The Katz Tapes: 1987 Christine McVie Interview

[dougl]

https://thekatztapes.library.northea...neu:4f16j311v/

[Macfan4life]

Oh wow! Thanks so much for posting. This was incredible for so many reasons. It was recorded right at that unique time of the uncertainty of touring after Tango. Chris says she is unsure about a tour because "some people" like touring more than others.
Chris is so optimistic here. She had just married Eddy 6 months before this recording. One funny moment is her Freudian slip when she says " I don't think the drinking and drugs have stopped" Then she catches herself and says, I do think it has stopped and its a good thing. She talks about John and Stevie's sobriety.
The interviewer is not shy and goes there about her 1984 solo album being underrated. Chris admits to being disappointed with the lack of success of the album. She questioned why so many claimed her album sounded too much like Fleetwood Mac as if that was a bad thing. She has incredible memories of making the album and proudly admits its a damn good album and she will always be impressed by it. She talks about doing another solo album and hoped it would be more successful the next year (1988).
The interviewer says he was going to interview Lindsey next. Oh wow I hope someone finds that interview and posts it. His post Tango pre-leaving era is fascinating.
Listening to this interview brought back so many memories of being so excited for the new album in 1987 and possible tour. BTW, who was the original producer of Tango that did not work out? Chris says they hired a producer that the 5 over powered and did not work out.

[SteveMacD]

Didn’t she say it was Russ?

[dougl]

And Lindsey

https://thekatztapes.library.northea...neu:4f16nx22v/

[SteveMacD]

Wow, he was pompous and insufferable.

The whole Bryan Adams/Kodo thing was just so…unnecessary.

Also, I didn’t realize the painting/moving making analogy had been around that long.

And why would they have gotten an English guitarist?!? Not that there’s anything wrong with English guitarists, but that was so…oddly specific. Did he think Clapton was still an option for Fleetwood Mac? Was he thinking Jeff Beck (R.I.P.)?

That said, the irony of him saying in 1987 that he didn’t see himself doing Fleetwood Mac in ten years was kind of priceless.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

Wow, he was pompous and insufferable.

The whole Bryan Adams/Kodo thing was just so…unnecessary.

Also, I didn’t realize the painting/moving making analogy had been around that long.

And why would they have gotten an English guitarist?!? Not that there’s anything wrong with English guitarists, but that was so…oddly specific. Did he think Clapton was still an option for Fleetwood Mac? Was he thinking Jeff Beck (R.I.P.)?

That said, the irony of him saying in 1987 that he didn’t see himself doing Fleetwood Mac in ten years was kind of priceless.

In 1982 (Creem magazine) he said he did not see himself touring after he turned 40

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by dougl

And Lindsey

https://thekatztapes.library.northea...neu:4f16nx22v/

OMG. These are so juicy. I cant get enough. So much information. Usually we get the same questions and answers from the Mac about the breaking up stories told to death.

Who was the band member who's lawyer brought the first producer? Irving? Lindsey was supposed to come in and do his 4 songs and leave. After several days they figured it was not going to work and Lindsey took over.

Lindsey says Big Love and Family Man are the songs from his solo album that was in the works. Lindsey also says its Stevie on Family Man. Wow!!!!!

You can tell Lindsey is not that happy. He does not commit to touring and says if it does happen it should not happen until the next year (1988).

Both Chris and Lindey both sort of bash Mirage for being what the audience wanted. However Lindsey describes Tango as a radio album with lots of singles. What's the difference? IMHO Mirage is a much superior album.

Lindsey was right about a few things in the future. He predicts a year after its release Tango will have a single still floating out there. He says if its the last Mac album its an album he is proud of. It would be the last album of these 5.

These interviews are so unique that they take place right before the band would change forever. Its only weeks before the big blow out at Christine's house. Once Lindsey left all the dynamics changed. So its interesting to read the tea leaves listening to these interviews.



Thanks again for posting. What a find!

[Macfan4life]

Its so funny to remember in the 1980s and then being 40 was really old. Its funny when Lindsey starts counting the ages and guess that Chris and John are now 40. Then the interviewer mentions that Bill Wyman of the Stones is a whopping 50 years old and touring. It was almost shocking and the Stones were mocked for touring in their early 50s

[David]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

Who was the band member who's lawyer brought the first producer? Irving? Lindsey was supposed to come in and do his 4 songs and leave. After several days they figured it was not going to work and Lindsey took over.

When the project started, an engineer named Jason Casaro was slated to produce in order to allow Lindsey a little respite from those chores. At some point after Casaro, there’s a story that the band contacted Nigel Rodgers, the mastermind behind Chic. According to Mick, after a very short time, the band realized that an outsider was not going to be either willing or able to do things the Fleetwood Mac way.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

Didn’t she say it was Russ?

Russ produced her solo album. I did not hear her say he was the producer for Tango unless I missed it. She said the band hired a producer who did not work out. I dont think she mentioned a name.