Just read Billy's book
 

It is quite good. I mean, it's not going to win a Pulitzer or anything, but it was entertaining and, more importantly, chock full of interesting tidbits about his time in Fleetwood Mac. For example, I wasn't aware of how close he was to Lindsey. Also, I loved how he told how much money he was paid for certain gigs while with FM. I was confused, however, by how little he mentioned Rick Vito. I would have thought they would have had a pretty strong bond, seeing as how they were thrown into the chaos that is FM at the same time, but I think he probably mentioned Rick twice, with virtually zero details. Maybe Billy thought the fans would only be interested in reading about everyone else, who knows?

Definitely worth ordering the book, if you're a fan of FM from 1975 to now. Also, while not a lot of pictures, there are some I'd never seen before, including a great one of Stevie, Billy, and Rick from a live show.

C'mon give us more juicy details than this :eek:

I always wanted to know the Rick Vito connection to the band. I get Billy's connection. He played with Christine, Mick, and Stevie in their solo careers and was a good friend of the band. I always was curious the connection that Rick had to the band. I wish Todd Sharpe got the call but that's water under the bridge. I too would love to know how much they got paid. How much did he say? With their 2 world tours I am sure they never would have to work again IF they were smart with their money. However those were the days where tickets were about the price of the albums $15.00 or so. So maybe I am wrong. They never had hit songs with the band and BTM struggled to be gold so they would not make much off the band with record sales or royalties. I think Mick loosely describes how they were both hired but I forget. Billy is easy. I think the record company suggested Rick and thought Billy was not a lead guitarist and was only rhythm. So they needed an ace lead guitarist. But my memory could be wrong.
In Mick's last book he glossed over the Rick/Billy era only to say Billy was his big drinking partner during the BTM era.
I was just watching parts of the BTM/Farewell tour on youtube last night. It was an incredible tour. I think Stevie went out of her way to be active on stage to fill the void left by Lindsey. She really liked to play around on stage during that tour..
I like Billy but IMHO he is a horrible singer. Its like nails down a chalkboard to me. Rick is not much better. However, I think Rick could have done a better job at Go Your Own Way.

Well, I really want to encourage people to buy the book. I bought it on kindle at amazon for $9.99 and it was totally worth it.

Billy said he bought a new house immediately after he joined the band, so he got a lot of money upfront. He said the band spent $1.2 million to record Behind the Mask and almost the same on Time. They also paid Patrick Leonard a LOT of money to produce Love Shines and Heart of Stone. He wrote about how some of the band hated performing live on TV and even pulled out of a few shows because of that (Good Morning America, I believe he said). Let's see, also he described how they flew in private planes with bedrooms, which they rarely used, he made out with Stevie when they all traveled by train once, and how awkward it was when Mick wrote his biography and how uncomfortable the bus ride was to the airport that day. Chris, Stevie, and even John were very displeased with Mick. Once, Stevie had a party for U2 but U2 insisted Tom Petty and the Eagles and some of her friends be disinvited. Stevie and Chris were the ones who insisted Billy and Rick be formal members of FM, and Mick and John finally agreed. Billy said nothing but nice things about everyone, with the exception of Rick, who he writes virtually nothing about. Even when he wrote about FM's performance at the Super Bowl pre-show, he didn't mention that Rick rejoined the band at Billy's request. Very odd.

Oh, and some really surprising stuff about FM's performance at the inauguration that I had never heard. And there's more. Many times I was like, "oh, I had no idea." Nothing life changing, but the kind of minor details a FM fanatic would be interested in. One other thing I found fascinating was a casual mention that Richard Dashut lived in a home worth something like $10 million. He was (and maybe still is) well compensated in his job, apparently! Hope this whets your appetite a bit.

Thanks for those juicy details. Billy making out with Stevie on a train. NOW THAT is exciting :eek: I always knew Bono and U2 are full of themselves. Probably the most arrogant band on the planet.
The Mac always toured lavishly. I will probably buy the book. I love those tiny details that open your eyes to a few things.
I think Billy had prior engagements but I am curious if he writes anything about Chris's solo record. He performs on it and does her live show for the recording in Dec 1983 but does not go on the road with her the following year.
It is strange that he does not mention anything about Rick.

He does mention playing on Christine's solo album, but not great detail at all. He doesn't mention her live shows, either. Just to clarify, Billy said Bono and U2 were very nice, they just didn't want a large crowd, apparently. And Stevie introduced Billy to Jack Nicholson, who was at the party that night. There are plenty more anecdotes, really interesting ones that I deliberately left out, so I think you, and other fans, will find it worthwhile to buy. And then I look forward to hearing what you, an end other people, think about what he said/wrote.

Also, Billy's whole life is interesting, I just mentioned things directly related to his time in Fleetwood Mac. He really comes across as a genuine guy and doesn't badmouth anyone, even people he might legitimately have a gripe against (like John Fogerty). Even when writing about his disappointment with not being named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with FM, he does so in a respectful manner. I would love to hear what other folks think.

Finished reading it last night. It gets a bit repetitive with some of the stories but the stories Billy tells are great, especially since they've not been told anywhere else. I would have liked to hear more about his solo career in the 80s, particularly the making of Gimme You, Try Me and Soldier Of Love. I was also surprised that he didn't mention Brother To Brother once in spite of it being a bit of a cult hit among Gleaming The Cube fans.

Hysterical!!!!! :laugh::laugh::laugh: This band never ceases to amaze and amuse me! One would think that, by 1987-1990, the 40 somethings had matured and were OVER their bed-hopping ways! Not a chance. Whatever the case, it appears as though The High Priestess was still mixing her love potions. Girl, love WAS dangerous!

Actually, I took the phrase "made out" to mean serious kissing/necking, especially since I think Billy said it was in front of everyone else while partying. I could be wrong, of course, but he mentioned it in such a casual way that that's how I took it.

Rick is writing his own book so maybe that's why.

During a radio interview with the band (the behind the mask tour) when the dj asked how Rick came to join Fleetwood Mac Stevie said that they "picked Rick up in a bar"

Here's something fun- three anecdotes from Billy's book. Take a guess as to which ones could be true and which ones could be false.

1) When Christine, Mick, John, Rick, and Billy prepared to perform at the Super Bowl pre-show, Stevie told the band they couldn't perform under the name Fleetwood Mac.

2) After speaking to Al Gore, Billy was the one who got Fleetwood Mac to perform at the presidential inauguration; then Stevie asked Billy if he would mind sitting out that night and let Lindsey play with the band.

3) Christine, Mick, John, and Billy spent over a million dollars to record Heart of Stone and Love Shines for the Chain box set.

True or false? Do any of these sound unbelievable?

1. I say false because she was too zonked out on klonopin to pull a power play like that.
2. Also false, didn't she say (in all her exaggerations) that she practically had to hold Lindsey up at gunpoint to get him to agree to do the inauguration to begin with? I can't imagine Billy playing was ever on the table, Bill Clinton would've wanted THE lineup.
3. I say true, this band has a history of not managing their finances well.

1. False. No way she would tell Mick, John and Christine they are not Fleetwood Mac

2. Part true, part false. Getting Lindsey back in the band was a challenge. Stevie did call Lindsey and ask him to perform one more time. However, I don't think Billy was part of any of this and I don't think she or anyone else had to tell Billy to sit out.

3. True. The Mac always spent this kind of money for each album. This was not out of the ordinary in those days

I agree with you on #2. I can totally believe #3, but whether it's true or not, who knows. And I'm surprised no one can believe #1. I can. I think she may have been even more disinhibited on drugs. But what I suspect he means is that Stevie's "people" said it on her behalf. Whether she knew they said it, who knows. I think she's surrounded by a lot of people who do all that sort of dirty work for her. Like Lindsey once said about them getting back together to work on stuff, "Howard is gonna get the best deal for Stevie" meaning her manager, Howard Kauffman. So yeah, I can totally see #1.

think about it-- a lot of people think the Lindsey/Christine/John/Mick album could and should have been called Fleetwood Mac. But it isn't.

All three stories are true, as written by Billy.

1) Just to be safe, during their performance at the Super Bowl pre-show, FM didn't sing any of Stevie's songs. And they made 0 profit due to limos, travel, production, etc.

2) Billy met Al Gore after the election, and Al asked Billy to have FM perform at the inauguration. Billy spoke to the band and they agreed, but shortly before the performance, Stevie called Billy and asked if he would let Lindsey take his place for that one performance.

3) Billy said they spent $1.6 million to record two songs for the Chain box set due to producer Patrick Leonard being so expensive, and again the band's usual outrageous production costs.

He also had a lot of things to say about the Time incarnation, his friendship with Lindsey, his relationship with Bekka Bramlett, and more anecdotes about being on the road with FM. Even while on the road, FM would jam in Stevie or Christine's hotel room just for fun. It sounds like they all really enjoyed each other's company.

wow, how's that for a "you're not REALLY Fleetwood Mac and you'll never really be"....:eek:

Fascinating stuff. These tid bits are amazing and I see the logic to them if you go back in time. The first one is so arrogant of Stevie to make such a statement. But go back in time. The Superbowl appearance was only weeks after the inauguration in January 1993. I actually just remembered wondering if Stevie and Lindsey were going to make an appearance since they were just back together again. Its also right before rehab and Stevie is very frustrated during this time. So in the context of this being right after the reunion and before her world came crashing down...it makes sense. She does not want to miss the spotlight.
Billy and Al Gore seemed odd to me but not when you think about it. Al Gore was the US Senator from Tennessee. The Gore family is famous there going back to Al Gore's dad. So it makes sense these 2 would cross paths. However, I think its a safe assumption that the band was going to be asked to play at the inauguration anyway. Don't Stop was the campaign theme and I think it would have happened anyway even without Billy talking to Al Gore. Its probably factual what Billy said but he may be taking a bit too much credit for the Mac's performance. In 2000 Hillary Clinton contacted the band to perform at the White House. I see someone in the campaign or inauguration executive contacting the band's representative to make it happen. In fact I think there is a Mac special where Mick talks about being reached out to about performing.
Love these details and gotta get this book!

That's weird. Didn't Stevie always say she had to beg and beg Lindsey to do it and say she'd never speak to him again if he cheated her out of the opportunity? So if it was never a requirement that he perform to begin with and Billy could've done it, why would she have done that? She hated Lindsey excessively during that time it makes more sense for her to have been pleased that Billy perform instead of him.

Its important to remember that Lindsey was the original vocalist (first verse) and player on the song. With such an international audience it made sense to ask Lindsey to come back and play. Everyone remembered Fleetwood Mac the way they were. Not many knew anything about Rick and Billy except the die hard fans.

Still a slap in the face to someone who was still an active member of the band, especially in light of the Al Gore connection. There was no reason that Billy couldn't have joined them with Lindsey as vocalist and Billy backing him on guitar.

It really made me laugh to know about Billy making out with Stevie, I'd have expected more Rick to pote a move on her since there are many pictures that show him staring at Stevie's cleavage:

http://68.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lk...ugio1_1280.jpg

I just ordered the book. Should have in a day or two with Amazon Prime. Can't wait to read it.

There was a story about Stevie ordering room service at some hotel overseas during this tour and the person who delivered said that they saw the band's guitarist in her room. Some thought the unnamed guitarist was Lindsey, even though he had long left the band, but Billy's anecdote make both him and Rick candidates. Michele

so not a fan of Stevie's stage costumes during this era. All the bad stuff of the 80s and none of the good stuff of her 70s outfits.:eek:

Oh, man- I think Stevie looks stunning in that picture! Sure it's an 80's look- it was the 80s! I wish there were more pictures of Stevie released, along with Christine, Rick, Billy, and Lindsey. That photo of the band on the back of the FM Greatest Hits album is so classy, not to mention the few photos from Tango and Mirage.

I'm around a quarter of the way through the book, and I gotta say....I ain't impressed!
The writing is sloppy and the editing is non-existent. Bad punctuation, typos and repeating lines is bad enough, but misspelling names, some times numerous times, is inexcusable, especially with pretty famous individuals.
Proof positive (for me) that, once again, great song writing ability doesn't always transfer over to being a great author!

The book seems rushed to me. He gives little, quick stories and then moves along to the next little story. I wish he would have spent more time on his memories. He's met and worked with so many people.

Thanks for posting BWBoy.. I'll check it out. You sold me on it.

Billy Burnette Releases 'Crazy Like Me'


Logging a storied nine-year run slinging the six-string forFleetwood Mac, penning pivotal anthems for everyone from Ray Charles to Gregg Allman to George Strait, and calling the "Fathers of Rockabilly"--The Rock 'N Roll Trio's Dorsey and Johnny Burnette--"dad" and "uncle," respectively, BILLY BURNETTE has spent a lifetime living and breathing rock 'n' roll. All of this comes together on his upcoming solo album CRAZY LIKE ME--due out October 20--and just-released memoir.

For the very first time, the award-winning singer, songwriter, guitarist, and musical journey man shares each step of his fascinating five-decade career via the memoir, Crazy Like Me: From Memphis and the Rock 'N Roll Trio To Fleetwood Mac. The album and book's release will be celebrated with a show in Nashville on September 3 at 3rd and Lindsey (8pm show time).

Get the book HERE.

Powered by his rapid fire and captivating prose, the book chronicles unbelievable stories from growing up a Burnette in the wake of The Rock 'N Roll Trio's rise to notoriety as an influence on the likes of Led Zeppelin, Elvis Presley, and more, cutting his first song with none other than Ricky Nelson at seven-years-old, recording and touring the world with Fleetwood Mac, and all of the wonderful madness in between.

2017 proved the right moment for this tale to be told.

"I'm not getting any younger," laughs BILLY. "There are all of these stories about The Rock 'N Roll Trio that people just don't know. I wanted the world to hear them. Through the process, I found out even more than I ever knew-and I was there! I had to write the book to get the facts right before time goes on, so nobody forgets what they did. At the same time, it was a chance to tell my own story. While working on it, it felt right to release the album alongside of the book."

Recorded between his home studio and the House of Blues Studio (Nashville) the album CRAZY LIKE ME tells the musician's journey through the songs that bookmarked his most seminal moments. He kicks off the record with a rousing rendition of The Rock 'N Roll Trio's signature barn burner "Tear It Up"-which BILLY often famously covered on tour with Fleetwood Mac. He also takes on two of his biggest placements "Do I Every Cross Your Mind?" made famous by Ray Charles and Bonnie Raitt on 2004's Genius Loves Company-also recorded by Cher and Tom Jones-and "River Of Love," which marked George Strait's 57th #1 single. In addition, he unveils a new version of "Nothing To Do (And All Night To Do It)" and serves up other brand new songs, including such standouts as: "Ghost Town," "All Nighter" (co-written with Clare Dunn) and "I Remember You."

A love letter to rock 'n' roll with the right amount of blues swagger and Americana perspective, CRAZY LIKE ME represents an inspiring life in music.

"It's an album of songs I just wanted to do," he goes on. "The songs coincide with the book. It's a mish-mosh of hits and things people have never heard. I just went in and cut it. Rock 'n' roll is part of my DNA. I don't do it, because I have to do it; I do it because I love this kind of music. I've never done anything but this. I'm very blessed to have done this all my life. It's an overall look at my work as a writer, and it tells my story."

And it's a rock 'n' roll story for the ages. Get Crazy with BILLY BURNETTE now.

TRACK LISTING FOR CRAZY LIKE ME:
"Tear It Up" (Dorsey Burnette, Johnny Burnette, Paul Burlison)
"(All I Can Do Is) Dream You" (Billy Burnette, David Malloy)
"Crazy Like Me" (Billy Burnette, Dennis Morgan, Shawn Camp)
"Oh Well" (Peter Alan Green)
"When I Remember You" (Billy Burnette)
"It's Late" (Dorsey Burnette)
"Nothing To Do (And All Night To Do It)" (Billy Burnette, Deborah Allen, Rafe Van Hoy)
"Ghost Town" (Billy Burnette)
"Do I Ever Cross Your Mind" (Billy Burnette, Michael Smotherman)
"She's Burning The Honky Tonks Down" (Billy Burnette, Shawn Camp)
"She's Gonna Win Your Heart" (Billy Burnette, Mentor Williams)
"River Of Love" (Billy Burnette, Dennis Morgan, Shawn Camp)
"All Nighter" (Billy Burnette, Clare Dunn)
"Anywhere You Go" (Billy Burnette, Will Jennings)



http://www.gratefulweb.com/articles/...eases-crazy-me

SHE looks fine. The outfit......:eek:

Sounds like something worth reading.
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