New Zealand Herald, LB Interview

[michelej1]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainm...0595179&pnum=0

Still going their own way
New Zealand Herald, 4:00AM Saturday Sep 05, 2009
By Scott Kara


Fleetwood Mac. Photo / SuppliedLindsey Buckingham is surprisingly laid-back about being a jilted lover. It's been more than 30 years since his then girlfriend and Fleetwood Mac band mate, Stevie Nicks, got it on with the band's drummer, Mick Fleetwood, while on tour in New Zealand.

It's not that time has healed his aching heart. You see, back when the infidelity happened Buckingham didn't give a hoot either - it was 1977 and they were promiscuous and drug-fuelled times, after all.

In a recent interview the guitarist and pop genius of the group recounted how Nicks and Fleetwood made a big deal of coming round to his house to tell him about their affair, to which he responded, "Yeah? So? That's it?"

And he's just as flippant on the phone today from his home in Los Angeles: "Stevie and I were on the road to breaking up before we joined the band."

Considering the two lovers - who before Fleetwood Mac were making music as the duo Buckingham Nicks - joined the band in 1975 it must have been a long, rocky break-up.

No band has mixed a cocktail of melodrama, romantic shenanigans, and hedonistic substance abuse quite like Fleetwood Mac - and through it all they came up with two cracker albums, the mega-selling Rumours (1977) and kooky double album Tusk (1979).

It was Rumours, though, with songs like Buckingham's Go Your Own Way, Nicks' Dreams, and keyboardist/singer Christine McVie's Don't Stop, that went on to sell more than 40 million copies - currently the tenth best-selling album ever - and made Fleetwood Mac the biggest band in the world.

It's these songs, and many others, that the band will be playing at New Plymouth's Bowl of Brooklands on December 19 when they return for the first time since 1980's Tusk tour.

The Unleashed Tour is a two-hour plus show of greatest hits material and the Downunder dates follow a sold out 55-city North American tour earlier this year, and a European leg which starts in October.

The version of the band coming to New Zealand is the classic Rumours line-up of Buckingham, Nicks, Fleetwood and bassist player John McVie, minus his former wife Christine McVie who quit the band in 1998 because of her fear of flying.

"One of the things that makes the tour fun, and a little bit profound for us is that we don't have a new album - yet anyway - so we're not trying to go out there and do material that is unfamiliar," says 59-year-old Buckingham. "And oddly enough, for the first time, we've been able to sit back and take stock of the body of work that we have and appreciate it.

"When you're in the moment of making songs, and especially for us with the politics and all the drama that went on, it has never been that easy, and the fun of being on stage has always been tempered by all of that."

So for the first time in 35 years, it seems this classic yet troubled line-up of Fleetwood Mac is the most settled they've ever been.

"We're having a good time," says Buckingham who has the sort of relaxed - almost lazy - lilt you expect from a born-and-bred Californian.

Fleetwood Mac started out as a rough-and-ready British blues band in 1967. With the two constants being Fleetwood and John McVie, the group enjoyed a brief flurry of popularity, underwent a number of personnel changes (including the departure of legendary guitarist Peter Green) , and moved to Los Angeles in 1974.

Meanwhile, Buckingham and Nicks had started making a name for themselves in the early 70s in LA as a duo, combining two-part harmonies and lush orchestral rock arrangements. The pair recorded an album together, with both pictured naked on the cover and Nicks especially striking a sexy and sultry pose, which Buckingham looks back on these days as an "immature" effort by a "fledgling" duo. Buckingham first met Fleetwood at the Sound City recording studio in LA in late 1974. He happened to walk into a room where the tall, skinny drummer was being played the Buckingham Nicks song Frozen Love.

"He was this really thin, kind of bizarre looking guy, bopping away and nodding his head," remembers Buckingham. "I thought, 'What is going on here?' And my first impression was quite correct: Mick is a true individual, quite eccentric, and his presence is certainly unusual. I didn't know who he was at first and then I got introduced to him and of course I was familiar with his band."

It turned out Fleetwood was looking for a new guitarist, with the departure of Bob Welch who had been with the band since 1971, and a week after his first meeting with Buckingham he called him to see if he wanted to join Fleetwood Mac.

"Stevie and I were not planning on doing anything like that and I just said, 'Well, you gotta take my girlfriend too'."

Buckingham says joining Fleetwood Mac was initially a tricky transition as an instrumentalist because he found himself in a group of powerful musicians with "a certain force".

"A great deal of the sound was pretty much established. John and Mick had a very distinct sound that was pre-ordained. It was my challenge to fit into that and contribute to it and somehow not lose my sense of self. There were things I had to give up to do that. Certainly the orchestral side of the playing that was present on the Buckingham Nicks album became something that had to be pared down. You know, John McVie's bassline, and Christine's keyboard playing take up a lot of space.

"Basically, I had to find the holes that were left and that required me pulling back on my style."

Despite these musical differences, there was very little friction on a sonic level - as we've heard, it was the emotional goings-on and the drug and alcohol excesses that caused the most turbulence.

"I couldn't change the way they played, all I could do was influence the production, the direction of the arrangement, and the direction of, for lack of a better term, a pop sensibility."

Which he did, very well, and while the first album with Buckingham and Nicks on board, 1975's Fleetwood Mac, was well received, it was Rumours that made the biggest impact.

Considering the amount of cocaine consumed, and the twisted love affairs going on within the ranks of Fleetwood Mac during the making of, and in the aftermath, of Rumours, the record turned out pretty well.

"Ever since Stevie and I joined the band there was always emotional turmoil," says Buckingham. "It may or may not have existed for most groups, but it was more so for us because there were couples in the band, and so everything, even the time during Rumours, with that amazing commercial success, I don't want to say it was overshadowed, but it was definitely counter-balanced by this other stuff that was going on, which wasn't that much fun to have to go through.

"I think the residue from that [emotional turmoil] went on and on and on, but I think we are at a point now, in our never-ending struggle to become adults," he says with a laugh, "we are getting to the point where we not only appreciate the body of work, but appreciate each other and appreciate that we have this great chemistry as a band," he reminisces.

While there is much made of the problems Nicks, Fleetwood, and John McVie had with drug and alcohol addiction - for example after Nicks got clean of cocaine she became addicted to the painkiller Klonopin - it seems Buckingham fared pretty well.

"To some degree it was 'when in Rome' in the sense that I think we existed in a subculture of rock'n'roll. It was [about] living with substances and that's how things evolved.

"That lifestyle got away from a lot of people. For sure. I was not one of them, but I was certainly there and did partake, but for some reason Stevie and Mick in particular seemed to run into more problems with that."

The ongoing addiction problems his bandmates were having had a lot to do with Buckingham's decision to leave the band in 1987, following the album Tango In the Night.

"But you know," he offers, "I think it's as much a representation of a lifestyle shared by a whole generation of people during a certain time more than anything else. I think in many ways we were all doing things we thought we had to do in order to be creative - which turns out to be ridiculous."

One imagines the excesses of those heady times did have something to do with Tusk, the sprawling and kooky 20-track follow-up to Rumours.

The album was driven almost single-handedly by Buckingham who wrote half the songs, although Stevie Nicks' Sara was the chart-topping and reasonably normal sounding single.

You can tell he's most proud of Tusk. "The Tusk album was a direct reaction to the massive commercial success of Rumours and the proposition that someone would like us to make Rumours II."

So what does he think of the term soft rock - a common term associated with Fleetwood Mac - because Tusk is anything but soft. It's quite crazy, really.

"Yes it is," says Buckingham gleefully. "You could say soft rock, you could also say way more sophisticated," he laughs.

"It's orchestrated, there is a lot of intelligent playing going on, some great musicianship; and I don't care what you call it and in some ways I think it's hard to put one label on Fleetwood Mac. I think the music holds up over time in a way that other stuff doesn't."

The band have no long-term plan, they're getting along well, and Buckingham says they're talking about the possibility of a new album.

Which means, of course, Fleetwood Mac will have to work together as a songwriting unit once again.

"Which is maybe something we've never been able to do, since the first few years. And I'm excited about that and it really is a way that dignifies what we've been able to accomplish and dignifies our relationships with each other as friends, and as co-workers."

LOWDOWN

Who: Fleetwood Mac
Line-up: Stevie Nicks (vocals); Lindsey Buckingham (guitar); Mick Fleetwood (drums); and John McVie (bass)
Where & when: Bowl Of Brooklands, New Plymouth, December 19
Tickets: On sale 9am, September 9 from Ticketmaster. My Ticketmaster pre sale starts September 7
Classic albums: Fleetwood Mac (1975); Rumours (1977); Tusk (1979)

[vivfox]

This is a nice, long showy article for Lindsey to say all the things he's said a million times B4. Except this:

In a recent interview the guitarist and pop genius of the group recounted how Nicks and Fleetwood made a big deal of coming round to his house to tell him about their affair, to which he responded, "Yeah? So? That's it?"

According to Stevie she and Mick had to break up because they knew being together would be the final straw to break up the band, that Lindsey wouldn't be able to handle it and would probably quit.

So now I ask you Ledgies, who is telling the truth and who is the liar?

[daniellaaarisen]

Originally Posted by vivfox

So now I ask you Ledgies, who is telling the truth and who is the liar?

He's posessive as hell. No way he'd take it that easily, even 3 years later... maybe he wasn't about to leave Mac because of it but that doesn't mean he was detached from Stevie at the time and would therefore be fine with it. Tension reigns in Fleetwood Mac.

[mylittledemon]

Originally Posted by daniellaaarisen

He's posessive as hell.

Isn't everyone? Kind of a weird thing to say about someone you don't know.

Originally Posted by vivfox

So now I ask you Ledgies, who is telling the truth and who is the liar?

Well Lindsey did say during the Dance era in an interview on camera (I think it was Fleetwood Mac Behind the Music?) that he more or less "wasn't surprised" when Mick told him what was going on between he & Stevie. Generally in these types of situations, one can make up stories (or alter what really happened) so as not to feel the villain. I'm guessing Stevie's version isn't quite as close to what really occured. I have mild doubts that she would be so terribly concerned about how Lindsey would feel. If anything, she may have suggested to Mick that they should "come clean" to Lindsey about it because of her devotion to the band itself... not Lindsey. They had, after all, broken up.

Just my theory. I could be way off. Probably am. Maybe one day we'll get it in a tell all book. And as Stevie has said before, by then, it won't matter.

[Dodfather]

Lol...I'm agreeing with demon again here...

They had broken up and perhaps Stevie felt worse about embarking on yet another interband relationship (what a polite way to describe what was going on, haha) rather than specifically how it would effect Lindsey? Of course we';re only guessing but they hadbroken up and there had to be an element of "I don't care" from both sides about the other. There always is after a break-up, even if it's not true and you're in kind od denial.

Also, as much as I have respect for Mick for sitting Lindsey down and telling him what was going on (how do you tell a mate you're sleeping with his ex?! Jesus...) I'm not surprised that Lindsey was, well, not surprised! He'll have known just how Stevie behaved when she's romantically around someone and he'll probably have spotted it before anyone else...

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

Isn't everyone? Kind of a weird thing to say about someone you don't know.



Well Lindsey did say during the Dance era in an interview on camera (I think it was Fleetwood Mac Behind the Music?) that he more or less "wasn't surprised" when Mick told him what was going on between he & Stevie. Generally in these types of situations, one can make up stories (or alter what really happened) so as not to feel the villain. I'm guessing Stevie's version isn't quite as close to what really occured. I have mild doubts that she would be so terribly concerned about how Lindsey would feel. If anything, she may have suggested to Mick that they should "come clean" to Lindsey about it because of her devotion to the band itself... not Lindsey. They had, after all, broken up.

Just my theory. I could be way off. Probably am. Maybe one day we'll get it in a tell all book. And as Stevie has said before, by then, it won't matter.

[mylittledemon]

Yeah I'm not saying Stevie didn't still have love for him... I just don't see her being enraptured with Lindsey's feelings is all. And vice versa. Lindsey's reaction seems proof of that.

[Black_Moon]

I think by this point it'll just have been about scoring points off each other. Lindsey's obviously not going to want to look like he's completely devastated about what was going on between Stevie and Mick, because by this point he's going out with Carol-Ann Harris and really, who wants to look gutted that their ex has got someone else?

Stevie obviously wanted him to have some sort of reaction that still showed his love for her. I think she loves the idea that his love for her will eat away at him - 'I'll follow you down 'till the sound of my voice will haunt you...', 'like a heartbeat drives you mad, and the stillness of a memory is what you had...' etc. If he shows no feelings towards her and Mick getting together, then I think it would hurt her too, absolutely.

So, I think mylittledemon is right. Stevie didn't have too much concern with Lindsey's feelings about the situation. She cared more about Lindsey's concern with her.

I mean, this is all guesswork of course. Just my sentiments on the thing.

[CADreaming]

Originally Posted by vivfox

According to Stevie she and Mick had to break up because they knew being together would be the final straw to break up the band, that Lindsey wouldn't be able to handle it and would probably quit.

So now I ask you Ledgies, who is telling the truth and who is the liar?

And, suddenly Stevie and Mick went to tell Lindsey together. Before it was just Mick telling Lindsey in his kitchen... personally I can't see Stevie doing that but now both Stevie and Lindsey have added that tidbit to the story. Love it.

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

Yeah I'm not saying Stevie didn't still have love for him... I just don't see her being enraptured with Lindsey's feelings is all. And vice versa. Lindsey's reaction seems proof of that.

Oh, she was enraptured all right. Enraptured at the thought of Lindsey's complete and utter devastation. Which must be why she went along with Mick just so she could watch the man's face as they tried to break it to him ever so gently. She must have been SO disappointed.

[vivfox]

Originally Posted by Black_Moon

Stevie obviously wanted him to have some sort of reaction that still showed his love for her. I think she loves the idea that his love for her will eat away at him - 'I'll follow you down 'till the sound of my voice will haunt you...', 'like a heartbeat drives you mad, and the stillness of a memory is what you had...' etc. If he shows no feelings towards her and Mick getting together, then I think it would hurt her too, absolutely.

Ha ha this cracked me up! While I agree with what you say I had to laugh at the lyrics you wrote.
The correct words are: in the stillness of remembering what you had, and what you lost.

[trackaghost]

Originally Posted by vivfox

According to Stevie she and Mick had to break up because they knew being together would be the final straw to break up the band, that Lindsey wouldn't be able to handle it and would probably quit.

Well, isn't it well established now that Mick and Stevie broke up because he started having an affair with her friend Sara, who later became his wife? Danny Goldberg certainly writes it that way, as did Carol Ann Harris and I'm sure Stevie said something to this effect recently too. Stevie definitely likes to paint herself as this self-sacrificing martyr but it seems more likely to me they split because of Mick's infidelity rather than any loyalty to the Mac or Lindsey.

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

Well Lindsey did say during the Dance era in an interview on camera (I think it was Fleetwood Mac Behind the Music?) that he more or less "wasn't surprised" when Mick told him what was going on between he & Stevie.

You're right he did say that, I imagine all the band knew what was going on, the visit from Mick (and maybe Stevie too) probably just confirmed suspicions so I believe him when he says he shrugged his shoulders at Mick's revelation. I'm not saying he wasn't hurt by it but he probably had time to come to terms with it and shrug it off.

Originally Posted by vivfox

Ha ha this cracked me up! While I agree with what you say I had to laugh at the lyrics you wrote.
The correct words are: in the stillness of remembering what you had, and what you lost.

To be fair to Black Moon in the history of misheard lyrics that is pretty mild, and it still has the same meaning.

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

Well Lindsey did say during the Dance era in an interview on camera (I think it was Fleetwood Mac Behind the Music?) that he more or less "wasn't surprised" when Mick told him what was going on between he & Stevie.

Yes, I think Lindsey probably heard rumors from the road crew soon after the affair happened, I doubt it came as a surprise. Carol Ann said he knew all along, because it was very obvious but then again she might have gone out of her way to make sure he knew, because I got an instigator vibe from her where the Jenny vs. Stevie altercation is concerned. Carol probably made sure everyone knew about Mick and Stevie.

Lindsey said he had other issues with Stevie aside from her sleeping with Mick. Which doesn't mean he didn't still feel emotionally connected to her. I think he did. But by the time Mick confronted him, the news was probably quite anticlimatic. Plus, Mick said that when he was high Lindsey confessed that he thought there was something between Stevie and Mick since they joined the band in 1975. He apparently suspected they had already been together.

So, when they actually said they had been, Stevie and Lindsey had both been with other people. He'd probably heard about the affair at least a year earlier and gotten through it. I don't think there was immense shock and hurt left, when the boom officially fell.

And I doubt they broke up because of Lindsey. It probably had more to do with Mick's feelings for Sara.

Michele

[Regina]

In that Behind the Music thing, Dance-era, didn't Lindsey say he wasn't surprised but it was kind of like one more thing to add to their problems.

I buy the Dance-version more than I buy this new rehashed "we told him together" deal. But, who knows with these people. They all lie like rugs.

But, since I'm not overly fond of Mick, I think he did it to rub Lindsey's nose in it more than a big old "Lindsey must know! It's the gentlemanly thing to do after schtumping someone's ex-mate."

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by Regina

But, since I'm not overly fond of Mick, I think he did it to rub Lindsey's nose in it more than a big old "Lindsey must know! It's the gentlemanly thing to do after schtumping someone's ex-mate."

The rationale doesn't seem legit does it? Since Lindsey had to know as a matter of Mick's good conscience, why did he only have to know after the affair had been going on for months and was finally over?

I've heard people say that you never tell the other person about infidelity for their sake. You always do it for your own.

As for Mick's true motivations, I'm not sure. I think he wanted to keep FM together more than he would ever want to needle Lindsey. And I like to think that he loves Lindsey and wouldn't really want to hurt him, like a disinterested rival (or Stevie) might want to do. So, I don't know what I think his reason was. I think he thought maybe Lindsey already knew and didn't want the lie to fester between them. If he was 100% sure Lindsey would never find out, he probably would have kept mum.

Isn't it funny how, while people have wondered about Chris and Lindsey, no one really ever speculates about Mick and Christine? I guess they just don't seem like each other's types. Plus, it would be awful if Mick did that to John.

Michele

[Ghost_Tracker]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

Isn't everyone? Kind of a weird thing to say about someone you don't know.

Where there's smoke there's fire.
Where there's a 100-foot-deep
impact crater and a huge conflagration
and pile of rubble there's PROBABLY
a 2,000-pound bomb that went
off someplace.

[CADreaming]

Originally Posted by Ghost_Tracker

Where there's smoke there's fire.
Where there's a 100-foot-deep
impact crater and a huge conflagration
and pile of rubble there's PROBABLY
a 2,000-pound bomb that went
off someplace.

Wasn't Lindsey's razor hair cut inspired by this incident...or was that just a rumour too?