Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueDenimLamp
On this site she is 
While the band could continue musically the tours would financially be a serious downgrade from what they are used to.
Hoffs? What are they going to play Bangles tunes? I hope someone gets LB's reaction on video when he's told he has to play "Bangles" songs at a FM show  |
On a fan-site, of course she's more popular, but she's still not bigger than the band. Stevie the person is more extroverted and puts herself out there more as a person. Of course people are going to be drawn to that. She purposefully gives people something to talk about in order to stay relevant. Marketing 101. However, that doesn't necessarily say anything about her status among the general public, or her stature as an artist. Several people that I don't find particularly talented musically happen to be the most popular artists. I think Stevie is talented, but popularity doesn't necessarily reflect merit or artistry. Nonetheless, no matter which way you cut it, what the casual populace thinks still matters more. As a relatively young person, more people know of Fleetwood Mac than they know of Stevie Nicks. Besides Mick, she's probably the only member they'd recognize, but they know her as part of a band called Fleetwood Mac...and I don't see people attributing songs like Don't Stop or GYOW to her. They know there are other members.
I didn't know who she was until I actually got into the band, and I say that as someone who only listened to oldies music as a child. The only solo song I was familiar with was Stop Dragging My Heart Around, and I only knew that because I recognized Tom Petty in the video. But the oldies stations in my area didn't play 80s music, and only played Fleetwood Mac songs (and while I knew several of their songs, I only knew GYOW, Rhiannon, and Don't Stop were by FM). Similarly, my nieces and nephews really only know Go Your Own Way and Don't Stop, but they only know of Fleetwood Mac because of Rock Band.
What I'm trying to get across is that just as much as the band needs her to fill out arenas, Stevie needs the band to continue to remain relevant, especially when her solo career needs a boost. When she's among legendary bands, I guarantee you, she's probably talking more about the band than her solo career, because she knows she is in "a band just as famous as theirs." Heck, even her friend Tom Petty said that as excellent as SN and LB's solo work has been, the band is still more exciting. As I've said before, Stevie is a great solo artist, but Fleetwood Mac has almost reached (or perhaps has reached) immortal status in terms of greatest bands of all-time. That's not something to belittle or scoff at.
They both need each other for different reasons...and Stevie knows this. She's a smart woman, and knows that associating with Fleetwood Mac is still a good move for herself and her image (not that's the only or main reason she's still in the band. I'm positive she's emotionally dedicated to them as well.) If she really wanted to, she could leave the band, but this idea that the band would suddenly start playing casinos and fairs is unfair to the brand and fans of the band. Would they be selling out arenas, no, but they'd still have relevancy and stature among fans, peers, and critics. Don't discredit the talents and respect that the four remaining members do have. They are highly respected artists, and Stevie's presence or absence doesn't take that away.