Would you welcome an extended era of FM without SN?

[ryan4136]

What if SN took "her" break from the band, like LB and CM did? Would you welcome the 4 moving on without Stevie for 4-5 years? Releasing an album, then touring as a quartet again?

How about a set list (after a new album) like this? (A possible/likely combo)

1. Chain
2. Over My Head
3. Tango
4.New CM Song
5.New LB Song
6.NGBA
7. Eyes of the World
8. I know I'm not wrong
9. Think About Me
10. Not that Funny
11.Everywhere
12.New CM Song
13.New LB Song
14.You Make Lovin Fun
15.Steal your heart away
16. Come
17. Hold Me
18.I'm So Afraid
19. Don't Stop
20. Why
20. Go Your Own Way

Encroe
22. Tusk
23. Songbird

[MikeVielhaber]

Yes, absolutely, without hesitation. I find Stevie to be the one who's talents have faded the most with age (among other things) considering the only thing she does is sing. And I don't particularly find her that exciting to watch anymore. I would prefer an album with all 5, but since she's the one holding it up I have no problem with them carrying on without her since they're all on board and eager to do the thing.

If she took a 5 year break I doubt there's a band to come back to. I don't think they're going to last that much longer.

[elle]

Originally Posted by ryan4136

What if SN took "her" break from the band, like LB and CM did? Would you welcome the 4 moving on without Stevie for 4-5 years? Releasing an album, then touring as a quartet again?

would love it!

multiple reasons -

• moving forward, fast and lean, creatively.
  
• finally getting those new songs, now!!
  
• cheaper concert prices.
  
• everybody on the stage having a good time and wanting to be there instead of just going through the motions.
  
• potentially a bit smaller venues (although i guess amphitheaters, but would be nice to get some theaters and even clubs. Spandau Ballet is on a highly profitable tour now and they play bunch of clubs!).
  
• and last but not least the reason why all of the above would be enabled - no more band politics!!

[James89]

People have differing views on all of this but for me, 100% no. Fleetwood Mac without Stevie is just not Fleetwood Mac. I love Christine's and Lindsey's work but no Dreams, GDW, Rhiannon, SOTM, Gypsy etc. I would no longer be interested.

[Silver Springs]

As much as Steve was my "gateway" Mac, I'm just not particularly fond of her music any longer. The occasional song I still love (Silver Springs, Sister Of The Moon, Landslide, etc) but if what we get from a new album with Steve involved is a Say You Will Part 2, then I can do without her. I just can't forgive her for that god awful Silver Girl. I don't know how that got through the first "filter".

[aleuzzi]

I'd welcome an album but the reality is they wouldn't tour without her. The shows wouldn't draw large crowds. And I don't think the remaining four would do a stripped-down tour as Lindsey did a few years ago.

But yes, I'd welcome a new album with new music with open arms.

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

I'd welcome an album but the reality is they wouldn't tour without her. The shows wouldn't draw large crowds. And I don't think the remaining four would do a stripped-down tour as Lindsey did a few years ago.

I think you're right that they'd never tour without her. They're too skittish to even think of doing an album without her.

That said, I'd fully support an album with just the four of them and a tour with just them would be very interesting to me. I mean, I think a tour with all five of them is the most exciting, naturally. It's certainly better with her there and I'd look forward to her return to the fold a few years down the road, but as a once-in-a-lifetime thing, seeing what the four of them would do without her would be interesting.

Michele

[louielouie2000]

Originally Posted by sorcerer999

I believe that they could feasibly continue for another 5-8 years before some of the band members hit 80. But then I see people 80+ like Leonard Cohen who are still out there touring so who knows?

I've long said that I could see the band soldiering on into their 80s. After all, people like Pete Seger & BB King toured right up until the end of their lives, and they were far older than that. Bands like the Stones are a good deal older than FM and still going strong, too.

However, I think we're starting to see the strings unravel with this tour. FM will end up retiring not because of their physical abilities- but because they're just done. Done with the drama, the crazy schedules, etc.

Originally Posted by michelej1

but as a once-in-a-lifetime thing, seeing what the four of them would do without her would be interesting.

This is exactly how I felt when they moved forward with recording SYW minus Christine. I couldn't wait to see how it would alter Stevie and Lindsey's new music. Not because I disliked Christine, but I was just curious how it would distill the sound of the band. The same would go for nixing Stevie (see what I did there? ). I have a feeling Christine & Lindsey would intermesh more without Stevie's presence, whereas the opposite was true of Stevie & Lindsey when Chris left.

[MikeVielhaber]

Originally Posted by michelej1

I think you're right that they'd never tour without her. They're too skittish to even think of doing an album without her.

That said, I'd fully support an album with just the four of them and a tour with just them would be very interesting to me. I mean, I think a tour with all five of them is the most exciting, naturally. It's certainly better with her there and I'd look forward to her return to the fold a few years down the road, but as a once-in-a-lifetime thing, seeing what the four of them would do without her would be interesting.

Michele

I don't really think she's all that critical to the other writers' songs. On Say You Will Lindsey had mostly already completed songs and shoehorned Stevie in on them. I was well familiar with Lindsey's GOS songs when SYW came out and I didn't think Stevie added much to them. I don't really think about it like "I wonder what they would do" because I don't really think it changes what they will do. She wouldn't be part of the creative process on those songs anyway. They just won't perform any songs by Stevie.

[louielouie2000]

I think an album and tour without Stevie would be utterly refreshing- and this is coming from a Stevie fan. Her malcontent and refusal to allow forward motion in this band the last decade is unfair to the band and it's fans. Like someone else pointed out- look how amazing and on point Lindsey and Christine were during Tango when Stevie was largely absent. I think the band would become a much lighter, more enjoyable affair if Stevie were allowed to sit out the next 3-5 years. Then if Stevie wanted to come back for a farewell album and tour, it would be a nice full circle thing.

That being said... this plan pushes the band's timeline out nearly a decade. Do we think these folks will want all of that craziness when they're 80? I'm not so sure.

We also have other factors, too. The band told Christine she couldn't come & go- I have to imagine that would hold true for Stevie, too. And Mick has made it a point to say the Rumours 5 is the very final incarnation of the band, and they won't be altering the lineup from here on out. So the odds of Stevie being allowed to leave and return seem pretty slim. The band is on their home stretch, and they want to finish out in tact so they wrap things up with a pretty bow.

[PenguinHead]

Originally Posted by louielouie2000

I think an album and tour without Stevie would be utterly refreshing- and this is coming from a Stevie fan. Her malcontent and refusal to allow forward motion in this band the last decade is unfair to the band and it's fans. Like someone else pointed out- look how amazing and on point Lindsey and Christine were during Tango when Stevie was largely absent. I think the band would become a much lighter, more enjoyable affair if Stevie were allowed to sit out the next 3-5 years. Then if Stevie wanted to come back for a farewell album and tour, it would be a nice full circle thing.

That being said... this plan pushes the band's timeline out nearly a decade. Do we think these folks will want all of that craziness when they're 80? I'm not so sure.

We also have other factors, too. The band told Christine she couldn't come & go- I have to imagine that would hold true for Stevie, too. And Mick has made it a point to say the Rumours 5 is the very final incarnation of the band, and they won't be altering the lineup from here on out. So the odds of Stevie being allowed to leave and return seem pretty slim. The band is on their home stretch, and they want to finish out in tact so they wrap things up with a pretty bow.

Love your post! Unfortunately Stevie Diva goes her own way. I hope she has the dignity to honor the band and its endpoint, and collaborates on the final Fleetwood Mac album. If not, that shouldn't prevent them from releasing the album only with Lindsey and Christine.

I disagree with the notion that they will fail without Stevie. There are different measures of success. They have nothing more to prove. A Buckingham McVie album has every chance to be an artistic and/or commercial success. Filling stadiums and topping the charts is not the prime objective now. I hope they absolve themselves of the rigors of a tour, and market the album in other ways: A one-time Dance-like broadcast/DVD featuring the new songs, maybe handful of live shows, TV performances, social media events, etc.

It's unrealistic to assume an "extended era" of the band would have much longevity. But I do look forward more solo albums from Stevie, Lindsey, and maybe Christine and Mick. Maybe they will release a series of old performances of the band that have been professionally recorded - ones lingering in the vaults.

[nicepace]

I think it's silly to worry that Lindsey would overproduce a new album in the same style as Tango in the Night. That was then, this is now. From all accounts he's thrilled to work with Christine again. I don't see him ruining her songs with production tricks. His own songs? I would assume that at least one or two will feature some odd gimmicky noises and effects, but as long as it's only one or two songs on an album, I can live with that. Just Lindsey being Lindsey.

[sorcerer999]

Actually, YES! I think this is a great idea! I'd love to see what the foursome of Mick, John, Chris and Lindsey could do by themselves both in the studio and on stage. I think the absence of Stevie could be a fascinating experience. I wouldn't mind if they just mixed, mastered and released what they've already worked on last year!

That being said, I DO HOPE that before the Mac calls it quits, that they at least do one more album/tour with all 5. So if Stevie does take a break to rest and concentrate on her own projects, I hope it's not for too long, and that she'll recover some creativity and have the desire to record with them again. I believe that they could feasibly continue for another 5-8 years before some of the band members hit 80. But then I see people 80+ like Leonard Cohen who are still out there touring so who knows?

But I'm getting off topic, as usual. YES I'd be fascinated to experience a "Stevie-less" Fleetwood Mac record. And this is coming from someone who adores her and her music!

[sorcerer999]

LOL! ^^^ Posted this a couple of minutes after Louie! So yeah, basically what he said!

[FuzzyPlum]

Bring it on!

I'd say any MJCL set list would need to include Isn't It Midnight, Got A Hold On Me, Brown Eyes, Little Lies, Go Insane, Big Love (still) and one more Lindsey solo song. Or, perhaps a few early Mac numbers; Oh Well? Black Magic Woman?
I think it would be a really happy album/tour/time for the band. Just do it guys!!!!

Not gonna happen though.