Mike Campbell and Neil Finn have joined Fleetwood Mac
 

Move along please ladies and gentlemen, nothing to see here...

1) I'm disappointed Billy Burnette and Rick Vito weren't invited back, but I thought, they're not exactly young blood so it kind of makes sense. But then...

2) FM involved Mike Campbell and Neil Finn to join instead, and they're not exactly young blood either!

I wasn't expecting Harry Styles or Adam Levine, but yeah, I was thinking someone a little younger. Oh well!

Maybe we'll get to hear As Long As You Follow live now! Seriously, the only positive thing out of this is that we'll get to hear more Stevie and Christine material live. Brown Eyes, Straight Back, As Long As You Follow, Freedom, Save Me, Isn't It Midnight, and That's Alright would be awesome additions to the set.

They might feel like the need to play it even safer since Lindsey won't be there. I hope you're right, but I have a feeling they'll play a set similar to the Lindseyless Tango tour, which didn't have any surprises or deep cuts.

Kevin

I think the reason they were invited wasn't the newness factor nor the need to drawn younger people in, after all at this stage of their career they don't have to prove anything of the sort and in any case if the matter was the money then they would have kept Lindsey.
However how they changed their official profile I guess we'll be getting a lot of Rumours as always plus a lot of Early Fleetwood Mac too:

Unless Fleetwood Mac makes an official statement that Lindsey Buckingham has separated from the band and Mike Campbell and Neil Finn have joined, speculation remains speculation.

At the present, neither Fleetwood Mac, Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, nor Stevie Nicks have made an official statement through their websites and social media.

Neil Finn, through Facebook and Twitter, claims he has joined Fleetwood Mac.

Im hoping for a different set list

It would be great to hear some of these songs

Brown Eyes, Straight Back, As Long As You Follow, All over again, Save Me, Isn't It Midnight, and That's Alright and some of the 60's hits like Man Of The World, Stop messin around, Oh Well, Hypnotized, I Loved Another Woman, Rattlesnake Shake, need your love so bad, green manalishi

If even 3 or 4 of these songs were included, i would buy tickets!!

You know what, part of me still feels this may all be a joke and in my heart of heart I'm still waiting for a late April Fool's announcement.
However I have to say that the chances of this being true are increasing.

I just changed Fleetwood Mac's Wikipedia page to reflect the fact that it is now a British-American-New Zealand band.

Isn't that weird?

Rolling Stone has reported the speculation as breaking news. Prior to the speculation and in recent years, Rolling Stone has lost almost all credibility in reporting solely on music news. When it focuses on everything not related to music, I do not waste my time reading its garbage.

When something official happens, I will comment.

Wikipedia is fun to read when its information is legitimate. It cannot be considered a legitimate source of information.

Never seen The Mac live, was expecting to miss them when they came to the UK for a final tour, just too expensive for a static setlist. No apologies, i love the band but ticket prices for all acts just too high.

I love Crowded House/Split Enz, seen Neil live before, solo, not with the band. And have 3 of the (now getting expensive) Crowded House deluxe editions due to arrive this week.

I love Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, saw them live in London 5 years ago. Pretty sure i was sat next to a relative of Mike Campbells during the show at the Albert Hall as the two of them kept communicating to each other.

The fact both are joining has made me more interested in the tour - that feels wrong to admit, Mr Fleetwood sure is trying to get cash from my wallet. Will see what the fallout from this news is over the coming days but as 2 new recruits to The Mac i cant think of anyone better. Time will tell.

That's true, part of the reason why I was still a bit sceptic is the new Fleetwood Mac logo I posted above, seeing the Penguin tending his ear as to hear the rumours seemed too much ironic; but the thing that makes me doubt is that there still hasn't been any retraction from any part, and I think the more time passes the more unlikely it will happen.

First, you cannot retract anything if you have not submitted anything.

Second, I have read about Fleetwood Mac wanting to tour and Lindsey wanting to release new albums solo and with the band. If I were Lindsey wanting to work on a Fleetwood Mac project, I would be in the studio working on a new album rather than touring with nothing new to promote. If I were not in the mood to tour, I would request a hiatus to do what I want to do and rejoin in the future.

Yes, I should have written "denial", sorry but English isn't my first language.
And yes, that's what I also think and wrote in the other thread, Lindsey might be taking his time off for his solo career just like Stevie and everyone in the web went ballistic.

Hi Dragon, I understand your reticence completely, but I don't think there's any way back now. Neil Finn is a fine musician and I like his work a lot, but I so wish this wasn't happening.

You might want to check Neil Finn's website and his twitter, which I did before making my amendment. Somebody else had already included him in the body of the text, so it felt OK to do make the amendment.

http://www.neilfinn.com/news/

https://twitter.com/NeilFinn



Sorry, don't know how to embed this.


Tweets
Tweets
Tweets, current page.
Tweets & replies Media



neil mullane finn
‏
Verified account

@NeilFinn
3h
3 hours ago


More
Snow warnings for parts of the country, the mystery of Stonehenge solved and yes I’ve joined Fleetwood Mac
‏

Although someone's changed it back now...

Oh, I can't be bothered with it all. I'm too old for Wikipedia edit wars. There are more important things in my life than Fleetwood Mac...

Although I was bummed out to read LB was fired from the band, I'm actually intrigued to see what Mike Campbell and Neil Finn bring to the Mac. And I do feel a lot of sympathy for LB super fans, who feel understandably outraged and hurt. I loved Behind the Mask so I don't agree that LB was the ONLY thing that made them good. If you believe that, then you're not being realistic.

FM and Rumours are incredible albums, but I've always felt Tusk was when LB really took the reins, and that album took 25 years to be appreciated. Mirage and Tango were ok but not incredible albums, for a variety of different reasons. As Long As You Follow was as good as anything the Rumours crew did, and LB had nothing to do with that song, so I know FM will kick butt on this tour.

Go Your Own Way will probably be the only LB song they sing... along with Blue Letter and Crystal, maybe. I could see Neil Finn singing I Know I'm Not Wrong and or Second Hand News, though.

I don't see the band doing any Lindsey songs period, not even Go Your Own Way. Lindsey did not mind in 1987 because he left on his own accord. It would be pathetic to try to replace Lindsey with doing Lindsey songs. How pathetic. They will move in a new direction. I would be against it but Stevie will want to do a Heartbreaker song. The whole thing irks me so no more comments from me.

I agree with you that its rude and weird Billy and Rick were not called. That would be something and they could have explored old music. Mike plays nothing like Lindsey. Mike plays with an edge but its a shame the tour will not include Hold Me and Isnt It Midnight - both Lindsey/Christine masterpieces

I think he was the most vision-oriented member of the band. Stevie and Mick are a little all over the place and Christine and John are the opposite, very focused, so I think Lindsey is the one who often steers the ship so to speak. I'm mostly there to see Stevie but even I have to admit, at Fleetwood Mac shows, Lindsey is the lifeblood of the group. His energy sets the tone for the show.

Would you feel the same if they got a new chick singer in and she sang Dreams, Sara, Landslide, Gypsy? I bet not.

RIGHT ON AND WELL SPOKEN! This is an outrage!

That's kind of why I posted my comments on the post-Rumours board, since I understand Lindsey superfans are upset, angry, disappointed, etc. But since we now know LB won't be on the tour, I'm not going to feel bad that I'm interested in what the latest version of FM does, or hope that they do well. I was a big fan of FM when LB was in the band, and I was a big fan of FM when he wasn't.

They’re doing GYOW, just as they did “Don’t Stop” without Christine. Foregone conclusion.

Why not? They did IIM when Billy and Rick were in the band.

I had zero issues with Bekka Bramlett singing Christine’s and Stevie’s songs. She did them in a very different style and had an amazing chemistry as a singer and performer with Billy Burnette. I just wish they would have done more new songs.

sorry, to me if you bring in new members but you don't do new music with them, you are just a cover band. Imagine if when Stevie and Lindsey joined they were told they had to just perform Peter Green's and Bob Welch's best songs, and that's it? Come on.:eek:

I had lots of issues with it. That's a cover band. Do new material. Hire people to actually add new things to the band. That's what they did when Stevie and Lindsey joined. They brought BN music with them.

You missed my point Steve
I agree they will do Don't Stop
However I will bet the band will not do any Lindsey songs. He was fired. It would be so strange. Lindsey worked on Tango and the band was promoting it so of course they did songs from the album.
Its just my bet if you want to place it. It just would be so pathetic of trying to replace Lindsey vocally on his own songs. There is enough material to not sound like a cover band.
This is very different. Stevie, Lindsey, and Christine all left the band. None of them were fired...until now. I was looking forward to Buckingham/Nicks songs. I don't think we will see any of those either. We will get Oh Well maybe even Black Magic Woman and Stand Back and a Heartbreaker song.

I'll take that bet.:o

If they had no intention of replacing Lindsey vocally, why on earth would they bring in Neil Finn? Mike Campbell can handle (or TRY to handle!) LB's guitar work; Finn is obviously there to handle LB's vocals. Why would he be needed if they weren't planning to perform GYOW, The Chain, and maybe even I'm So Afraid, among others? Plus, if Campbell's going to be given a chance to shine, he has to perform some of LB's solos, which are mostly found in LB tunes.

I predict a minimum of four LB-lead-vocal tunes on this upcoming tour, with Finn handling said vocals.

If Go Your Own Way can be used for an asthma commercial, I think the band will feel comfortable performing it live without Lindsey.

Blue Letter was written by the Curtis Brothers, so that song makes sense. Crystal has that Don't Dream It's Over kind of vibe and was written by SN, so that would be a cool choice and pleasant surprise. Tusk is another possibility, since CM and SN sing so much on it, anyway. The Chain would be fine, and Hold Me might be another possibility. Sentimental Lady? That would be incredible!

After having thought about this some more, it could lead to some wonderful set lists
After being board stupid about the last few tours with the boring set lists
maybe this will change!!

As Long As You Follow
All Over Again
Id rather go blind
Oh Well
I loved another woman
stop messin around
hold me
skies the limit
rattlesnake shake
man of the world
isnt it midnight
love that burns
angel
sisters of the moon

I would pay money to see the older hits and some deep cuts as well as the known hits

Ha ha
Some of you are insane (teasing ;) )
No new guitarist wants to try to fill Lindsey's shows. No way in hell they are doing I'm So Afraid. That is a Lindsey staple that only he can do. No one in their right mind would want to do it either. This time I bet they may not even do GYOW. Lindsey could ask they not perform it this time. Things are really bad now.

The Chain is a group sing along written by everyone. Its not really a Lindsey song so that I see them doing. The new guys will do classic (pre Lindsey) Mac songs. Maybe Blue Letter like in 1987.
I am trying to see what we can bet. If I am wrong and they perform Lindsey songs, I have to come back to this thread and shame myself.
If you guys are wrong, you must do the same ;)



Now that its been one day to get over this Lindsey debacle I can say another thing.
This Crowded House guy sucks. I have no idea about his guitar skills but I hate his weak and wavering voice. For the love of God, those who love classic rock but hate the Mac because they are too wimpy. How about a man's voice as a singer?
Just like Lindsey's critique of Billy and Rick. You cant replace me so why try. Go in another direction. Gosh his voice is nails down a chalk board IMHO.

Hmmm, upon further review... I think I have to agree about "I'm So Afraid." That is a very Lindsey song, and even though Campbell would give it the ol' college try, it probably won't happen. So the bet will be that they do GYOW, then? I'm confident they'll do that one. Not 100% but it seems more likely than not to me.

Neil Finn sucks?!? Blasphemy! ;) I've been a big fan of his since his Enz days - but I've always leaned toward the softer side of rock for the most part. Surely you agree that "I Got You" is a classic tune!...? I'm not sure he'll fit into the Mac sound, though. And I kinda saw he and LB as similar musical forces - each blazing their own unique path, seeing themselves as avant-garde musical Renaissance Men. Which is why I find this move puzzling for Finn - he's never been a "go for the cash-grab" kinda guy. Much like LB, after Crowded House's huge debut album, Finn opted for a much darker, very different sounding follow-up, instead of just recording CHII (much like Tusk was certainly not Rumours II). I think he'll do a good job... but will we angry fans accept him? Judging from the reactions of these first 24 hours, maybe not.

Well, the first few days of the announcement are understandably the hardest, but things will balance out a bit as time goes on. It's not Neil's fault LB is out of FM, and I'm giving him a chance.

This is reminiscent of 30 years ago with Rick and Billy and now it's taking two (again) to replace Lindsey. Just as when Chicago lost Terry Kath 40 years ago and one of rocks's all time greatest guitarists (GOAT???) it took two to replace him and the band was NEVER the same. Nor will FM be the same (as they were not in the 80s) with LB being booted by Mick et al. Seems to me that someone is making rash decisions in their waning years.

In response to Newzchspy

I respect your opinion

But in my view the addition of Rick & Billy were excellent.
The set list was more varied than whenever LB is involved.

I enjoyed there time in FM

I think, from the 1980 Tusk tour to 2016, there were always two guitarists playing live when Lindsey was in the band... one was playing near the back so as not to take the focus off of Lindsey. When he left in 1987, FM just decided to hire two guitarists because they wanted to keep their album more like their live sound. FM could have just hired Billy Burnette for the album and then brought on a studio musician to play live like they did for Lindsey.

I think this deserves its own thread but why do you think Rick and Billy were not asked to come back to the band? They are friends. Rick plays with Stevie and Mick. Billy plays with Mick and they are all friends. They even know the songs.

Do they consider them a dud for their careers?

I mean really. They just need someone to play on a tour. Its surprising they don't go for what they know. I feel Billy's frustration and pain. Its rejection.

I get Mike Campbell. Stevie wants to keep the Heartbreakers relevant and alive. But just imagine if Tom Petty did not die. Mike would not have been considered.

Why do you think they did not get the call. I think Todd Sharpe should have been called since he should have be called in 1987 ;)

I don't think the band considered BB and RV duds, but they clearly didn't generate the excitement or interest level the label wanted. Behind the Mask went Gold but Save Me just cracked the top 40 singles. My guess is, BB was in the running to be invited back, but they decided to go with Neil instead, as it would generate more media interest, plus maybe bring along some of his fans to the Mac.

Boy, I would love to know who else was in the running. I'm sure FM would have done anything they could to get Tom Petty to join! Not saying he would have, but you gotta think they would have wanted him.

Don Henley did an interview for Musician magazine or some music magazine in 1984 when his solo album was released. There was talk about joining former Eagles and Mac members together to form some band. Lindsey worked with Don and they were good friends. Don wanted Lindsey in the band. They even had a name for the potential band but I forget it. It was more pipe dream talk though. At the time the Mac was pretty much a dead band with nothing new in sight.

Behind the Mask was considered a major flop for the band. It struggled to even go Gold for awhile. One minor hit from the album was not their standard at all. They had high hopes but the music industry was changing back then too. Because of the lack of commercial success led to the temporary demise of the band after the album's release. If the album had been a huge success who knows what would have happened. But everything happens for a reason. This decline led to the Dance later and the reunion of the Rumours lineup.

I just thought of a theory. Because Stevie no doubt wanted to tour with Campbell he was first pick. Maybe they thought if they could not pick both Rick and Billy it would be unfair to just pick one.

I think it's in poor taste to perform Lindsey's songs, especially given the personal nature of their content and the circumstances (whatever they may be) of his current departure.

I would like to see a different set list than we are used to - without The Chain, even - focused on more rarities and older gems. Probably not going to happen but I feel this is more respectful than being relegated to what fans have already deemed to be a cover band.

Considering what just happened, I think it's in poor taste to go onstage and perform "(NEVER BREAK) THE CHAIN" right now. It's almost hypocritical.