Is an album without Stevie possible to be released?
 

I know everyone's saying that if Stevie's not interested, they should just finish the album and release it without her, and I agree-- there's no use in having her if she doesn't want to be there and if the process will upset her.
However, I question whether or not they could release it without her. Meaning, would the record company even be interested in a Fleetwood Mac album if her name isn't there? BTM was kind of awkward without Lindsey and then of course Time was a disaster. She's the biggest star of the band and aside from how weird it would be to have there be a final album without her, they probably already think that they won't make much money off a new FM album and without Stevie it would make even less, so I wonder if they do get around to finishing the album, if they'll be able to release it.
I remember on Ken Caillait's tumblr blog last year, someone asked him if he thinks a new album will happen and he said no because the world of music is different today and so are they. He said that they might try but decide to not release it.

I don't think that FM can exist without Stevie. I love them and would buy the new album without Stevie, but that is just me as a longtime fan.

Nowadays bands/artists make the biggest money from touring. I doubt that any promoter would view the 4 remaining bandmembers as bookable for a world tour. It's like the Rolling Stones without Mick Jagger or Led Zeppelin without Robert Plant. It's just not happening.

I think it probably won't matter because the amount of time Fleetwood Mac spend working on albums before releasing them is biblical, and Stevie will have all the time to finish her little tour and make a second Songs From The Vaults, if she mantains the same timing and process schedule of the first, before contributing something to the album at the last minute.
This is particularly true since this could be the last album of the band and they will want to produce and polish the **** out of it. You also have to think that she isn't a musician for the band, so a late contribution won't slow much the process.

As much as I think Mick and Lindsey are the backbone behind the band, I feel a Fleetwood Mac album without Nicks' contribution would be a great shame. If Stevie did participate it would be the first studio album to feature the "Rumours" line-up since Tango In The Night in 1987.

I'm really hoping that there is one more studio album released with the "Rumours" line-up, including a tour to support the album, also featuring all five members.

Am I right in thinking that Stevie Nicks is definitely participating in the 2017 Fleetwood Mac world tour?

Christine said they're all on board for the 2017 tour. But imagine how awkward if the album never gets to be finished because Stevie won't contribute and it can't be released even though the rest of them want it and then they all get together on tour. Not gonna be a happy family.

Dreamsunwind, I posted a thread saying why I don't believe the record company would want to release a FLEETWOOD MAC album without Stevie Nicks being on it, and my opinion didn't go over too well. I won't rehash it, but I do agree with you that the record company would have some concerns. I also think the band does, too, which would explain why they're still waiting for Stevie, rather than just releasing the album without her.

I think Stevie is just throwing around her power to get what she wants. She doesn't want to sit in the studio and do 5,000 overdubs, so she's off doing a solo tour while all that groundwork is being laid. A remarkably short solo tour that will easily allow her to join the band in the studio immediately following the holidays. She's sent up warning flares about how she and Lindsey have gone in diverging musical directions; yet her absence right now is giving the band ample time to craft their songs into a sound that would be palatable to Stevie.

I always want to stab my fellow chiffonheads when they wield this quote, but "don't listen to her, listen through her." Like others have said, Stevie is the star of this band. She would not dare allow that limelight to be shifted away from her by not participating in the first Fleetwood Mac album in nearly a decade and a half. She's just making sure she has a firm grip on the proceedings before she signs on.

I don't think Fleetwood Mac is even signed to a record label at the present time. Their record contract with Warner/Reprise ended years ago, as did Stevie and Lindsey's solo deals with the label. Thus, I really don't think any of them are currently signed to a record label roster.

That being said, and with the way records are release now, I'm sure that a label somewhere would be interested in releasing a Fleetwood Mac record with any lineup. However, if they want major label support, it's probably best to get Stevie on board.

of course it's possible!! :thumbsup: :]

frankly, i don't think i really understand the question. why are people talking about "record company" like we are not in 21st century? they don't need a record company. Lindsey self released several albums - both studio and live. Mick self released live album just in the last few days. FM 4 without Christine self released their EP. so why are we still talking about some imaginary "record company" - when we know neither FM or any of the 5 individual members have a label.

I saw that interview. I think that just goes back to Say You Will. I feel like she just didn't like anything about that album or the process of making it. She and Lindsey have gone in different directions musically but that started with Tusk and they still made albums after that. Tusk itself is a masterpiece in my opinion, and her songs on Mirage were fine, Gypsy especially is a classic and she was hardly even there for Tango. I disagree with what she said about how they used to be on the same page, I feel like that band was very rarely ever on the same page.

I think it's what you said, the 'overdubs'. She doesn't have the patience. So hopefully you're right, that she'll come in at last minute. But even then I feel it would be sad if she didn't want to be there and her efforts are half-assed. And I don't want her to be grumpy about it on the tour and then complain later.

and now we are getting more and more glimpses of why their timelines used to be so biblical - like working for the last 8 years trying to talk Stevie into album!!

i really hope they finally grew some balls like they've been claiming lately and they release this album they seem to be in studio finishing right now!! actually the FM men don't even need to grow the balls considering they now have a woman pushing it forward (instead of one holding them back) finally in their midst - go Christine!! :thumbsup:

You have a point but I also think there's a difference between someone like Lindsey as a solo artist versus Fleetwood Mac. I loove Lindsey but his career as a solo artist never really took off, his name on its own is not that big, so it's not really anything odd if he were to self-release an album. But Fleetwood Mac is a big legendary band, I think it would be strange if they were to release an album without a big label behind it. Not like I'm saying they couldn't, it would just be strange I think and they might be hesitant. The EP was just that-- an EP that had like zero promotion. I don't think a big label will look at the 4 of them without Stevie and be so thrilled about it.

A larger indie label would love a major band like Fleetwood Mac on its roster, with or without Stevie.

This is why "Julia"has yet to be released on a reissue or the 24k disc.Stevie is saving this for the new Fleetwood Mac album.

i think you might be right there - that some of them are hesitant. don't think that's because of the label, but of some other reasons, but i do think Mick is probably VERY hesitant - and that's why they have been at this standstill. we can only speculate, but my feeling is that Lindsey and Christine both cannot wait to release the new stuff they've been working on. i don't think John cares much either way. so who knows, if it's Mick who's hesitant, maybe Christine and Lindsey push forward and release as a duo?

i used to care and wanted them to release as FM since that would be right thing to do, but they broke me after all that wait - and now i just want that new music to come out and they tour it in intimate venues next year (before yet another big FM 5 reunion).

there you go - from someone who actually knows indie business.

Yes, it's possible. And probable, if recent comments from Christine are anything to go by.

And I, for one, would be perfectly happy with or without Stevie there, as long as new music comes.

Will it ever? These people (members of the band) infuriate me.

I'll say 50/50 on this .As we see they had so many members that they went through and they cranked out albums and toured over the years .
BTW welcome to the board dreamsunwind.

I have seen no signs that this is what is happening. Since that burst of time in the studio by Chris and Lindsey, there is zero sign that any of them are in the studio together since the tour ended. Mick's doing his own thing and Lindsey's been doing a few bits with other bands and Christine's talked about a future tour and that's it. No chatter about them being seen in a studio or anything. Nada.

oh I like this theory!

Didn't Christine say that she and Lindsey were planning to go back in and finish up on the album? Or something along those lines?

Yes, Christine said something about going back into the studio with the band in October. She could just be working with Lindsey in his home studio for all we know, though. Or the whole project has possibly fallen through.

God, I hope not.

I agree with most of what has been said...but I've felt that most big band decisions occur when Mick gets the testicular fortitude to make it happen. When Mick says enough is enough to Stevie she'll be back, but he works at a sloths pace when trying to convince someone to do something.

because he doesn't have the power in the band. It's all in the hands of Stevie and Lindsey. Stevie has made it clear that once the band is working on something, he (Lindsey) calls the shots more than any of the rest, including her. Her power comes therefore from not committing to participating, and holding out for what she wants. She did that on SYW... she held out committing to touring any longer than 40 dates which would have made it untenable for him to recoup the money he would lose on a double album... so they cut the record back, and then she agreed to more touring. She can't control the production process and she knows it...so she leverages every other kind of control she can. And she's not above threatening to use her popularity with the press either to trash something if that's the leverage she has to use. That seems to be where Mick gets a bit cautious...

Well, that's certainly no way to behave in a band- holding your bandmates to ransom to get your own way. They are missing clear leadership. Mick's management back in the 1970's may have been atrocious but he was the boss. Things were done his way and, though he might have made a pigs ear of the Tusk tour finances, at least things got done. Lets face it, things went down hill from then on (though I appreciate that whole phase coincided with a major change in the dynamic of the band). I'd say they should appoint Christine as an offical band leader- what she says goes. Christine's way or the highway. Stevie wouldnt get to play her silly little games anymore then.

I feel like that's just her way of saying, in the studio, since Lindsey produces, he'll argue with her over songs rather than like Dave Stewart who basically nodded and agreed with everything she said. I don't think he necessarily calls more shots, but since he produces, he's in the position to go toe to toe with her and is willing to do it. I feel like in the end, she's kinda the most powerful person like how when she was going overdrive on IYD, Mick did that interview saying his band is dead because of her. It all comes down to her so to speak since she has the most fans.

Yeah, I agree, BUT, once they got rich, it became "how do we keep the money rolling in"(at least for idiot Mick). And the answer is, when possible, having all five of them together. So yes, she has them hostage, and it sucks...

My opinion of her just keeps dropping. You wouldn't have thought it possible, for it to go any lower. :lol:

i don't know which signs you mean, but Christine has been saying in interviews they'll be back in the studio starting October to finish the album before Christmas. and then at the end of October her social media posted [granted, old] pic of her and Lindsey in the studio.

i chose to take that as a sign. :)

I guess this thread shows none of us know what's going on, but we sure like to make up theories!

Welcome to the Ledge!

LOL thanks!

But seriously hoping to hear REAL news from the band soon.

I'm with you buddy!

I hope you are right.... but I maintain a healthy skepticism for now..:shrug:

October has come and gone....

Screw Stevie. Christine trusts Lindsey and they made some real magic on their songs on Tango, especially the B sides. Stevie wants straight ahead rock and roll/ balads with NO f#$king edge or creativity. Boring, bland, blah. Overdubs are evil etc... The way she has disrespected Lindsey and the band I could care less if she leaves. I would rather have an album that doesn't sell as well but is artistic and fresh for us fans. BTW I used to ADORE SN. Not anymore.

Not sure if you have seen this article that was posted:
http://ledge.fleetwoodmac.net/showthread.php?t=56415

I think Christine answers your question herself, right here:

You would consider doing some shows with just you, Lindsey, Mick and John [McVie]?

As a four-piece, yeah. With a view of doing a huge world tour after that, with Stevie.

And would you expect that we'll see this new album in 2017?

One would hope so, yeah. That's the plan. And I can't wait for it to be finished. It'll be great. And then we'll hopefully do this world tour with Stevie. And after that, who knows? But we're all still alive, how about that? So that's a start.

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I think Christine makes it clear that Fleetwood Mac plans to make a new album and tour behind it without Stevie and then later do a world tour with Stevie. Stevie's not holding them back from making this album and getting new music out to everyone. It seems clear they are proceeding forward with a new album and will tour behind it without Stevie, and probably has her blessing as she is moving forward with her own touring. That's a win-win for everyone, isn't it? Everyone gets the new music they want, Stevie gets to do what she wants. If there's a hold up, well, this is Fleetwood Mac. They always spend a LOOOOONG time putting out an album. And they are older now. As Mick says: "We're never finished!" (on the 100th re-take of Zevon's song "Werewolves of London" that he and John collaborated on.)

ok. I went back to check what she said coz I forgot. She really does say if Stevie doesn't want to be part of the record they could do smaller shows without her. Wish they would!

What is the future of the band at this point?
Well, we cut seven songs in the studio already for the start of a brand-new studio album. Which we did probably nearer two years ago. We shelved that temporarily and then went on the road and did the tour. And now, actually, I think we're going back in in October to try to finish it off. Stevie hasn't participated yet, but hope springs eternal. She's going on a solo tour at the moment. But Lindsey and I, we have plenty of songs. There are tons more in the bag that we have yet to record. And they're fantastic. So we're going to carry on and try to finish the record. And then maybe if Stevie doesn't want to be part of that then we can go out and just do some smaller concerts.

Everything is posible, but I wouldn't like a Fleetwood Mac álbum without Stevie Nicks. It would be kind of lame. As Say you will was. The perfect formula is with the 5 members. No less.

But WHAT do you do, when one member doesn't want to participate???

Just do nothing, and let her hold the rest of you hostage?

It would be better to have what they've recorded, than nothing at all. And with Stevie's behavior lately, "nothing at all" is looking like all she wants us to have.

new music, please!

hey once upon a time Fleetwood Mac was a 4 piece with Bob Welsh, I think it could totally work with Lindsey. I really do think if she doesn't want to participate they should soldier on without her...I'd still buy it for sure.