Neil Finn on joining FM: “Stevie wanted to do it exactly the way Lindsey would have"
 

Neil Finn on joining Fleetwood Mac: “Stevie wanted to do it exactly the way Lindsey would have.”

Crowded House leader Neil Finn speaks to MOJO about his surprise move to replace Lindsey Buckingham in Fleetwood Mac in 2018.

Neil Finn and Fleetwood Mac
By John Aizlewood | Updated5 Hours Ago


Drafted in as a teenager to join older brother Tim’s band, beloved New Zealand New Wavers Split Enz, before breaking America and Europe as leader of Crowded House, Neil Finn’s deep but accessible songwriting has carved out a unique place within the musical landscape over the past four decades, earning him famous admirers ranging from members of Radiohead and Pearl Jam to Elvis Costello and Mick Fleetwood. In this extract from our exclusive interview with Finn in the latest issue of MOJO, he discusses joining Fleetwood Mac in 2018 following the departure of Lindsey Buckingham…


Did joining Fleetwood Mac surprise you?

I was gobsmacked. I was 60 and I’d had a wonderfully diverse musical life when Mick called and said, “We’ve got rid of Lindsey, would you play with us?” I’d just done [2018 album] Lightsleeper with [Finn’s son]Liam so he had a vested interest in my not doing it, but he said, “Give it a shot,” so I auditioned.

What? Neil Finn auditioned?

It’s the only audition I’ve ever done. I went to Hawaii and Mick spent an hour telling me it wasn’t an audition, but it was. I was auditioning them too: I wasn’t sure it was the right thing, I was quite conflicted, but I liked the people and the welcome was universal.

What did you bring?

The naysayers said, “No Lindsey Buckingham, no Fleetwood Mac,” but I brought personality and the ability to sing with Stevie and Christine. I could never be capable of sounding like Lindsey but I put a similar intensity into his songs.

Have you had contact with Lindsey?

No, but I’d really like to have a dinner with him. There’s a lot of ill-will, but I don’t think he bears any towards me and I do think he had prior appreciation of the music I’d made. Hopefully, once he got over the massive disappointment, he’d have thought, “At least someone with something going for them is singing my songs.”

Who’s running Fleetwood Mac these days?

It doesn’t currently exist, but when I was there Mick carried the flag. He always has and he’s the heart and soul. Yet Stevie’s the leader in many ways, because Stevie wants it the way Stevie wants it and that’s the way it’ll be. She couldn’t bear to be in a band with Lindsey any more, but she still wanted to do it exactly the way he would have. It was more difficult for [Heartbreakers guitarist] Mike Campbell: she was really happy with the way it sounded between me and her, but she put a lot of pressure on Mike to be more like Lindsey. Sometimes Mike’s solos would go on and Stevie would get exhausted playing tambourine. She’d be, “****ing hell, Lindsey only did 12 bars!”

I feel like Bill Murray...:rolleyes:

we knew it but some did not want to believe it.

so Neil now spills the beans and offers insider verification of what Lindsey (and Brett) said happened, and complete refute of Stevie / Azoff (and band's "official" at the time) version.

In Stripes. :xoxo::sorry:

More like Bunny Breckinridge, if he were in GROUNDHOG DAY.

Its Groundhog Day around here again
:)

you guys went the wrong way with your discussion the first time so i had to fix! :]:cool::thumbsup::lol:

Yea, let's go with that. :xoxo::laugh::wavey:

Bumping for Elle.

Reading Neil’s comments, I believe it only furthers what a one-off line up to fulfill touring obligations the 2018-2019 Fleetwood Mac line up was. The hardcore fans got worked up, but in the end, everyone got paid, even Lindsey, and most of the public seemingly enjoyed the product enough to buy copious amounts of tickets.

One thing that has been somewhat disproven is that Mike and Neil were ever really part of a forward looking, ongoing entity. They were brought in to do a job, and they did that job. When the job was over, their roles ended, as they had no ties to the band’s legacy. If you look at any promotion for the band’s continued repackaging and rerelease efforts, it is Mick, Stevie, and Lindsey who promote those releases through their media and interviews, and most promotional pictures at places like Apple Music and Spotify now include only the Rumours Five, and some cases just the surviving Rumours four.

What has come into more clarity now is the fact that going back to early into the timeline of the revamped touring line up, the principals were not particularly satisfied with the ongoing Fleetwood Mac product.

I will cite and source multiple examples –

CBS December 2018 – Lindsey states Christine wrote to him “I had nothing to do with any of this and I believe deep in her heart of hearts, Stevie wants you to come home.”

Uncut November 2021 -Mike Campbell is quoted as saying it is difficult to play parts that I did not create. An example is the Pre-Chorus of Dreams. It is very specific to Lindsey’s creativity and his unique touch and feel. My playing style and certainly my touch are different, and it slightly alters the timing, and it can throw Stevie off, and when I am late, do I get a stare of disappointment. Gypsy is another song that we had to change the arrangement of to fit Neil and I, and I felt Stevie never really dug what we came up with.

You Tube Kyle Meridith With March 2022 – Mike Campbell states that “I am no longer with Fleetwood Mac and I think that ship has sailed for me”

People Magazine June 2022 – Christine states that “I’d always want Lindsey back, Mike and Neil were a cheerful couple, but Lindsey was missed.”

Mojo April 2023 – Neil states “Fleetwood Mac doesn’t exist.” He goes on to state “Stevie couldn’t stand to be in a band with Lindsey anymore, but she wanted everything to be done just the way he would have done it.” Additionally, Neil is quoted as saying “Stevie put a lot of pressure on Mike to be like Lindsey.”

Why the quotes? To lay out case that this was never a fully functioning new incarnation of the band, but two founding members along with two longtime members of the most successful incarnation of the band, aligned with a manager who represented the band, and individually its biggest star, trying to get through a tour that was already booked, by adding expensive hired professionals to appease that dominant draw in the band, the only member capable of bringing arena size crowds to the seats. What was learned was the band could absolutely continue to draw crowds, and make giant amounts of money, but it was not a completely satisfying project for many of the participants.

To add to your interview comments, Stevie said to Zane Lowe that FM wasn't going to cancel the 2018 tour because she and Lindsey had an argument, hence it was not a new band forming in the wake of Lindsey's firing to make an album, they were W-9s hired to play music on a tour. And she told Matty Healy in a 2020 interview that when it came time to fire Lindsey, Fleetwood Mac wasn't going to making music anymore anyway.

FM had an enormous amount of time to make new music before the tour, AND Stevie did not have a tour booked for 2020. The band could have jumped into making a new album in November of 2019. As Stevie said in her RollingStone 2018 about Lindsey wanting to take time in 2018 to work his solo career, "Why would I take a break after touring solo, once I stop something I jump right into something else?":laugh:

Conveniently left out this quote from Mick, I see:

“Stevie is going out touring, Lindsey -in the past- has been touring, Neil Finn -who’s still in Fleetwood Mac, Mike Campbell…They all get out and play.”

https://youtu.be/uRxC7reECws

That being said, who cares? Why does it matter if they were full members or hired hands? What changes because of it?

Beyond maybe “Oh Well” (which he played with the Heartbreakers), it’s not as if Campbell or Finn are out there cred flexing about having been in Fleetwood Mac.

If anything, they probably both laugh about it. A ringer is a ringer is a ringer.

LOL, what he actually said was “we didn’t break up, per se, but it’s an open question. I kind of think that might be a ship that’s sailed already, for me, but if something came up and I had a free schedule, and they had called me and wanted me to do anything, I would be there because I love those guys. Great people.”

ETA: He starts talking about Fleetwood Mac at the 18 minute mark.
https://youtu.be/peLVfKmpROY

I deleted John's latest post. He was making Steve look too smart and we can't have that.

JB - I respect and understand your need to delete my post. I stand by my words and the danger that Stephen presents to the existence of The Ledge, as in my opinion he is an active bully to contrary thought. But, as you have ruled, I will walk away defeated and overruled by you. Best to you and your nuanced opinions. I truly do respect all that you have done to elevate each of us as individuals, and as a community.

John, your words haven't had respect for anyone here in a long time. Each time you come in, you bully anyone that disagrees with you, and then tell us how horrible the rest of us mere fans are.

I deleted your post because you continually call member's names, let us know why you despise us, and then "RUN". You're welcome here, but why keep returning only to "stir the pot".

If you have a different opinion than SteveMac, it's fine. But, to project all that unnecessary name calling at him is a bit much. If he'd have disrespected you, I would have deleted his posts.

Ask Homie, I've deleted his in the past. And he privately yells at me. It's ok, I can't please everyone. But, you went way over the top.

Admittedly, I've had to apologize a few times because of my passion for the band and disdain for past members. So I'm not saying I'm above getting P*ssed..
I'm saying it's just your turn to get a comment deleted.

Let's carry on, respectfully. Please.

JB, please show me where I have been, over a long period of time, disrespectful to others? I forthwith, without delay, ask to see evidence of multiple disparaging posts, as you cite that this has been an ongoing problem. If you cannot show multiple posts where I've been disrespectful, then you must immediately delete your line about this being a long standing problem. If you do not, I will consider that you have purposely and willingly defamed me. I gently ask that you substantiate your claims. If you do not, then this will escalate. I truly respect you, but do not defame me without basis in order to protect your friends.

John Run... You are correct. I thought you were a different John. He always bashes the members and then states he's never coming back.

I apologize and stand corrected. Now may we carry on.... Respectfully... thanks...

JB, Jr., I have been posting on this account since 2001 and the original Ledge back to 1996. I have never had 1 strike against me. I finally had enough of a particular member who in my opinion has been allowed to carry on as a bully without consequence. I will carry on from here forward without malice or any ill intent. Thank you for your engagement and understanding.

John, my brain is definitely losing it. I remember of whom I was thinking of. It was not you. I'm sorry I called you out. I'm never afraid to admit when I'm wrong. It's why I'm so pretty. :lol:

As for the other issue, you can always block any member so you don't have to read their posts.

I guess “bully” means calling someone out for selectively curating and presenting a lot of information to create a narrative while knowingly omitting or misrepresenting facts that directly contradict that narrative.

Sure, it’s possible you somehow knew about the Kyle Meridith video but not Mick’s heavily quoted 2023 Grammy’s red carpet interview. However, I don’t believe that for a second.

Steve/John... You guys want to debate this, it's fine.

Just please ease up on the sarcasm, baiting, etc.
I don't ask for much.

To quote a wise old lady, "nothing ever changes, you know it doesn't..."

We are good. Move forward, my introspective and intuitive Ledge friend.

This really is the hill you're prepared to die on, isn't it... I mean c'mon you're going to use a comment from Mick!! Mick, of all people to justify your point?

The picture is pretty clear by this point, everything that came out of the band's mouth was pure BS. Let's all reflect back on the CBS interview and Christine's body language. Stevie holding on to John for dear life. It was all crap.

Now I'm imagining you are going to respond with something along the lines of... "The band has always had revolving line-up" "Lindsey sealed his fate with his comments about the Classic East/West shows." yada yada yada. BORING!

The facts are evident, Lindsey was and has always been, since 1975, the musical director of this band. In the studio and on stage. Stevie and Mick took away his legacy and his contribution from the band he has poured his life's work into. The band's fans and Lindsey's fans have every bloody right to feel pissed off to this day.

Why would Mick lie about who he considers to still be in a band he just got done saying is probably over in wake of Christine’s death?

Also, Mike Campbell didn’t just say “that ship has sailed.” That was a clickbait headline for something that was all of a minute late into a twenty minute interview. Mike provided much more nuance to his answer and left the door open to working with Fleetwood Mac again. If a point is going to be referenced, it should be done so accurately.

Regardless, I still don’t see why it matters whether Neil and Mike were signatories or contracted players. They were trotted out as Neil Finn of Split Enz and Crowded House and Mike Campbell of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, the band played “I Got You,” “Don’t Dream It’s Over,” and “Free Fallin’,” and they were featured on merch.

Furthermore, since it’s usually the next talking point, I also don’t see why it matters that they didn’t make an album. Even if they had and it was a major critical and commercial success, the primary relevance of Neil and Mike as it pertains to the Fleetwood Mac story would be as the guys who replaced Lindsey Buckingham in the band’s twilight. To put it a different way, Billy Burnette and Rick Vito made an album with Fleetwood Mac and are only remembered for replacing Lindsey Buckingham in the late ‘80s.

That would have nothing to do with this discussion.

The one hill I WILL die on is that the Fleetwood Mac story is that of Mick, John, and Christine. Peter, Lindsey, Stevie, etc. were characters in that story, some way more important than others, but Mick, John, and Christine were the protagonists. They were there at the beginning (albeit not in the band together) and they were able to finish the story together.

I didn’t like how it ended with Lindsey. I always said I was disappointed that the classic lineup wasn’t going to ride off into the sunset together. That said, I wasn’t going to lose my objectivity about him or them. They lied, kind of like when he said “it felt like a duet album.” Those BS answers came from some pinhead in legal and/or management telling them what to say. And, while I feel for Lindsey, something that was a cash grab tour from the outset wasn’t going to define or change his legacy with the band.

Dysfunctional band has dysfunctional ending. Sounds about right. Life goes on.

I would quibble with that statement and say "they are the guys who replaced Lindsey Buckingham on the final FM tour". I don't think they replaced him in the band because other than basically playing his parts on the road (and not perfectly apparently) they didn't contribute anything significant at all to the band or its legacy and other than in the most technical sense were not actual members of the band (regardless of whatever marketing, face-saving bulls&t Mick said/says)

Alas that part does seem predictable.

I suppose it's only right that a Fleetwood Mac fan board should be full of squabbling, grudges and outright bitching.

It's what they would want.

Did he say she wrote that? I remember the "I had nothing to do...", don't know if it was from the same source, but it was followed with "...I'm buying a house so sorry" or something like that. Not with a statement about Stevie.

According to LB, she did write both of those things.

Still LAME.

"If there's no Lindsey, there's no me!" was the ONLY proper response. And the problem would've been solved.

You're as lame as those wilted roses you laid at her feet. :laugh:

We’ve had some doozies.

They were about as wilted as your downstairs!!!:woohoo::wavey:

And to rehash, of course I'll never know whether she got them or not. She left the stage with them still there, and I got to talk to her assistant, as she was gathering her things, and told her that I'd been her biggest fan since I was 13, and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take these backstage and give them to her. She took them backstage when I asked, but again, I'll never know the outcome.

I can say, that Christine never called or emailed me(both were in the card I included).:)

don't stare at my stairs!!!

This black rose is for all of you who don’t have any energy!

Unless you trim that thing, I'm not!!!!

Ya'll know how to take any topic and turn it into a cesspool.

https://media.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2l...LNNm/giphy.gif

Didn't they make their move whilst she was enroute/arrived back in London?

Yes, but Homie believes everything without fact checking. I mean he even believes Wendy. :laugh: