If you could ask Jeremy Spencer ONE question, what would you ask?
 

And if he absolutely had to be honest:

Jeremy, when you left Fleetwood Mac that day and disapeared were you really trying to "stick it" to anyone in particular in your band?

Hey there, I know you probably did not mean it as such, but your question may come off as a tad insensitive, even rude. Jeremy reads The Ledge and occasionally posts on it. Several interviews have revealed there was no malice in his decision to leave the band. He was ready for a more spiritual journey.

But I like the subject of your thread and will even contribute a question.

On the Kiln House tour you must have had some thoughts about what you might do for the next FM studio record. What were some possible directions you were willing to take?

Hmmm....
 

What makes you ask this question, Viv? Do you suspect something? And if so, who would it have been? Understand that I don't mean this badly, I think your question is valid coming from someone who would be curious, and I certainly don't take any offence.
Jeremy.

Thoughts on Kiln House follow-up
 

At that point, I had no idea, Aleuzzi. It all seemed so futile, and my mind was confused. Recording direction etc. was the last thing on it, to be honest.

Since you're around, I have a question or two. :D.

From what you knew of Peter Green before his "change", do you think he would've left FM as soon as he did? In other words, if drugs didn't take away his ambition, would he have been the leader Jimmy Page, or Pete Townshend were for their respective bands? I can't see the cocky Peter Green turning down that future, but that's why I'm asking you Jeremy. :shrug:

From what I gathered in the Peter Green BBC documentary, you stayed in touch with Peter long after he left FM. Is this correct? Do you still see, or speak with him today? Actually that's four. :o


I just went back and re-read your Q&A from 6/99 just to make sure I didn't ask a previously answered question. You mentioned interaction with Mick and John, but not Peter.

Jeremy, what what do you most miss of the band or those days?

ask me any question, but...!
 

Okay, this is for the record for all concerned pre-Rumours ledgies!
Like Muddy Waters said: "You can ask me any question you like , just don't ask me what I think about the Rolling Stones."
And like Scotty Moore said (guitarist with Elvis in the early days) 'Don't ask me about Elvis'!"
Or even Joanne Woodward: "Don't ask me: 'What is it like to live with Paul Newman?"
Same here: "Don't ask me about PG! As John McVie said, "I'm 'petered out' on the subject."
Sorry, but that is the case for me, too. Whether it is ego or not on my part, I don't really care. I understand your and many other's interest in this subject, but after almost forty years of being quizzed on PG, I am burned out! Ask me about me and the other FM guys with whom I am acquainted and I am more than happy to answer. (Maybe I won't be getting so many questions in that case! :))
Jeremy.

I would say...
 

...playing with them largely as good musicians and their company as friends.

Interestingly enough tonight as I was folding my laundry I was thinking about this question I had asked you and was wondering why you were not answering me and at the same time I was thinking it, you were asking ME a question. How cool huh?

I would guess that it was Mick you were angry with or maybe Christine. It just never made any sense to me that you would just vanish on them like you did.

I had a boyfriend once who was always saying he was gonna commit suicide. He always said he would do it on the front lawn of his fathers house. You see he was really always angry with his dad for reasons one cannot fathom. He wanted to punish his father, but who really loses in a situation like that?

Thank you for saying I did not offend you with my question as I was beginning to think I did because you never answered me. You answered my question with a question. Any chance you want to answer my original question now?

I sorry if I asked you the 20,000th question. I regret the question. I crossed "the line" and I was wrong, yet I didn't know how wrong I was until now. I'll go back to listening to my Beatles' remasters. BTW I think Joanne Woodward loved to live with Paul Newman since she did until he passed away! Scotty Moore directly influenced every guitar player through George Harrison, and beyond. I'm probably sure Muddy Waters resented the Rolling Stones. Though his backing band loved to watch your band with that certain person onstage!


Here is my real question: How are you?

Hi Jeremy - here's a question for you. One thing that strikes me when I listen to recordings of your live performances - from back in your Fleetwood Mac days to more recently, you always sound like you're having a great time onstage (and I hope I'm right about that!). :) Is there any one of your live performances from over the years that stands out as being the most memorable or your favorite?

I'm fine, Slipkid, tx!
 

On the Joanne Woodward thing, Of course she loved living with him, a beautiful example of sticking together. But I recently read a very interesting Writers' Handbook article on giving interviews in which this woman said that she had snagged one of the rarest and most in depth, candid interviews with Joanne Woodward because she didn't pop the 20,000th question!
Anyway, how are you?

No, they didn't like talking about each other or their private lives, in general. Even the most innocuous comments could become invasive left to the press, so it was better for them to make as few as possible. I remember once Newman was talking about fidelity and said why go out for hamburger when you've got steak at home. They asked Woodward for her response and she said she didn't like being compared to meat, favorably or unfavorably. Period.

Additionally, the media is never satisfied and likes to tread most in the very areas that should be honored as off limits (i.e. Scott Newman's death). So, don't give an inch, if you aren't ready to lose a foot.

Michele

Hi Jeremy
 

Let me start by thanking you for taking the time to answer questions on this site, your contibutions are always interesting and informative.

My question is regarding the "Vaudville" portion of your performances, when you would wear the gold suit, etc.. Do you know if any of those performances were filmed? Mick Fleetwood once mentioned that it was a shame that very little film of the Earl Vincent style shows has ever surfaced. I am sure that many would like to have been there to see you rockin the house the way you could, but with the lack of film from this period, we can only imagine.

Best Regards,

Evan

here is another one
 

Dear Jeremy

Regarding "Stranger Blues"

I really like your presentation of this song. What was your influence for this one. I have seen Brownie and Sonny doing it and I like the way they do it but you seem to take it in a slightly different direction. Who inspired you for your version?

vinnie c

I'm fine as well, thanks.
 

Actually I didn't think I was asking the 20,000th question, that would be "Why did you leave Fleetwood Mac on a moments notice?"

If you want to compare this to Newman/Woodward, Scotty Moore, and Muddy Waters, the above is the first question they would ask you. So is that question less grating to you than one about what Peter Green could've been without drugs? I have to admit, you caught me off-guard with that response. Well done! :thumbsup:

You appeared to be very open in the "Man of the World" documentary about the subject. You answered Peter Green related questions on this forum's Q&A ten years ago. I guess I struck a nerve, no problem. Hypothetical questions aren't your thing, that's fine.


If you want to know my initial question before I changed it was at the 30,000th level. "Why did you feel you could not support the band as a guitarist during Peter's songs?" How original, I know. I've read you answer, cheers.

About Stranger Blues
 

Elmore James' version, and recently when performing it , mixed with his version of Rollin' n' Tumblin' because of its interesting latin rythm (both recorded in 1960 or thereabouts).

To qualify...
 

Hi again Slipkid. Just to clarify, it's not that I never want to answer questions about Pete, I hope you understand! As you said, I've done interviews and spoken freely about him. I even got together with Mick and John in Hawaii for the interviews for the Man of the World doc. And they took hours of footage, by the way, a lot of it wasn't used!
Although I hope I don't have to much if any more of those, my reaction was more in the context of this blog being Viv Fox's question to the Ledgies.

About not playing regular back up guitar behind Pete? I just didn't feel confident enough, even though he asked me to.

An answer!!
 

So, to answer your question, Viv. I have stated in many interviews that my decision was nothing to do with them as people or friends. I know it was by far not the best way to have done it, but I don't think I could have made the break unless it was that drastic.
I asked God many times over the following years to give them back fame and fortune that would far surpass what they had ever had or lost. Within three or four years they were the biggest band in the world, with no help from me but my prayers.
Hope that answers your question sufficiently, Viv!

Dear Jeremy,
That was a very touching and beautiful answer to my question.
Again, tonight while doing laundry, I wondered why you were answering all the other questions and not mine, and again you were answering me at the same time I was thinking about you.
Also have you noticed how many people have read this thread since I asked you? It's so nice to see all the interest in your career, which is thanks to the fact that you were once a member of Fleetwood Mac.
You may have also noticed myself and other members have posted various articles and interviews and concert reviews of your recent performances as well?

On behalf of myself and everyone here I would like to thank you for gracing us with your presence. I consider it a great honor conversing with you!


All My Respect, Viv

Did you make any friends on the "Hippie Ballroom" circuit?
 

Jeremy,

While you were in FM, did you get along with the British band clique? Or did you make friends with some American band members? I know about Janis, are there others? I should've asked this question several days ago.

Hi Jeremy, it's great to read your answers to these questions, straight from the horse's mouth :)

I have a question about something I read somewhere a while ago - in a book, I think. Did Danny have a bit of a "get-together" with Janis Joplin at one point? I read that he was a bit intimidated by her, and you and the rest of the boys thought it was hilarious. I always thought it was pretty interesting but of course it may have been exaggerated or just made up. Do you remember anything about that? Cheers :)

Actually if I was to ask Jeremy Spencer one question it would be, are we going to get a new album soon????

memorable?
 

There were some places that were more inspiring to play than others in Fleetwood Mac because of the audiences.
Recently, I have thoroughly enjoyed playing in Norway because of their blues appreciation.
Fitzgeralds in Chicago, Bamfest in Wiconsin and Suwalki in Poland last year were a blast, and recently Reggie's in Chicago and Callahan's in Detroit.
Even though I don't strictly or even consciously 'play to please', it largely depends on the audiences; it's always good when they're appreciative.

new album?
 

The only thing in the works is a possible release of the live show from Sliperihallen in Norway two years ago. It is proposed to go out on the Bluestown label for Scandinavian distribution. Glad you're interested, Chriskisn!

Always interested! Let us know if the album does go ahead, there are those of us on here that will scour the net trying to find a copy!

Yes, lots of us here are interested!

Hey Ledgies! Strike while the iron is hot! You've got Jeremy's attention so let's see the questions.

Hi Jeremy! :wavey:

One question from me:
When the three songwriters in Fleetwood Mac (You, Danny and Peter) had written a new song, how did you present it to the rest of the band?
Did you use to bring a home made demo? Or did you play it yourself alone for the
others to listen to?

And what about the arrangement of the songs? Was it a collective process with input from all member, or had the songwriter usually worked it all out before presenting it to the rest of the band?

All the best,
Daniel

Hello Jeremy,

I realize the unfairness in asking you to recall events of forty years earlier, but I was curious if you have any recollection of approximately when 'Teenage Darlin'' was added to the set lists?

The first available full performance of the number currently available is from a January 1970 show at the Fillmore West -

However (there is always an however...), during a show from Den Haag from February 28th 1969, (it is in circulation as being from April of that year but that is incorrect), after a terrific version of 'Blue Suede Shoes', John McVie seems to be playing the bass line of 'Teenage Darling' as the audience wildly applauds that last number.

'Teenage Darling' does not get played, the next song is 'Twist and Shout', (which also remains unheard again until that same 1970 show at the Fillmore)

Would you remember if 'Teenage Darling' was being played as early as February of '69, or was it not introduced until much later?

Again, perfectly understandable if you do not remember - just an itch I was hoping you might be able to scratch



thanks

Dear Jeremy,

as I understand it, reading some of your interviews, you didn't like most of the music of FM's contemporaries, Are there any exceptions from that era that you like to listen to?

Re Teenage Darlin'
 

I could have played this number as early as February 69. Depends on when my first solo album was released. I forget exactly. I would have performed it after that.

re contemporaries
 

True, Karl. Although I earnestly desired some, I was hard pressed to find anything current I liked, ( and we were handed stacks of releases for free from the record labels!). That's why I went for the 50's.
I liked Neil Young's 'After the Goldrush', however, and some contemporary country stuff from that time, but that music was anathema to the hippie movement! Merle Haggard, Don Gibson and Loretta Lynn etc!

Hi Jeremy! One question only.........if you were asked, would you rejoin Fleetwood Mac now?

would I?...
 

If I was asked? No.

Better still, how about joining the Mick Fleetwood Blues Band...now that I would want to see!

It wouldn't be that much different...
 

Because I would be more or less obliged to tread mostly old ground.

Hola Jeremy!

Listened to wat i can of your recent material and from what i´ve heard i prefer it to your stuff with FM. Your obvious passion still shines through but i´m hearing a lot more sophistication for want of a better word....so im looking forward for anything new coming.

Well my question if poss, did you ever get the chance to jam with jimi hendrix or clapton? :D

Music to my ears, Manastrat!
 

What better compliment can you pay to a musician in his early sixties who feels his best is yet to come?
To answer your question, I never jammed with Jimi, but after playing at a London press conference in 67, he came up to me and told me I had the right thing for Elmore James that other cats didn't. That was quite the encouragement! Eric? Pete was jamming with him at a rehearsal in Boston and he asked me if I wanted to join in. I declined out of fear and intimidation, and Joe Walsh took my place!
Anyway, thanks,
Jeremy.

Awesome!
 

Cheers Jeremy, awesome to have questions answered by a genuine legend of blues!

Im feeling cheeky and i would like you to have a listen to some songs i made if you can get the chance :thumbsup:
http://www.reverbnation.com/leewymer