Just read Billy's book

[bwboy]

Well, I really want to encourage people to buy the book. I bought it on kindle at amazon for $9.99 and it was totally worth it.

Billy said he bought a new house immediately after he joined the band, so he got a lot of money upfront. He said the band spent $1.2 million to record Behind the Mask and almost the same on Time. They also paid Patrick Leonard a LOT of money to produce Love Shines and Heart of Stone. He wrote about how some of the band hated performing live on TV and even pulled out of a few shows because of that (Good Morning America, I believe he said). Let's see, also he described how they flew in private planes with bedrooms, which they rarely used, he made out with Stevie when they all traveled by train once, and how awkward it was when Mick wrote his biography and how uncomfortable the bus ride was to the airport that day. Chris, Stevie, and even John were very displeased with Mick. Once, Stevie had a party for U2 but U2 insisted Tom Petty and the Eagles and some of her friends be disinvited. Stevie and Chris were the ones who insisted Billy and Rick be formal members of FM, and Mick and John finally agreed. Billy said nothing but nice things about everyone, with the exception of Rick, who he writes virtually nothing about. Even when he wrote about FM's performance at the Super Bowl pre-show, he didn't mention that Rick rejoined the band at Billy's request. Very odd.

Oh, and some really surprising stuff about FM's performance at the inauguration that I had never heard. And there's more. Many times I was like, "oh, I had no idea." Nothing life changing, but the kind of minor details a FM fanatic would be interested in. One other thing I found fascinating was a casual mention that Richard Dashut lived in a home worth something like $10 million. He was (and maybe still is) well compensated in his job, apparently! Hope this whets your appetite a bit.

[Macfan4life]

Thanks for those juicy details. Billy making out with Stevie on a train. NOW THAT is exciting I always knew Bono and U2 are full of themselves. Probably the most arrogant band on the planet.
The Mac always toured lavishly. I will probably buy the book. I love those tiny details that open your eyes to a few things.
I think Billy had prior engagements but I am curious if he writes anything about Chris's solo record. He performs on it and does her live show for the recording in Dec 1983 but does not go on the road with her the following year.
It is strange that he does not mention anything about Rick.

[bwboy]

He does mention playing on Christine's solo album, but not great detail at all. He doesn't mention her live shows, either. Just to clarify, Billy said Bono and U2 were very nice, they just didn't want a large crowd, apparently. And Stevie introduced Billy to Jack Nicholson, who was at the party that night. There are plenty more anecdotes, really interesting ones that I deliberately left out, so I think you, and other fans, will find it worthwhile to buy. And then I look forward to hearing what you, an end other people, think about what he said/wrote.

Also, Billy's whole life is interesting, I just mentioned things directly related to his time in Fleetwood Mac. He really comes across as a genuine guy and doesn't badmouth anyone, even people he might legitimately have a gripe against (like John Fogerty). Even when writing about his disappointment with not being named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with FM, he does so in a respectful manner. I would love to hear what other folks think.

[Street_Dreamer]

Finished reading it last night. It gets a bit repetitive with some of the stories but the stories Billy tells are great, especially since they've not been told anywhere else. I would have liked to hear more about his solo career in the 80s, particularly the making of Gimme You, Try Me and Soldier Of Love. I was also surprised that he didn't mention Brother To Brother once in spite of it being a bit of a cult hit among Gleaming The Cube fans.

[WatchChain]

Originally Posted by bwboy

Billy made out with Stevie when they all traveled by train.

Hysterical!!!!! This band never ceases to amaze and amuse me! One would think that, by 1987-1990, the 40 somethings had matured and were OVER their bed-hopping ways! Not a chance. Whatever the case, it appears as though The High Priestess was still mixing her love potions. Girl, love WAS dangerous!

[bwboy]

Actually, I took the phrase "made out" to mean serious kissing/necking, especially since I think Billy said it was in front of everyone else while partying. I could be wrong, of course, but he mentioned it in such a casual way that that's how I took it.