Mick Fleetwood Open to Reunion With Lindsey Buckingham - Rolling Stone
 

With the concert industry shut down for the foreseeable future and his bandmates spread to various spots around the planet, Mick Fleetwood truly doesn’t know what the future holds for Fleetwood Mac. But that hasn’t stopped the drummer from looking ahead and sketching out a possible farewell tour in his mind.

“I’m very aware that we’ve never played that card,” he tells Rolling Stone on the phone from his Hawaii home. “I think the vision for me, and I think it would be hugely appropriate, is that we actually say ‘this is goodbye’ and go out and actually do that. That has always been my vision and I’m a flatly confident that we can do that. We owe it to the fans.”

The comments appear to contradict Christine McVie’s recent statements to the BBC where she said that bassist John McVie was “a little bit frail” and no longer had “the heart for it.” She also said, “If we do it, it’ll be without John and without Stevie [Nicks], I think…I’m getting a bit old for it now. I don’t know if I can get myself back into it.”

McVie later walked back the comments, and Fleetwood says they shouldn’t be taken literally. “I think she got out of bed on the wrong side that day,” he says with a laugh. “She meant to say, ‘We’ve done so much. I don’t know whether or not we can keep going.’ Anything other than that, she can speak for herself. But I can assure you we are alive and well. And she has no regrets. She just got caught up in whatever she was saying and she also felt she had been misunderstood.”

Christine McVie also said that John McVie was focused largely on sailing the world on his boat, but Fleetwood says that’s never once stopped him from participating in band activities. “He’s always more interested in going sailing until you put it in front of his face,” he says. “He’s so not caught up in the drama of the workings of the band. That has always been my world. I’ve never not known John to answer the call and say, ‘Show me the gig and I’ll plug my bass in.'”

There hasn’t been any reason for McVie to plug his bass in since Fleetwood Mac ended their last world tour in November 2019. It was their first tour since parting ways with Lindsey Buckingham and bringing in Neil Finn of Crowded House and Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers to fill the void. “It was a massive, really lovely world tour that was beyond successful in every way,” says Fleetwood. “And a happy tour.”

They initially planned on booking about eight stadium shows with other big artists the following year, but the pandemic made that impossible. Last July, Fleetwood Mac founding guitarist Peter Green died just months after Fleetwood staged a massive tribute concert in his honor at London’s Palladium.

It was a devastating blow to Fleetwood, but it also caused him to get back in touch with Buckingham after two years of bitter estrangement. “I’ve really enjoyed being re-connected with Lindsey, which has been gracious and open,” says Fleetwood. “And both of us have been beautifully honest about who we are and how we got to where we were.”

The reconciliation leads to an obvious question: Might Buckingham come back into Fleetwood Mac for the farewell tour that Fleetwood is plotting out in his mind? “Strange things can happen,” says Fleetwood. “I look at Fleetwood Mac as a huge family. Everyone plays an important role in our history, even someone like [early Seventies] guitarist Bob Welch, who was huge and sometimes gets forgotten. Lindsey’s position in Fleetwood Mac will, for obvious reasons, never been forgotten, as it should never be forgotten.”

“My vision of things happening in the future is really far-reaching,” he continues. “Would I love to think that [reunion] could happen? Yeah. I’d love to think that all of us could be healed, and also respect the people who are in the band, Neil Finn and Michael Campbell.”

The major impediment to a reunion with Buckingham is his relationship with Stevie Nicks, which had been strained for decades and finally reached a breaking point in early 2018. No reunion tour can proceed without the two of them arriving at some sort of detente. “I can’t speak for the dynamic with Stevie and him,” says Fleetwood. “I don’t even need to protect it. It’s so known that they’re chalk and cheese in so many ways, and yet not.”

For now, Fleetwood is just happy he’s back on speaking terms with Buckingham. “I know for a fact that I intend to make music and play again with Lindsey,” he says. “I would love that. It doesn’t have to be in Fleetwood Mac. And Fleetwood Mac is such a strange story. All the players in the play are able to talk and speak for themselves. Somehow, I would love the elements that are not healed to be healed. I love the fantasy that we could cross that bridge and everyone could leave with creative, holistic energy, and everyone could be healed with grace and dignity.”

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/m...bSOQ1rpWp01_ws

Just wishful think on Mick's part.
Stevie- solo work through 2022. Lindsey???...over her dead body.
John- probably too old, no matter what Mick thinks.
Lindsey- I hope he doesn't give it the time of the day.

Buckingham, Fleetwood, McVie- I guess I could go for that, but realistically I can't even see that ever happening now.

As somebody said in another thread, Mick leeching off Lindsey on a Lindsey solo tour or (Lindsey Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood) is about the best he could hope for.

It is my theory that THIS was the plan all along. Give Lindsey and Stevie (who hate each other) some time apart, Lindsey time to do his solo work, and enlist Neil and Mike (who were just sitting around) as nothing more than hired hands.

Next, come back with a large scale "Farewell Tour" featuring the "Rumours" lineup for the final cash grab.

All was going perfectly as planned UNTIL a pesky heart attack and a global pandemic altered the course of the universe.

Rest assured, the "Farewell Tour" WITH the "Rumours" lineup will almost certainly happen, even if on a smaller scale with less dates.

There is no doubt in my mind. PR representative and managers are behind all of this.

I will give you and a few people credit, you did say this.

I hope LB rolls his solo album into a new FMac album and they tour it!!!
Just kidding, Elle. :xoxo:

Wow.. he's giving Stevie the Playboy Interview treatment.

With this interview the public knows: a reunion with Lindsey is up to Stevie.

That is if the public knows who Lindsey is:laugh:

If Stevie permits LB to perform with them again, they'd have to make new music with Mike and Neil if it's going to be a 6 member band.

If they're only going to play the old songs, would Lindsey and Neil trade vocals on Tusk and Oh Diane? Or does Neil sing the Welch, Kirwan, Green songs?

Lindsey should NEVER go back. F*ck Dick Fleetwood! Douchebag!

Homie who do you think the other big artists were for the stadium shows?
Eagles and Springsteen?

These guys never cease to amaze me. What the hell kind of comment is Chris woke up on the wrong side of the bed about? I believe she knows that John is done and Stevie is done and she is pretty much done also.

I would love to see an album and farewell tour, however they want to do that. Maybe a pay per view event instead of a real tour, but Stevie has a lot of groveling to do and I don't think she would even try until her projects are finished.

Wishful thinking Mick but I don't know, this one might be a bit of a reach.

****yawn****

This is so boring because its so predictable. You can activate old threads from years ago that predicted this was going to happen. I've been saying it for years. Mick realizes a reunion tour would spark enough interest to pad his wallet one more time with meet and greets. I also believe the legacy aspect hit him as well. 6 months ago, he was adamant that Lindsey was never rejoining. I laughed at that too. The sad part is poor Lindsey has been offering this olive branch since 2018.
Now this is the part that is not a coincidence. The interview with RS comes almost immediately after Chris said the Mac was pretty much done. Chris tried a mop up job but that was not good enough for the boss. Mick is trying to put the pieces back together that he shattered. The worst part is he definitely touched base with Stevie to make sure she would be ok with a farewell tour. I think she got fan push back and she realizes it was all for nothing but big ego.

So predictable that its not even worth posting. Biddy's undies are not selling. He needs one last huge cash grab.

Seriously though, I would much rather see a Lindsey solo concert or Buck/Vie to a greatest hits farewell. I dont want to hear Gypsy "hey Hey" again. Chris could barely play last tour. Now she will barely be able to sing in 2 years. Mick is trying to lay the groundwork and I have always said it will happen. I just don't think it will be a monster world tour. I bet its like 30 US Dates. It will be a typical Mac setlist that we will all flame. But Stevie and Lindsey will sing "I dont want to know" as well as Silver Springs.

Is anyone writing this down?

Exactly. Christine spoke honestly and Mick panicked at the thought of losing potential revenue. He’ll do and say anything to keep the FM flag flying.

I like the idea of a pay-per-view event.

Mansplaining. But I don't think Chris would care. After all, she's worn "blackface" before :eek:

I love the idea, but I think the days of a long farewell tour have passed. How about something ..... a little different? If I'm going to dream about it, here's mine:

- Keep the tour short, something do-able. 12-15 dates (maybe 20 on the outside)
- Smaller Venues + STREAM (pay-per-view opportunity here)
- Have 1-2 days break between shows
- Keep the show length at 2 hours max (90 minutes would be ok)
- Forget trying to recreate the studio sound. Scale songs down, maybe a new arrangement to give them a fresh feel. Even go acoustic. "Gypsy" acoustic, like 2000? Even "Stand Back" had an interesting arrangement during the 1994 rehearsals (scaled down in one version, full band in others)
- Throw in a nod to the deluxe releases. Perform something simple, like "Cool Water" from the Mirage deluxe set.

I can dream!

Huh? Neil was literally about to go on stage when Mick called. Neil had just finished the album with Liam and Mike had just finished the Dirty Knobs album. I get being angry about Lindsey getting sacked, but I don’t get the need to just make stuff up about Neil and Mike. Anyway, it’s clear they’re still part of the equation going forward.

I’m not convinced, though it’s Fleetwood Mac so I wouldn’t rule it out. The upcoming offshoots will be interesting, though.

See, I’m not sure any of them are being completely honest. I’m skeptical and wouldn’t be surprised if they were intentionally creating drama in the press. It’s like there’s one or two vague interviews coming out every month. Stevie should be popping up in two to three weeks.

For having not toured in 15 years, Christine sounded great in 2014-2015. She sounded good in 2017 too. Idk what happened in that year, but she sounded like she was struggling in 2018-2019. I’d love a final Rumours farewell tour, but Christine and John are pushing 80. The others are well into their mid 70s too. And with the pandemic, there’s no telling.

The farewell tour should have been in 2017 promoting the new album. All made sense.

Neil and Mike will almost certainly NOT be involved in the "Farewell Tour" in any shape or form. Their time in Fleetwood Mac was nothing more than being temporary hired hands. I believe that all parties involved knew from the very beginning that the presence of Mike and Neil was a one tour deal.

Thank your for acknowledging that. You rock!

We've all been had. While it is true that Stevie and Lindsey don't like each other very much and the Music Cares argument really happened, I believe that much of this drama was created and fueled by a PR and management team. Mike and Neil were temporary hired hands and everyone knew it from the beginning.

Had it not been for Lindsey's major health scare AND Covid19 destroying the live music and touring market, we would already have a "Farewell Tour" with the "Rumours" lineup in the early stages with tickets going on sale soon.

There is 100% no doubt in my mind that we will see the Rumours lineup reunite. Due to their advanced aged, the farewell tour will be majorly scaled back - perhaps 40 US dates only (no world tour). Someone else mentioned they could shorten the length of the show, which is certainly a possibility.

So, get ready! I can already hear the 15 minute long speeches from Stevie about "forgiveness", "healing", "so special to me", "known him since I was 16", blah blah blah. Lindsey chimes in with a speech about "growth and perspective - big machine" blah blah blah. Hell, they can wheel John up there in a walker for 40 US dates. It's on!

Apparently, he hasn't been tossed around enough.

This is all so very sad but also typical. If they could rehearse and actually get to sounding good again, I think a one off show kind of like Zeppelin did would be the way to go. I don't want to watch Chris up there croaking and pretending to play when she is damn near 80 years old. Go out with some dignity. The time to do a long farewell tour has passed.

Well then he's not as intelligent as I thought. Public HUMILIATION followed by going back begging, with his tail between his legs? Maybe he should get "Stevie's drone" tattooed on his forehead. Pathetic is the only word, if he does it.

I was speaking figuratively when using the phrase "sitting around". While I'm aware that both musicians had projects in the works, we both know that Neil Finn and Mike Campbell made ****loads more money playing 88 dates of 18,000 seat arenas with Fleetwood Mac than they would have with solo work.

To clarify, yes both men are busy. Neil is scheduled to play The Round House in London later this year - it holds 1,700 people. The Dirty Knobs are serving as an opening act for Chris Stapleton in mid-sized venues.

Now, I know that Mike Campbell probably didn't need the money. I can't safely say the same for Finn. Whatever the case, Finn and Campbell's days in Fleetwood Mac are over. I would pay money down the road if I'm wrong - there is no equation that includes them moving forward with this band. I don't think it was ever a question. Finn and Campbell were called in to fill a hole and chose to make some serious money for a tour with Fleetwood Mac - then run back to their little solo projects with deeper pockets.

Except there’s no indication that anything’s changed. If anything, Mick has gone out of his way to bring them up.

Mick said that he and Lindsey will work together again, though maybe not in the context of Fleetwood Mac, which was obvious months ago (and something I could have told you would eventually happened).

100%? Please, even I very slowly scroll through the news every morning when I get up...

The last two years have been brutal for rock.

Exactly why I see Campbell and Finn staying in regardless of whether or not Lindsey comes back. I mean, if Lindsey comes back, what better reason for Stevie to sing “Heart of the Matter,” which Mike Campbell co-wrote?

Two kinds of people in the world: winners, losers. :lol:

Why don't these reporters ask Mick if he's been working on new music with anyone in Fleetwood Mac?

These reporters have asked him about Lindsey in recent interviews

That’s true for any of them. Even Twirly Witcherton. Your point?

Like Wrigley Field???

And the Round House is about the same size venue Lindsey plays solo.

So, again, your point?

Based on what? Until states otherwise, and Mick went out of his way to not do that, I think it’s wishful thinking on your part.

Just like Stevie.

Again, your point?

Where does one even begin with this horse pucky? He isn't worried about the fans, he's worried about the money. "We owe it to ourselves to go out with as much filthy lucre as possible". And, 'We've never played that card'?? You fully intended to play it for the previous tour until it derailed.

This is such typical Mick word salad. I would bet any amount of money the bit about "she can speak for herself" came from Stevie or someone in Stevie's camp. We all know that Stevie cannot abide anyone speaking for her or controlling the narrative other than herself. That to me sounds like a Stevie smack delivered via Mick. And he seems fine delivering it because he doesn't want to lose that moola. Poor Chris, her standing really has fallen within the band; she is no longer a force to reckoned with, she's a player who needs to do as she is told. Sad.


This seems to imply that the loss of the money from the stadium shows and the PG tribute concert were the reasons that he decided to reach out to LB. "Hmmm.... maybe there's an opportunity there"


We finally sat down and admitted it was all bulls*** and it was all about Stevie playing us off against each other. I of course went with Stevie and the money. Duh. And Lindsey knows how weak I am, and has decided to play Mr. Magnanimous and forgive me.

Is he equating LB's role in FM to that of Bob's role in FM? An important part of their 'history' not to be forgotten, but not really part of the present...So..what does that mean for a tour? He comes out for a guest spot, like when Billy and Rick were in the band? :shrug:

Ref. above comment. They're "in" the band, and LB's in the past, but not to be forgotten. So is it a Rumours5 reunion farewell he's thinking of or, again, a FM tour with LB guest solo spot on a song or two?? I would lose all respect for Linds if he does this.


That is exactly what he's done for years now, "protect" (translation, lie about) the dynamic between S&L. But the lies failed and "it's so known" now that even he's finally given up?

This sounds like Mick playing on a LB solo album or show.....but then.....

This was blown up on the last tour so what, exactly, has changed?? Maybe LB has softened :( but has Madame? Really?? :distress::laugh: If they're going to wait on convincing Stevie, the only bridge that is going to be crossed is one of them going over the rainbow bridge. Lindsey almost did and John's come pretty close. Mick continues to live in the delusion there's lots of time left. Chris is the only one with the balls to admit there isn't... and they've made sure to smack her down.

:laugh:

Dude, for $10 million? I’ve seen people do worse for a Klondike Bar.

Dude! Da Googlez says he's worth 160M.

So yes, REALLY. What price is your dignity, when you've got enough already?

Let’s take that down a few notches.

If you were worth $100,000, had three adult children, and had a choice between playing in front of 200 people or 4000, and whatever you made wouldn’t change your quality of life, but could really pad your kids, you seriously wouldn’t do it?

Because a two hour show for 2000 people is the same as 20,000 people.

So much for pride, and being publically humiliated. I'd never go back. Never.
No real man would.

A friend of mine down in El Lay who knows some people in the industry just told me that Nicks is going to tour New Zealand with Neil because there is no covid there. I have no idea if there is any truth to it .It would not surprise me if she recruited Neil and greedy old Mick for her solo band .I believe that will happen before a Rumours five farewell tour. I just can't see that at this point. She truly hates Lindsey bitter old harridan that she is .

$he doesn't need Mick. Mick needs her.

But there are much better, younger drummers. Who'll work for scale. Mick's a loser.

Except Lindsey reached out to Mick, not the other way around. Using your logic, why would Lindsey, who has never had a Top 20 album or a Top 10 single without Mick, be the one to reach out?

Probably exactly why Lindsey reached out to Mick after Peter died in the midst of a pandemic when it’s still not known when anyone is getting back out. Not like Lindsey ever needed the promotion.

As a creative entity, the present is as dead as Bob and has been for about as long.

Chalk and cheese. And yet not.

He’s hilarious. He keeps saying that everyone can speak for themselves, but then he takes it upon himself to speak for Christine and tell us what she really meant.

Recruit Neil for her solo band? Nah- he's massively revered in both Aus and NZ. That would be seen as rather offensive. The best she could hope for would be a joint billing.

I think they meant joint billing. “Nicks is going to tour New Zealand with Neil because there is no covid there” doesn’t imply that Neil would be in her band.

In the unlikely case where Stevie tells Mick that she'll allow Lindsey to perform with FM again... These are the things I've arrived at upon reading "respect the people who are in the band, Neil Finn and Michael Campbell"

1) Lindsey as a special guest on a tour (not opening act) who comes out to do his songs and potentially Oh Well guitar duels with Mike and Neil


2) Mick tells Neil and Neale H. that they want to reunite the Classic Lineup and thank them for their service. Mike is kept (if he wants to) as the new second guitarist but still in his same spot on stage in front of the singers (or Taku if they keep percussion out front and not behind Mick). Mike also kept to make Stevie happy and have her TPATHB connection alive.

Question: Were Billy, Bekka, and Dave treated with respect and dignity when FM decided to do a Classic reunion in 97? I don't know if anything's been public on that. Just curious if Mick regrets how he dumped those three after being creative with them.

Lastly, an opinion: if Neil doesn't create new music with FM, I don't see the point in FM doing more shows with him and not a person who actually wrote a song with FM. May as well have Lindsey as the male vocalist so he can do songs from the records he did with FM.

Fleetwood Mac featuring Lindsey Buckingham.
Concert would begin with Mike and Neil in tow....no Lindsey

Lindsey would pop on stage to big build up from Mick, just like when Christine returned.......exit Mike and Neil.

Rumours five would perform The Chain, then Lindsey would do Big Love and NGBA as solos.
Stevie would then sidle up to him, from the darkness, and do all that deep bowing lark she does.
Together they would do flamin’ Landslide and the wonderful Say goodbye to you.
The three from Rumours Five would then rejoin on the stage and they’d do NGBA.

Lindsey would exit stage right, Mike and Neil would reappear

NGBA twice, sue? Maybe close out that set with Wish You Were Here or Say You Love Me?

I don't think the 5 would do The Chain because I think that would open this show and I guess LB would come out in the middle of your show?