i have to say this is interesting and not a little bit shocking.
as far as i know Inspirer has been heavily Stevie-worshiping publication since its inception. over time it morphed into a magazine promoting successes of women, in music and beyond. i would usually skip any of their SN-related articles, but really enjoyed some of the interviews with strong, successful women, and i love that they have been women-focused for several years now.
http://inspirer.life/home/2018/04/fl...and-neil-finn/
MUSIC Fleetwood Mac Blindsides Lindsey Buckingham With Firing, Adds Mike Campbell and Neil Finn
By Desarae Gabrielle
Published on April 13, 2018 SHARE TWEET COMMENT
Always known for their outlandish drama, Fleetwood Mac did not disappoint when news came to light last Monday that vocalist and lead guitarist Lindsey Buckingham was fired by the band. The rumours of Buckingham’s forced departure began circulating in February, shortly after the bands iconic honor and performance at the MusiCares Grammy week event in New York. The decision to fire Buckingham was made on the heels of the event, completely blindsiding the guitarist who was the creative key in molding the bands revolutionary and progressive sound with albums like Tusk (1979) and Tango in the Night (1987).
Buckingham’s work with the band began in December 1974; Mick Fleetwood asked the California native to join the band when former Fleetwood Mac member Bob Welch departed. Buckingham agreed to join under the condition his then-girlfriend, Stevie Nicks, enter the band with him. Fleetwood agreed and extended the offer to the Buckingham Nicks duo, auditions unnecessary. The additions of Nicks and Buckingham propelled the former blues band to superstardom with album Rumours (1977), which centered around the dramatic breakup of the two lovers as well as the crumbling marriage of Christine and John McVie.
Stevie Nicks’ influence, incredible writing and popularity is undeniable, but Buckingham’s contributions to the band can’t be ignored and are just as vital to the success of the band. On various occasions, the musician morphed his solo work into hits for the British-American group. In ’85, Buckingham began work on a new solo project, during this time vocalist and keyboardist Christine McVie was asked to do a cover of the Elvis Presley hit “Can’t Help Falling in Love” for the soundtrack on the film “A Fine Mess.” Buckingham, Fleetwood and John McVie collaborated with Christine on the track. The collaboration led the fivesome, including Nicks, to work together once more on Fleetwood Mac’s 14th studio album, Tango in the Night. Much of Buckingham’s solo work at the time transformed into this Fleetwood Mac project and featured the eccentric musician playing every instrument on several tracks. Tango in the Night became the bands biggest album since Rumours. Following its release, Buckingham left Fleetwood Mac for personal reasons, citing turmoil in the band with ex-girlfriend Stevie Nicks, and lack of room for creative growth.
Once more, Buckingham began solo work for his Gift of Screws album in ’95, Buckingham invited Fleetwood to contribute drum work on the album. Over time, additional members of Fleetwood Mac were invited to sit in on the recording session including Nicks, John and Christine; the chemistry was palpable and soon reunion plans were in motion. The long-sought and awaited reunion of Fleetwood Mac produced the fifth best-selling live album of all time in the United States, The Dance, which featured new tracks from McVie, Nicks and Buckingham. Buckingham’s track, “Bleed to Love Her” was an unreleased solo track featured on the live album; the track eventually was released on Fleetwood Mac’s Say You Will (2003) album — the first album to feature Buckingham as a full-time member since his departure. Say You Will was the first Fleetwood Mac album to enter the top 3 in the United States since Mirage (1982), but also saw the loss of crucial female member, Christine McVie. Christine, who parted with the band after The Dance, was only featured on two tracks — which were previously recorded with Buckingham for a solo project, not for Fleetwood Mac. Say You Will is now the last album recorded by Fleetwood Mac by the “Rumours 5.” Since the release and subsequent tour of project Say You Will, Fleetwood Mac has taken to the road touring as a Greatest Hits band, only releasing a 4-song EP in 2013 without any promotion or backing from a record company. The EP featured Buckingham Nicks era song, “Without You,” as well as three new additional songs written by Buckingham, including “Sad Angel”, “Miss Fantasy,” and “It Takes Time” — a track which simply features Buckingham playing piano accompanied by his vocals. Mick Fleetwood shocked fans in 2014 when he announced Christine McVie would be re-joining Fleetwood Mac on their next world tour. The reunion tour of the “Rumours 5” sold out in minutes, proving the Rumours era lineup’s popularity and power in the rock and roll landscape.
Christine’s re-involvement in the band led to Buckingham’s piqued interest in new material. In 2015, Nicks stated the band had a lot of material for a new album, leading fans to believe the “Rumours 5” would reunite once more on a record. Instead, Nicks decided to pursue a solo tour with the Pretenders, which was a success for both Nicks and Chrissie Hynde. Because of Nicks’ lack of involvement and commitment, the project was turned into a duo album featuring Buckingham and Christine McVie. In 2017, Buckingham and McVie released the self-titled album, the record featured Mick Fleetwood and John McVie but was not advertised as a Fleetwood Mac project. The album produced critical acclaim for the new material from both Buckingham and McVie, and saw the new duo across the United States on a modest and well-received tour. Both Buckingham and McVie’s chemistry and sound was reminiscent of the Fleetwood Mac lore fans fell in love with in the ’70s.
In mid-2017 an announcement was made that Fleetwood Mac was chosen as the first band to be honored as 2018’s Person of the Year by MusiCares, an event that took place a few days before the Grammys. Singers Miley Cyrus, Lorde, Brandi Carlisle and more took to the stage to honor the band, performing hits like “Landslide,” and “Silver Springs.” Harry Styles joined Fleetwood Mac for a performance of “The Chain,” which will now be the bands last ever performance of the ironic song featuring Buckingham. During the event, members of Fleetwood Mac gave a speech stressing the respect and love they have for one another, calling each member of the band “family,” a dysfunctional family albeit. Given the bands tone and overall messaging of their speeches, Buckingham’s subsequent firing after the event is completely out of left-field and a devastating blow to music fans who were looking forward to seeing all 5 on their upcoming tour. When Buckingham’s firing was announced by media outlets, it was apparent that Fleetwood Mac was not ready to go public with the news, quickly issuing a haphazard statement announcing Buckingham’s replacements — Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Neil Finn of Crowded House. Both men are revolutionary performers, but as social media backlash from fans informs — they aren’t Buckingham. It’s unclear how the band’s new lineup plans to move forward amidst such turmoil and uncertainty from their fans. One thing is for certain though, Fleetwood Mac fans are more loyal to the band than the band is to one another.
Fleetwood Mac broke the chain while putting their kingdom up for sale, and now we’re left to pick up the pieces and go home.