Mike Campbell didn't know Lindsey was fired

[lovethemac1]

Originally Posted by sodascouts

I have to say, the Mike-didn't-know narrative really surprises me. My theory had been all along that Stevie would never have kicked Lindsey out unless she had already secured her "Heartbreaker" replacement.

Lindsey's guitar skills can't be replaced with just any player (I'd argue he can't be replaced, period, but at any rate) - Stevie at least would realize she would need someone special, and in her mind, no one is more special than a Heartbreaker. It has always been her fantasy to be a Heartbreaker. So what would they have done if Mike had said no and her little fantasy hadn't worked out? Auditioned a bunch of guitarists? I suppose so, but it just seems like something Stevie would have been reluctant to do right before a huge tour.

I guess it was just really convenient and lucky that Mike didn't have any other commitments....

This is what I have always thought................how did Mike NOT know????

[Storms123]

Originally Posted by lovethemac1

This is what I have always thought................how did Mike NOT know????

I actually don't think he's as close to Stevie as Stevie thinks he is.

[snroxman]

re: "I actually don't think he's as close to Stevie as Stevie thinks he is."

Ding! I was wondering the same thing. The timing is certainly interesting.

[bombaysaffires]

Oh dear, there goes Mick being a bit disingenuous telling Mike that the offer was coming from him, not from Stevie. Ok, maybe technically that's actually true-- it was indeed Mick who picked up the phone and contacted Mike. But there's no way in hell the idea did not get put in Mick's head from Stevie, directly or indirectly (and I'm betting directly, but let's not forget they're managed by Azoff who would also have understood how well Stevie would respond to Mike and who could have planted the seed). At a very minimum when thinking who to approach Mick had to think about who would make Stevie happy since that was the reason he fired Lindsey. What would make Stevie happier than one of her fellow Heartbreakers, and one who wrote songs with her, and even toured with her for a bit doing her single FWIW? Even if the idea was magically all Mick's, there's no way he wouldn't have run it by HMQ before taking any action on it.

[SteveMacD]

Yeah, the guy who brought in Danny Kirwan, Bob Weston, Lindsey Buckingham, Billy Burnette, Rick Vito, and Dave Mason wouldn’t have thought to bring someone like Mike Campbell in on his own. What does the former brother-in-law of George Harrison and Eric Clapton AND who founded Fleetwood Mac with Peter Green, possibly know about guitarists?

Tom Petty died in October and tour negotiations hit a snag in November. Isn’t it possible that in that span of time Mick revisited the TPATH catalogue, connected with Mike’s playing, and suggested to Stevie that Mike was a way to move forward without Lindsey? He liked Mike’s playing, knew she’d go along with it, and knew the Petty connections would help make up the difference with Lindsey out in terms of ticket sales.

[bombaysaffires]

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

Yeah, the guy who brought in Danny Kirwan, Bob Weston, Lindsey Buckingham, Billy Burnette, Rick Vito, and Dave Mason wouldn’t have thought to bring someone like Mike Campbell in on his own. What does the former brother-in-law of George Harrison and Eric Clapton AND who founded Fleetwood Mac with Peter Green, possibly know about guitarists?

Tom Petty died in October and tour negotiations hit a snag in November. Isn’t it possible that in that span of time Mick revisited the TPATH catalogue, connected with Mike’s playing, and suggested to Stevie that Mike was a way to move forward without Lindsey? He liked Mike’s playing, knew she’d go along with it, and knew the Petty connections would help make up the difference with Lindsey out in terms of ticket sales.

sure, anything is possible.

But the idea that his goal first and foremost wasn't to keep his mealticket from leaving and that that drove his choice of guitarists is naive. Just my opinion.

We could always just ask Mick and see what he says.

[Villavic]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

Mike was not even auditioned. Stevie clearly told Mick what to do with firing Lindsey (if she was going to tour with them) and hire Mike without auditions.

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

Yeah, the guy who brought in Danny Kirwan, Bob Weston, Lindsey Buckingham, Billy Burnette, Rick Vito, and Dave Mason wouldn’t have thought to bring someone like Mike Campbell in on his own.

Those guys didn't audition either to enter Fleetwood Mac, or so I read. I don't know if Stevie indicated Mick about hiring Mike, or not. Probably she did. But the no audition wouldn't be a clue.

[David]

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

Tom Petty died in October and tour negotiations hit a snag in November. Isn’t it possible that in that span of time Mick revisited the TPATH catalogue, connected with Mike’s playing, and suggested to Stevie that Mike was a way to move forward without Lindsey?

Yeah, Mick sat up one day (probably in an orange grove) and said, “I’m going to revisit the TPATH catalogue.”

[lovethemac1]

Originally Posted by David

Yeah, Mick sat up one day (probably in an orange grove) and said, “I’m going to revisit the TPATH catalogue.”

Hahahaha, awesome!!

[elle]

Originally Posted by David

Yeah, Mick sat up one day (probably in an orange grove) and said, “I’m going to revisit the TPATH catalogue.”

love it!

and then, after listening to that catalogue, Mick suggested to Stevie to oust that big bad Lindsey and replace him with poor unemployed Mike Campbell. maybe they can wait through Musicares, but then it's by-bye Linds!

the only unclear thing - why would Mick want to oust Lindsey? oh and why would Azoff say that ultimatum was from Stevie?

heh. so maybe not after all.

[jbrownsjr]

Originally Posted by David

Yeah, Mick sat up one day (probably in an orange grove) and said, “I’m going to revisit the TPATH catalogue.”

I can not stop laughing at this. Remember when Mick is on his death bed and sits up. I think it's "I Want You Back" video.