New Mick Interview
 

Mick was a guest on the debut episode of Volume West on Sirius XM Channel 106. It's on demand on the Sirius XM app too.

The interview doesn't break any new information on what went down with Lindsey but Mick says that rehearsals start in August. He said he was recently with Stevie and Mike Campbell and after they ran through all the songs they want to play - including Stevie "threatening" to sing "Black Magic Woman" - they think the show may run close to 3 hours. He also said they are gonna try to work up a couple new songs - he referred to them as "calling cards" - to release before the tour.

That's interesting. Damn, now I'm rethinking going to the show!

My prediction is right on. I predicted this months ago that the band would play one or 2 "new" songs but never record them just so they can "prove" to the world this is a new band and demand everyone take them seriously.
Well then Mick, record a freaking album then! Oh wait that's right, your star wont record music anymore because it does not sell. Oh wait, she meant that only when Lindsey was there.
Give me a break. They don't want to sound like a Fleetwood Mac cover band so these corny new songs no one will hear again!

There is a greater likelihood we all get bit by dinosaurs before any incarnation of FM records new music

I think a song or two off, an EP, etc is possible. But an actual album? Not gonna happen.

I’m still 50-50.

If they could do something in a few months, tops, Stevie might be able to get on board. The less time, money, and drama it takes to make an album, the more likely Stevie will be to agree to participate.

A dressed-up old demo would be easy for Stevie. Even a co-write wouldn't take too much effort if Campbell had an instrumental that she could match up with a poem she already had laying around. All that kind of co-write would require would be some tweaking, and she's used that method before. A co-write would certainly show a new "cohesion" within the band.

I would think Lindsey would be very angry if an album comes out from the Mac. I would be very angry. I wonder how long Chris and John are going to stay. I thought I read somewhere John wanted to retire and Christine didn't stay too long after the Behind the Mask album and tour. I read she didn't think Fleetwood Mac was the same without Lindsey. She recorded on Time but that album is a mess.

If Stevie records, then for sure the problem is between her and Lindsey. What a shame.

I’m sure he would/will be. However, he was the problem as far as Stevie was concerned. Whatever. He doesn’t have to compromise anymore.

He said he didn’t want to do tours that were as extensive as the last tour anymore.

She decided to retire from touring to be closer to her family after her father died while she was on the Behind the Mask tour.

She indeed felt that way about Lindsey, but it was largely the acrimony between her and Dave Mason that made her check out of the band. Billy Burnette sang and had a co-write on her 2004 album, so I think she might have hung around a little longer under different circumstances. But, even during The Dance, she was clearly ready to call it a day.

I think it’s too early to draw parallels. Neil and Mike are on a very different level than Billy and Rick, so it could actually work.

In recent years Stevie has gone into studios to perform songs on other artists’ albums so I think she will do it if it feels right to her. And we know she has a ton of old material she can dust off if she is not ready to record something new. Time will tell.

I just listened to this softball interview. No mention of Lindsey except Mick saying he has 'huge kudos of respect for Lindsey now and into the future but we needed a change'. Rehearsal starts in August but a little earlier for him and John with the guitar players. He praised Mike's production ability and his songwriting. Mick didn't realize how much Mike had written over the years. 50 years of FM for him and John so they want to revisit the early blues days and "jam things out a little bit more here and there".

I'd have to listen again because he rambles, but he said there was a 'team huddle' where they weren't sure they should continue but once they decided to go forward they had to decide who to get. Then something about 'a lot of thought for Neil' after acknowledging they had Mike. I swear he uses 4-6 extra words for every 1 word that would suffice.

What a Benedict Arnold.

I think any hardcore fan of the Rumours 5 will be angry. The fact that, allegedly 1 person has the ability to dictate how a band works, operates and actually, DOES THEIR JOBS--and his/her name isn't on the front door--ridiculous. But I've long said, these people don't operate in a reality based world.

Of course they don’t. They’re a rock band. Isn’t that kind of the point?

yes especially when you watch that video of the 'making of' what became the BuckVie record..... the hugging and "love you man" between LB and Mick.....:distress:

I just reread this--that line is even more appalling. I am not even sure how to comprehend that. "We plan on calling him up in the future to bail our a$$es out of a sling." And he's thrown change into the vernacular now--I thought Lindsey wasn't touring because of scheduling conflicts--now it's a change. Are we getting closer to the truth.

IA. Out of all the BS that this band has spewed over the years this whole ordeal has hands down the most silly statements after another. I doubt Lindsey will ever want to work with them again, his pride is too much for that, but Mick will probably always want to turn to him when he's desperate. I remember I read somewhere when Mick talked about that period in the 90s after Time when he and John broke up the band, he was saying how it was such a bad time for him and then (conveniently) who was the person he decided to reach out to? Lindsey! He talked about how he wrote to him and they talked for a bit and shortly after Lindsey brought him and John out to do his solo album and they spent time together and had some good talks and then we all know how that turned out :rolleyes:

I actually think the PTSD for me is kicking in now. At first I was like WTF, but acknowledged this is classic FM. But the narrative just didn't hold, given everything the Rumours 5 have said over the last few years. And then--the rationale behind it didn't add up. And then the botched press, and now the backpedaling and changing the story. I am so sad for this incarnation, especially if this truly winds up being their farewell tour. No disrespect to Mike or Neil--they aren't going to be able to hold this together for me. I have a certain level of expectation when I go to an FM show--and it's not Neil Finn singing GYOW and leading off the "Chain" (they are beyond moronic to include this song--but they will) and it's not Mike Campbell playing Landslide with Stevie. And before anyone jumps on me--Stevie butchered "Don't Stop" when she sang Christine's part for all those years Christine was gone, and Lindsey and Stevie collectively made my ears bleed before they "smartly" decided to pull "Say You Love Me". I imagine the fans of FM pre BN felt the same way, and I respect that enormously. --but social media didn't exist in those days and has a strong influence on how people perceive music, and this iteration and the situation that got us here seems far more sinister and nasty.

After reading your response I tried to listen again. I say try cause I didn't get far. He talks and talks--I can only take so much. Here's a few more excerpts:

Something about "these 2 lovely gentlemen, their heritage, their background and this being part of the show". About the setlist: "we're all exchanging lists, emailing madly back and forth". Mike has a home in Kauai so Mick will visit.

"The band is peppered with changes, without going into the ups and downs and all the details of where we ended up we're positive about what were doing and blessed with 2 new members". Then "with LB departing" and insert the kudos comment here.

There's no way to post a link. Even when I download the interview it will only download in the siriusxm app. The phone app is available in google play store. It's free with a 30 day trial subscription. Never say never but I don't think I could subject myself to listening again. The part that was most intriguing to me was when he talked about the 'team huddle/deciding to move forward/choosing members' but I can't stomach it right now. Even listening yesterday I could barely follow it. Maybe I could handle it if i was a courtroom reporter---idk.

The whole thing pisses me off

Don't torture yourself! LOL And the team huddle.....sans Christine I am sure?

Mick is such a giant turd. I have lost ALL respect for this a hole.

Except the timeline doesn’t check out. Disregarding that Lindsey made a cameo on “Time,” it was initially announced in Feb. 1996, four months after “Time” was released, that Mick was working on Lindsey’s album. I actually learned from Dave Mason’s bass player about the breakup of Fleetwood Mac on March 30, 1996 and broke it to the FM online community. And, about six weeks later, “Twisted” came out. It was a crazy whirlwind.

In any event let’s not completely lose perspective, here. Yes, Fleetwood Mac opened for CSN and did that tour with REO Speedwagon and Pat Benatar (all PRIOR to FM having an album out), but let’s not pretend that a guy who’s last big gig was opening for Tina Turner (for an album for which he made three videos and tour behind) somehow magically, selflessly rode in on his white horse to save Fleetwood Mac. They needed each other equally, and Stevie, too. The only way they could go forward was getting back together.

I'd like there to be four - one from each including Mike, although I imagine a Nicks/Campbell co-write could well be in the offing (there've been several on her albums).

I'm not sure how any of this contradicts what I was saying.
I'm well aware Lindsey needed them as much as they needed him and I never implied that he didn't.
But I'm saying that Mick said he reached out to Lindsey during that time and they had a lot of "important talks" and that's how Lindsey ended up bringing him and John out to play for his solo album which as we know eventually turned into the Dance. It was just something from an interview when he was explaining how the band got back together. If I can find the link I'll post it.

let's not pretend that FM and SN were not a laughing stock at the time. and they would have stayed that for a while if they didn't do the reunion.

LB was not commercially successful, but that is all. if he didn't do the reunion, he would have stayed non-commercial probably, same as he is now. he had his respect intact, as a songwriter, performer and a producer, all his show and album reviews were stellar, as well as he was extremely inspired and prolific at the time - he just needed that stuff to be released, and we know he tried to release that original Gift of Screws, several times.

if they didn't do a reunion, FM would not be in a RnR HOF now. but as far as new music, we would have had way more and better from Lindsey, and possibly Lindsey/Chris combo.

Was Stevie still considered a laughing stock at that time? I know she was ridiculed a lot around the Street Angel era but had it not passed yet?
But I actually see your point. I've always thought that as well. Lindsey wasn't commercially successful but he never really was a huge star anyways and he was still respected. Stevie on the other hand must've really felt the 'decline' so to speak. I feel for Stevie in that era. People said such cruel things about her and they had no idea of the addiction she was battling.

I'd say definitely not, she hadn't still totally returned to her former glory but she wasn't a laughingstock by that time; since 1996 she was sober and had slimmed down, had started generally working more making apparitions, participating in soundtracks and doing some shows here and there and the press started noticing. She was receiving all favorable articles and reviews even if they were still few in numbers.

She also quit smoking and started working with a vocal coach.

Were they a "Fleetwood Mac" cover band when Buckingham and Nicks came on to replace Welch? This band has changed many times.

Only in your head, perhaps. The key to "The Dance" was the entire band coming back together - it wouldn't have worked without Nicks or without Christine either.

I think there's a big difference between a change in their young careers (especially considering that they weren't even particularly well known in the US) when none of the various lineups had lasted more than a few years each and a change when they're all 70 years old and have broken apart the lineup that launched them into the crazy fame and success that made them iconic, produced most of their legendary songs and albums and has been definitive for the name 'Fleetwood Mac' for several decades.

:laugh: they didn't even exist in my head at the time. i couldn't care less about FM or any of its members in the 90s. and yeah, that's how "reunions" work - you gotta reunite everyone! :]

we are talking about who needed it and for what reasons, not who all was needed in order to do the reunion. as a LB fan, i'm saying i'd have much more music from him by now if he wasn't held back over and over by FM since that reunion. of course that's not something he'd agree with, that's just "only in my head"! ;)

Lindsey had few fans back then and probably even fewer now. I always thought the reunion was for him more than anyone else, to make a few bucks since he had not had any real income since Tango, and that was just from album sales not even the tour.

Nah it's all about Mick's obsession. The only reason Fleetwood Mac continues to exist is because Mick rallies them all together. John nearly bottled out round Tango time according to the first autobiography. Stevie needs Mac a lot less than vice versa and John's quite happy just yachting and watching Penguin progs on National Geographic I reckon.

But I do find it interesting that during his ten year period out of the band he only came up with one album whereas in the post SYW period we got three (plus BuckVie of course).

https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/30/b...-tomorrow.html

Several industry executives believe the current tour [1997] is more of a financial imperative for Mr. Fleetwood than for other members of the band. Though he declined to comment specifically on his net worth, he would say only half kidding, "I'm not broke if that's what you mean." Whereas in contrast, Mr. Buckingham is said to have held onto his money, and Ms. Nicks has earned income from hit solo albums and royalties for songs she wrote.

Nobody in Fleetwood Mac is ever in more dire financial straits than Mick Fleetwood, rest assured.

I figure it has to do with where he was in his personal life back then. I speculate that since he went the Family Man route, that part of his life has grounded him enough to be more productive than ever in his musical career.

Yes—when OOTC came out it was the culmination of many years of rediscovering his priorities and focusing on them. It took him a long time to get over working with FM, especially on the previous two albums. But once OOTC was released, he never seemed to slow down. He was already at work on new material when Mick intervened and coaxed him into a MAC reunion. And then, after SYW, he was really on fire, with no hindrances.

What’s so sad, however, is that once he eventually found his way back to the band that brought him to stardom and once he wanted to celebrate his affiliation with it through new music, Stevie kept blocking him. Rightly or wrongly, working with him seems to have traumatized her.

Not exactly accurate. They patched things up sometime during “Time” and Lindsey invited Mick to be a part of the original “Gift of Screws.”

To play devil’s advocate, Lindsey saw how the band was commercially struggling, as was he, and found a way to get Mick on board with his new music, probably knowing it would lead to a big Mac reunion, without looking desperate. I can’t believe he would bring on Mick without expecting it to lead to Fleetwood Mac.

I like that theory (isn’t this weird my ass!!!)

But t devil advocate your already advocated scenerio, He could’ve just finally wanted to have a real drummer play on his solo songs hence why his gift of Screws songs are far better then his previous 3 solo albums combined) and he’s not as sociable as Stevie, so he wasn’t going to look very far for a great drummer and bassist.

That's what's upsetting—Christine was an opportunity to herald great new music from that configuration of the band, and now it's blown for good. We wanted a Tusk-like triumph of experimentation and commercialism, a series of albums that would put the Mac back at the forefront of quirky, inventive rock. It was always a pipe dream anyway, but it felt like a stronger possibility with Christine's return than it had in two decades. The 1997 reunion felt like a long-term opportunity just flowering, and it got dashed when Chris quit just a year later. Her return created the same excitement about opportunities, but it too got dashed. People are angry and frustrated more over these hills and valleys than they would be if the band's trajectory were just straight down.