What If Sheryl Crow Joins In 2008?
 

How much political capital did Lindsey expend in vetoing Sheryl joining in 2008 when Stevie and Mick clearly wanted her too?

Was their lingering resentment over his doing so that bears on the events of this year?

How might have things played out if he had let her join?

I think the band would have fizzled. Although with Christine still wanting to come out of retirement 5 years later, I bet Sheryl would have been out and they still would have regrouped.

I thought it was ultimately Stevie who talked her out of it.

She wouldn't have asked to join.

To help her save face. Sheryl announced she was joining. Lindsey said no she isn't. Stevie wanted to make it seem like it was Sheryl's decision not to join rather than the band rejecting her.

Unpopular Opinion:

I think Christine could have spared the band (and the fans!) a lot of stress/drama if she'd come back in 2008 instead of 2014.

There would still be a decade's worth of mess behind us - because, Fleetwood Mac - but it probably would have been a more productive mess (i.e. and album or two from the 5).

Christine could have saved us a mess and never stopped touring in late 1990 or retiring in 1998.

I think they were all ready for some time off circa 1990-1992. If not for that break, the '97 reunion wouldn't have been the event that it was.

As far as 1998, yes, the ideal situation would have absolutely been a new album immediately following The Dance - when everyone was still in love and had plenty of range left in their voices...

Huh?
Please re-read my statement. LOL You ask a question and ask for opinions and I gave you one. I said the band would have fizzled (meaning ended). Lindsey hated the idea so even if he went along with it, I doubt the band would have stayed together. After the band ended, Christine's itch still would have come out and I think they still would have regrouped (without Sheryl of course).

My mistake. I get it now. Thanks.

The 90-92 break would have happened anyway, given their prior history. However, if she hadn’t retired from touring in late 1990, who’s to say that Stevie, Rick, and Billy would have left? At a minimum, I think Billy would have stayed and they would have gotten another lead player. Dave Mason and Bekka Bramlett would probably not have been asked to join.