened up and spoke to the press about Rick and Billy replacing him. Even though he worked on BTM, Lindsey stated it was a big mistake to replace him in trying to duplicate him. The band should have moved on in a new and different direction. I get it. When Lindsey and Stevie joined, the band went in a new direction with new sound. I think the same thing should happen. Would be interesting. Mike should have blown the audience away with his guitar playing, something hard and heavy that would have raised some eyebrows and made people say WOW.

That could still happen on the tour. I think people are overlooking all the limitations of a TV performance. Songs always have to be shortened for television, and cutting guitar solos is the easiest way to do that. Also, how much energy was Lindsey going to be able to show on Ellen, where they were all crammed onto a stage the size of a postage stamp? Live on TV and live on stage are two totally different things.

I think we can all agree--TV is not the best medium for a live performance. That said, Stevie and Lindsey have both performed solo on Ellen, and had great performances. Stevie and FM have done the Today Show and GMA--I think we can probably agree to mixed results, but far exceeding the high school band try out we saw this week. I assume if WE all know TV not the best medium--I would think their PR folks would too. Begs the question--who decided this should be the worlds inaugural look at a Lindsey-less FM. Particularly with all of the backlash these folks are getting. They HAD To be perfect in their first showing. First impressions last the longest. This was a fail all the way around. All the chatter we've had on rehearsals, chemistry, etc. bottom line is this group was not ready to play live, or if they are, find a show where you can easily fit their new 15 person band on the stage.

Lol and I see I already had posted in that thread. I must be getting old.



.

This is a great viewpoint.

I finally decided to show my husband the Ellen videos. He has no vested interest in FM and humors me and my obsession. Rarely ever watches any of the things that I watch on FM. But he has been to concerts with me, so has witnessed both the Christine-less years, as well as the return of Chris.

He is a drummer and a musician, from a family of musicians and performers, so completely understands music, performing, etc.

His comment was “Well that was a cross between amateurs and has-beens. You must be really disappointed.” He has enough chops to recognize that something so important as the debut performance should have been booked and executed in such a way that they shone. Then he said “that’s depressing to watch.” Which made me tear up. It breaks my heart.

He thought Neil wasn’t very good, Mike is talented, but wtf was that piano thingy, Stevie looks like a Botox experiment gone bad, Chris sooo cute, John and Mick-standard.

Then he gave me a big hug and said he’s sorry that my band blew up. I really cried at that point. :(

Oooooohhhh SNAP.:lol: He calls a spade a spade. This fajita roundup of a band is a FARCE. $tevie'$ SMUG face makes me want to slap the sh*t out of her(NO, not because $he's a woman, because $he's a smug b*tch).

I hope these IDIOTS realize at some point, how badly they f*cked up.

For many of us, this is the end of our life long band. We're terribly sad, angry, and mournful. It was bad enough that their voices were fading, but they had to hasten the death by turning it into a cover band. Well played, $tevie, you old bitter goat.

What's really sad is I was under the impression that this tour would be the final one. John had stated in an interview that he was ready to retire. They aren't getting any younger and obviously there will be no new album with the 5. (thanks Stevie)

And that has been taken away from us the fans, because of some "scheduling conflict"? It makes no sense whatsoever. By letting Lindsey go they risk poor ticket sales. It's a given it won't be as much as it would be with Lindsey. I'm not going and I have never missed a show in Pittsburgh.

Lindsey's wife disputes what Stevie/Mick are selling about why Lindsey was let go. This is so frustrating as a fan. I just can't get over it and I am still scratching my head on this one. Neil and Mike are great, but sorry, this isn't the Fleetwood Mac that fans want to see in 2018. We can argue over the many changes all we want. I didn't mind the Bill/Rick years that much, but in the end, it didn't sell. Mick and Stevie have some explaining to do and I feel they have really tarnished the legacy once and for all. I am looking forward to a Lindsey interview where he will tell his side of the story. What could he have done that caused this? I know, it's all been said before. But it still begs the same questions. Sorry for the rant.

Ok this made me laugh out loud, which I needed. :lol:

This is all about Stevie, and she's made no bones about that. SHE wants to be happy, SHE wants to dance around, SHE will stop complaining.... :eek:

I don't think she knows how NOT to complain. She's made a second career out of bitching about Lindsey, I bet she won't know what to talk about in rehearsals. "I'm so glad Lindsey is no longer here so I don't have to complain about how awful he was, how strict he was, how he wouldn't stay here all night till 3 am because he had, you know, a "family" (insert her eye roll here) blah blah blah. "I'm so glad Lindsey isn't here so I don't have to think about him or talk about him. You know when Lindsey was here he would insist on doing x. How much nicer it is without Lindsey here."

And her lame comment about sometimes people finally get divorced after 40 years and the kids are all mad coz it ruined the family still irritates the crap out of me.... apparently we are all the "kids" who can't get over mommy and daddy breaking up. No, sister honey, we're all grown ups who work and manage our lives and who understand how ****ty it is when a colleague with whom you've built a successful brand screws you over and ruins the company you built together.

hahahahaha probably a very mild version of what is actually happening! :laugh::wavey: i just made a very similar comment in another thread on how the new guys must be going wtf about her never ending going on about LB and how awful she thinks he is about this or that.

Ha, poor old Neil Finn. It must be around about now that he's thinking...'wtf? This old girl isn't the full ticket. Who'da known? What's my exit strategy?'

Indeed his latest tweet is;
Thanks for the many warm messages of goodwill , welcome , concern, bemusement, wonder.
I love being in Fleetwood Mac.

Maybe I'm being just a bit too cynical but I sense... 'I don't love being in Fleetwood Mac'.

yea this struck me as curious...... I get goodwill, welcome.... Concern? Who's sending him warm messages of concern? And concern about what exactly? Wonder? Bemusement.....That means people scratching their heads about him joining FM..

the dictionary defines it as:
noun
the fact or condition of being bemused; puzzlement.
"we turned to each other in utter bemusement"

So people are sending him messages of concern, wonder, and bemusement? Hmmm.....so is the "I love being in FM" meant to put those people at ease?

I actually found this quite poignant too
Knowing his level of humour and kiwi sarcasm, I think he was subtly meaning 'don't'.......he clearly wasn't prepared for all the personal and emotional drama that simultaneously follows this band along with their music

The answer is simple. Keyboard players are generally optional in the official line-up of a band - F Mac didn't have one initially apart from Jeremy's piano bits.

Guitarists are not optional. Rock bands without them are very much in a minority (I can only think of Keane). Fleetwood Mac has always relied on having at least one guitarist in its official membership. With a legacy of strong players (and I don't just mean Peter and Lindsey) it would be a cowardly option to just get sidesmen to do it all out of the spotlight.

Personally I think they should have responded to Stevie's "I'm not recording as the only woman again" ultimatum by recruiting Sandy Stewart but there you go.

Don't forget about the time when Stevie and Lindsey had adjacent hotel rooms while they were on tour and Lindsey banged on the wall telling her to turn her music down. She seemed offended by it and wanted to make sure that never happened again. Shows you just how much they are in different places in their lives. Or better yet, their maturity levels. Lindsey, the practical family man, who wants to get a decent nights sleep before going to work the next day. Stevie wants to party all night.


That would be Grandparents/Grandchildren

Are you confusing the time they had adjacent dressing rooms when Stevie was getting interviewed by Rolling Stone for her solo front cover on the OWTS tour?
That's when Lindsey banged on the wall.....

Yes that's it. I knew it was when she was being interviewed by someone. Why do you think I was confused? :D

Right. It was dressing rooms, not hotel rooms. The difference is important because SN’s dressing room activity does not interfere with LB getting a good nights sleep.

Oh okay thanks for clearing that up Nathan. Now I can get a good night's sleep.

My pleasure Joe.

You really do pay attention! Atta boy! :thumbsup:

Perfect summation. And we are in synch emotionally. I need a husband.

So why was Lindsey pissed off if it was just adjacent dressing rooms? Was he trying to get into his zen moment before the concert? Was Stevie playing Justin Bieber or maybe her RAL tracks?

i believe the whole band was pissed off and were not shy in expressing it, according to the RS writer of that article about her. it was right the time when FM was prepping to go on stage. he said Mick just coldly ignored him in the hallway and they were all pissed that there was a Stevie cover story in the middle of the hugely successful Fleetwood Mac tour celebrating the return of Christine. the writer said it was not his choice to interview just her. he discussed that on Sirius radio around the audio of that first Rolling Stone interview with the #newbandnow. there is link to that audio somewhere on this board.

So Lindsey banged on Stevie's adjacent dressing room wall telling Stevie to turn down her music because he was pissed about her solo cover on RS versus a band cover, especially because Chris had just returned to FM?! I really am confused now. Or I'm too drunk to comprehend this! Help me, please.

now when you brought it up - it seems weird that she'd be playing music loud during her RS interview, no? :lol: why was she doing that? what was going on? i can't remember all the details! go on Sirius listen to that RS interview from back in May, i guess.

:laugh: Where is Nathan when you need him? NATHAN!!! :laugh:

To be fair and Im not one to defend SN usually but if it's adjacent dressing rooms before a show I hardly think it's hugely selfish to have your music playing loudish to get you in the mood before performing...

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/m...s-back-179984/

There you go