Bob Welch has died

[SteveMacD]

That album sold so well because of the remaining Rumours-era members presence on it. Anything with Stevie's name is bound to sell more than the 250,000 units Pre-BN albums usually sold.
In Europe, prior to 1975, "anything with Peter Green's name is bound to sell more..."

Apples to apples.

[aleuzzi]

In Europe, prior to 1975, "anything with Peter Green's name is bound to sell more..."

Apples to apples.

I wouldn't agree or disagree with that, since I don't have the European market sales charts.

But that's besides the point anyway. My original opinion stands: Bob Welch's tenure with FM was more substantially musically and historically than Burnette's or Vito's without slights to them as people or musicians.

[aleuzzi]

Lindsey may not have been close to Bob or he may have hated his guts, I don't know. Maybe he didn't feel it was worth mentioning. However, if he had any sentimental feelings about Bob, I'm not surprised that he didn't acknowledge the passing. His father died in 1974 and his brother died 16 years after that and Lindsey still gets choked up trying to dedicate a song to them in concert after all of these years.

Even just making an observation that Greg would have been proud of Cory made him tear up on stage, so if he felt emotion about Bob Welch, he might have wanted to keep it private, especially so soon after the event, rather than standing in front of an audience trying to find words about something so tragic. It's easy to do such a thing if it's someone you admired from afar, but if you actually spent time with them as a human being and have this vision of that person whose face and voice you knew going into a room and taking their life, I can imagine that a polite speech might be a little hard to cook up on the fly.

Michele

I hope you're right here, that his silence speaks to an effort to keep it together on stage. It's a maybe, but one that would speak well of Lindsey if it's true.

[SteveMacD]

But that's besides the point anyway. My original opinion stands: Bob Welch's tenure with FM was more substantially musically and historically than Burnette's or Vito's without slights to them as people or musicians.
No, you missed my point.

Were Jeremy and Danny included because of their contributions to the band? If that's the case, Welch should have been inducted too because his contributions were more successful. Were Jeremy and Danny inducted because they were in a successful line-up? If that's the case, Billy and Rick were in the second most successful line-up. The argument that Billy and Rick were only in a successful version of Fleetwood Mac because Stevie Nicks was in it, and their music as it relates to the band's success wouldn't justify their inclusion into the Hall of Fame could also be made about Danny and Jeremy (much though it kills me to say that).

I personally don't see why Welch, Burnette (the second longest tenure of Fleetwood Mac guitarists), and possibly Vito weren't included. There were many artists in there who've done less.


Then again, Gram Parsons, Clarence White, and Gene Parsons weren't included with The Byrds, and the country-era Byrds were highly influential.

[Johnny Stew]

That's why it makes you think perhaps it was Lindsey, or more crucially, Stevie. If either of them hadn't shown, it would have been a big flurry in the press....*especially* if Stevie didn't show. I love her to death, but what with the royal court that surrounds her such a thing would not surprise me. Majorly disappoint me, but not surprise.

I'd be majorly disappointed and surprised if it were Stevie. It doesn't strike me as her style. Plus, to the best of our collective knowledge as fans, Stevie had no reason to bear a grudge toward Bob or want him blocked from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It would also seem that Bob, in the years after the R&RHoF snub, harbored no ill-will toward Stevie or Lindsey.

In his 1999 Q&A (http://www.fleetwoodmac.net/penguin/qa/bobwelch_qa1.htm) here on The Penguin, he wrote, "I talk to Stevie once or twice a year, and always go to her show if she's in town... Of course my "beef" was not anything to do with Stevie or Lindsey anyway. I haven't talked to Mick, John, or Chris at all, and frankly don't expect to.."

[thenepotist]

I personally don't see why Welch, Burnette (the second longest tenure of Fleetwood Mac guitarists), and possibly Vito weren't included. There were many artists in there who've done less.


Dude you haven't changed a bit.

[SteveMacD]

There have been lots of changes, like playing a one-off show with Bob Pollard and becoming a roadie for Guided by Voices. And that's just the headline.

[David]

Dude you haven't changed a bit.My favorite! From way back! I still have the music you did and listen every so often.

It's interesting how much turmoil the commercialized and superficial RRHOF generates. The whole thing's just an industry and media arm, isn't it?

[bombaysaffires]

I'd be majorly disappointed and surprised if it were Stevie. It doesn't strike me as her style. Plus, to the best of our collective knowledge as fans, Stevie had no reason to bear a grudge toward Bob or want him blocked from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It would also seem that Bob, in the years after the R&RHoF snub, harbored no ill-will toward Stevie or Lindsey.

In his 1999 Q&A (http://www.fleetwoodmac.net/penguin/qa/bobwelch_qa1.htm) here on The Penguin, he wrote, "I talk to Stevie once or twice a year, and always go to her show if she's in town... Of course my "beef" was not anything to do with Stevie or Lindsey anyway. I haven't talked to Mick, John, or Chris at all, and frankly don't expect to.."

That was my initial thinking also JohnnyStew....but the comment that the issue came from a person one wouldn't expect and someone who said or fostered the impression that they'd kept up with Bob over the years....made me wonder about Stevie.

I do agree, though, that the nature of their relationship over the years, certainly in the early years of the LB/SN tenure in the band, made it seem they had a good relationship with Bob. Hence, I'd be really disappointed if it were Stevie. But as the band members themselves often say about themselves, after all these years nothing that could happen would be surprising.

[desertangel]

I thought for a moment it was Stevie too simply because Wendy's Facebook post said a well-known little small-minded person. I never thought of Stevie as small-minded, but then maybe we don't know her like other people might know her.... but then later Wendy said it wasn't Stevie. I don't know who else it could be and at this point, I no longer care because it feels like drama and I can't stand that chit. :distress:

[CADreaming]

It's useless to speculate even though I know it's a normal to be curious after Wendy's original post. Again, she clarified it with:

"Don't try to guess because you couldn't anyway and Bob loved this person and it's over now and Mick is trying to help. I never should have mentioned it. Bob wouldn't want me to or you either LOVE FLEETWOOD MAC."


Lindsey may not have been close to Bob or he may have hated his guts, I don't know. Maybe he didn't feel it was worth mentioning. However, if he had any sentimental feelings about Bob, I'm not surprised that he didn't acknowledge the passing. His father died in 1974 and his brother died 16 years after that and Lindsey still gets choked up trying to dedicate a song to them in concert after all of these years.

Even just making an observation that Greg would have been proud of Cory made him tear up on stage, so if he felt emotion about Bob Welch, he might have wanted to keep it private, especially so soon after the event, rather than standing in front of an audience trying to find words about something so tragic. It's easy to do such a thing if it's someone you admired from afar, but if you actually spent time with them as a human being and have this vision of that person whose face and voice you knew going into a room and taking their life, I can imagine that a polite speech might be a little hard to cook up on the fly.

Michele

I totally agree, Michele.

[thenepotist]

There have been lots of changes, like playing a one-off show with Bob Pollard and becoming a roadie for Guided by Voices. And that's just the headline.

Clearly the boy's still coming "straight outta Dayton". What else, knitting with Kelley Deal?

[wetcamelfood]

Didn't Bob post on the ledge (I think in the Rumours section) that he tried to go see Stevie last time they came to his area on the last tour but Karen Johnston wouldn't let him or Wendy in? I know he didn't think Karen was nice because he said Karen was unsympathetic to disabilities that I guess Wendy has or something.

John

[SteveMacD]

Clearly the boy's still coming "straight outta Dayton". What else, knitting with Kelley Deal?
No, but she has been recording with some friends of mine, so I've seen her around a bit.

[CADreaming]

Didn't Bob post on the ledge (I think in the Rumours section) that he tried to go see Stevie last time they came to his area on the last tour but Karen Johnston wouldn't let him or Wendy in? I know he didn't think Karen was nice because he said Karen was unsympathetic to disabilities that I guess Wendy has or something.

John

When that incident was mentioned on facebook, Wendy's only comments were "Stevie loved Bob, I know that." and "She had no contempt for Bob that she showed me."

I do remember Bob referring to that incident here with "Karen", as he put it.

[HejiraNYC]

Didn't Bob post on the ledge (I think in the Rumours section) that he tried to go see Stevie last time they came to his area on the last tour but Karen Johnston wouldn't let him or Wendy in? I know he didn't think Karen was nice because he said Karen was unsympathetic to disabilities that I guess Wendy has or something.

John

I think you may be referring to these...

And BTW; recently my wife was (THANK GOD) MIS-diagnosed with a fast moving form of liver cancer...We were told, erroneously thank GOD, that the chemo and other treatment could completely bust our lifetime insurance cap....and that we better start thinking about maybe doing some fundraisers...we were panicked..I immediately got on the phone and started calling;....1st Mick Fleetwood...Mick said he would play(we weren't asking for money, just "time and talent)anytime, anywhere...so did Rick Vito...so did Billy Burnette...so did Walter Eagan....so did Jeff Baxter. Stevie Nicks and Lindsey didn't bother to even return my calls. The die is cast...I now know who's got a heart and who doesn't....REALLY got a heart, not the phony heart on sleeve BS that often passes for "empathy" in Hollywood. Sorry to have to say this...Stevie stiffed me and my wife....so did Lindsey....Mick and everybody else came through when we really thought Wendy was at death's door...A misdiagnosis, again, thank God. I will never forget who was a friend....and who wasn't.

Bob Welch
wx-Fleetwood Mac,Capitol Records artist etc. etc.

...and...

Betsy...Thanks for your good wishes ! In Nick's case, I don't think it was a "management protecting the prima-donna" thing...because I called Stevies brother , Chris Nicks too.And Chris is very close to Stevie, like I am with my own sister...So I'm sure he told her...she just didn't want to get involved...too many "other" charity gigs with higher publicity profiles I guess..


BTW, these were culled from the "Sheryl Crow joining Fleetwood Mac" thread from 2009.

So here's my take... the fact that Bob would even consider reaching out to Lindsey and Stevie at that point in time means that he was at least on some sort of speaking terms with them, which theoretically wouldn't be the case if either one of them had banished him from the RRHOF.

Noticeably absent from the "charity gig" post were John and Christine. Is it possible that John has not quite gotten over the lawsuit? John is an enigma... a "mystery to me," if you will. He seems so easy-going, humble and civil, yet I understand he is a dyed-in-the-wool Republican :eek:, which totally flies in the face of anything resembling "sympathetic" or "compassionate." When Louie asked John about Bob being inducted into the RRHOF in his Ledge Q&A, John's reply was decidedly terse and vague:

That's a good question. Maybe he should have been. What do we do about Bob Weston, Dave Walker, Rick Vito, Billy Burnette & Dave Mason? Thanks again! McVie

And when Louie asked him later on whether he kept in touch with past members of FM, John replied:

I don't have any contact with past members of the Band. I saw Peter briefly in London on the last tour. Billy Burnette turns up every once in a while. As does Jeremy. Mick is the one who stays in touch with a lot of them. And there are a lot of them!

At this point, I almost don't want to know who was ultimately behind Bob's exclusion from the RRHOF. The speculation is so much more interesting. :p

[CADreaming]

^That was a separate incident from the backstage thing.

[HomerMcvie]

He seems so easy-going, humble and civil, yet I understand he is a dyed-in-the-wool Republican :eek:, which totally flies in the face of anything resembling "sympathetic" or "compassionate."

Now there's a narrow minded stereotype, if ever I saw one.:mad:

Seriously.

"Liberal" minds are fine with others views, as long as it resembles their own.:laugh:

[HomerMcvie]

Didn't Bob post on the ledge (I think in the Rumours section) that he tried to go see Stevie last time they came to his area on the last tour but Karen Johnston wouldn't let him or Wendy in? I know he didn't think Karen was nice because he said Karen was unsympathetic to disabilities that I guess Wendy has or something.

John

Well, has anyone EVER posted anything nice about Karen? Although, I suspect it's her JOB, to be a Cee U Next Tuesday. It makes for a much better public profile, for the star to be all nicey nice, and "who's that f*cking b*tch who told me to get away from her?":lol:

And I remember Bob posting, at least a couple of years ago, about Wendy's health issues. I can't remember now if he posted exactly what they were or not...

[HejiraNYC]

Now there's a narrow minded stereotype, if ever I saw one.:mad:

Seriously.

"Liberal" minds are fine with others views, as long as it resembles their own.:laugh:

Okay then... name me one, generous, civic-minded, compassionate, humane Republican? Abraham Lincoln doesn't count because he's dead.

[mezzoforte]

Okay then... name me one, generous, civic-minded, compassionate, humane Republican? Abraham Lincoln doesn't count because he's dead.

Pre-2007 John McCain was, I think, a very decent man. Reagan came close. Ultimately, I don't think there are any politicians driven by pure altruism.
Personally, I'd list my entire family...

Oy, Edward, you're making me side with Homer!

Anyway, let's endeavor to keep politics out of it. I will not hold John McVie's party against him.

[Bryan]

Well, has anyone EVER posted anything nice about Karen? Although, I suspect it's her JOB, to be a Cee U Next Tuesday. It makes for a much better public profile, for the star to be all nicey nice, and "who's that f*cking b*tch who told me to get away from her?":lol:

And I remember Bob posting, at least a couple of years ago, about Wendy's health issues. I can't remember now if he posted exactly what they were or not...

She's a subhuman beast. There's NO excusing behaving a certain way towards people because of a job.Manners cost nothing

[HejiraNYC]

Pre-2007 John McCain was, I think, a very decent man. Reagan came close. Ultimately, I don't think there are any politicians driven by pure altruism.
Personally, I'd list my entire family...

Oy, Edward, you're making me side with Homer!

Anyway, let's endeavor to keep politics out of it. I will not hold John McVie's party against him.

I suppose you are right... I should not make pre-emptive judgments based on party affiliation. However, at the same time, I am also experiencing some cognitive dissonance trying to reconcile common decency with the modern Republican party planks. I guess I am so disgusted by the current barrage of anti-intellectual, bigoted, hypocritical rhetoric I read about. I am sure (or at least I would like to think) that John is similarly disgusted and takes a more moderate stance on the issues.

BTW, I know your family is wonderful (despite being Republican). :p They are exempted from my screed.

[michelej1]

John is hilarious. He sounds like the number of past FM members crawl out of woodwork and plague him: like locusts.

Michele

[HomerMcvie]

Pre-2007 John McCain was, I think, a very decent man. Reagan came close. Ultimately, I don't think there are any politicians driven by pure altruism.
Personally, I'd list my entire family...

Oy, Edward, you're making me side with Homer!

Anyway, let's endeavor to keep politics out of it. I will not hold John McVie's party against him.

Yes. And I don't want to talk politics, either. You can't swing a dead cat here, without hitting 50 flaming liberals, so.....:lol:

[HomerMcvie]

She's a subhuman beast. There's NO excusing behaving a certain way towards people because of a job.Manners cost nothing

But why would Stevie tolerate ~that~ representing her, if that's not how she wanted her to act?

[MacShadowsBall]

As far as John goes, I can't see him really caring a great deal one way or the other about the whole Bob Welch hall of fame induction. Just my take on him and his personality. :cool:

[Bryan]

But why would Stevie tolerate ~that~ representing her, if that's not how she wanted her to act?

because of the weird role reversal thing where IT (Karen) seems to have more clout than Stevie does. Basically--''Who's the boss''?

[thenepotist]

No, but she has been recording with some friends of mine, so I've seen her around a bit.

Obviously. Les Nessman as well probably.

[wondergirl9847]

I suppose you are right... I should not make pre-emptive judgments based on party affiliation.

This is why politics makes me sad....because we are judging one another based on some affiliation to some "party" instead of getting to know them. There are people from ALL party affiliations who are good, decent people and you have those that are not-so-good. Judge each individual and don't lump everyone together.

Same with religious affiliations. Don't lump everyone together because we all believe differently. :)

OT: I am having MAJOR log-on issues. Sheesh!

[HomerMcvie]

Obviously. Les Nessman as well probably.

That's Cincy, not Dayton!:lol:

[thenepotist]

That's Cincy, not Dayton!:lol:

Actually he was raised in Dayton. He gets back from time to time.

[HomerMcvie]

Actually he was raised in Dayton. He gets back from time to time.

One of the greatest shows ever. Too bad it's rarely seen anymore.:(

[SteveMacD]

Obviously. Les Nessman as well probably.

Not so much. Actually, I really don't hang out with anybody much outside of the GbV circle. As Homer probably saw, I sometimes even fill in at soundchecks when somebody (Tobin Sprout) is running late. That's where my heart is these days. I rarely listen to much else, since Pollard is so prolific.

[thenepotist]

Not so much. Actually, I really don't hang out with anybody much outside of the GbV circle. As Homer probably saw, I sometimes even fill in at soundchecks when somebody (Tobin Sprout) is running late. That's where my heart is these days. I rarely listen to much else, since Pollard is so prolific.

Well who knows, in the unlikely event that GBV finds themselves inducted in the HOF you may find yourself in the mix as well. I always preferred Pavement myself, but then again I wasn't moving their amps around for them, so...

[thenepotist]

It's been interesting revisiting some of the areas on this site after Bob Welch's untimely death. One thing struck me: It's really lucky that some of those Q and A's exist, because without those there would be very little verified information on the mid-period Fleetwood Mac. God knows there is more than enough about the Buckingham Nicks era, down to a wasted Christine/Stevie youtube video giving birthday greetings to Warner Brothers, and the early blues period is relatively well documented, but without those Q and A's a lot of the Welch era band would have just faded away. Mick is pretty much useless with his recollections, McVie was wasted most of the time, so who else would have known the production details (or lack thereof) of "The Derelict"? Dave Walker obviously. He doesn't have anything better to do, but he helps fill in the blanks, along with the Welch and Weston Q and A. So without those, those records and the stories behind them would have just faded away. The fans are the ones who have kept it alive, and the players seem to be happy to recount their memories, despite some of the inane questions asked (i.e. did you get along with Lindsey? Did you meet Stevie? who f***ing cares?) While their own memories are sometimes sketchy or circumspect (still not sure who played bass on "Revelation"), there is enough info out there now through these sessions to keep the memory of this murky era of the band, which in some ways is my favourite, alive. Very cool, and worth re-reading.

[SteveMacD]

Well who knows, in the unlikely event that GBV finds themselves inducted in the HOF you may find yourself in the mix as well. I always preferred Pavement myself, but then again I wasn't moving their amps around for them, so...
"Funny thing about Matador at 21: After three days and dozens of diverse bands, it turns out everyone was pretty much there to see Guided by Voices."

-L.A. Times (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/10/matador-at-21-night-3-guided-by-voices-yo-la-tengo.html)

[thenepotist]

"Funny thing about Matador at 21: After three days and dozens of diverse bands, it turns out everyone was pretty much there to see Guided by Voices."

-L.A. Times (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/10/matador-at-21-night-3-guided-by-voices-yo-la-tengo.html)

I take it back, I love them. I mean if the TIMES says so...

[gldstwmn]

No, Lindsey hasn't. Lindsey says he doesn't even keep up with John.

Following Bob's death, there was a press report in the obits saying that he was still friendly with Lindsey and, especially, Stevie.

Michele

There are pictures of Bob visiting Stevie backstage post RRHOF on one of her solo tours, so I don't think it's her.

[gldstwmn]

gig" post were John and Christine. Is it possible that John has not quite gotten over the lawsuit? John is an enigma... a "mystery to me," if you will. He seems so easy-going, humble and civil, yet I understand he is a dyed-in-the-wool Republican :eek:, which totally flies in the face of anything resembling "sympathetic" or "compassionate." When Louie asked John about Bob being inducted into the RRHOF in his Ledge Q&A, John's reply was decidedly terse and vague:




I definitely think John would be seriously pissed about the lawsuit and the least likely to get over it. :nod:

[gldstwmn]

I suppose you are right... I should not make pre-emptive judgments based on party affiliation. However, at the same time, I am also experiencing some cognitive dissonance trying to reconcile common decency with the modern Republican party planks. I guess I am so disgusted by the current barrage of anti-intellectual, bigoted, hypocritical rhetoric I read about. I am sure (or at least I would like to think) that John is similarly disgusted and takes a more moderate stance on the issues.

BTW, I know your family is wonderful (despite being Republican). :p They are exempted from my screed.

Maybe I'm just imagining this but didn't John at one point make some comments about tort reform? Honestly though, I don't think him being a Republican has much to do with whatever his stance on Bob was.

[HomerMcvie]

I definitely think John would be seriously pissed about the lawsuit and the least likely to get over it. :nod:

Wendy has now said that it's not Mick OR John.

F*CK, I know it's Chris. Lindsey's my runner up,....but I'm unfortunately, reasonably certain...:(

[gldstwmn]

Wendy has now said that it's not Mick OR John.

F*CK, I know it's Chris. Lindsey's my runner up,....but I'm unfortunately, reasonably certain...:(

Wow. I wonder what her beef with Bob was all about?

[wetcamelfood]

Taking the lawsuit personally must be the main thing but it's disturbing that this seems to fall in line with what we suspected as to why her and Dave Mason were rarely pictured together etc. during the Time era (which was that because of her good friend Steve Winwood's issues with Dave). I didn't think she would get in to the childish stuff of "my friend doesn't like you so I'm not gonna play with you" but maybe she does exhibit this kind of behavior after all?

John

[WhippityP]

This is my first post here so I hate to be disagreeable, but why is Robert Hilburn's version of events more difficult to accept than this enigmatic, in-house, black-balling?

The nominations committee has, in other circumstances been criticized for lacking transparency and standardization. They seem to do whatever they want and base their decisions in marketability rather than merit.

I thought John Lydon's open letter of "regrets" was as cool as the next person, but why were the Sex Pistols nominated before MC5, Television, Wire, Nick Lowe etc.? (I might need to re-check this)

I don't think the individual members of FM are saints. I would probably buy the story if there wasn't a completely believable explanation otherwise. Just because Jerry Garcia put pressure on the committee to nominate every member of the Grateful Dead doesn't mean anyone can or would even think to do this.

I don't mean to be crass, but we all know that Mr. Welch liked a good conspiracy theory.

:angel: Although, to play devil's advocate for a second...As noted in a previous viewer's comment, check out the look exchanged by CM & JM when Bob Welch's name is mentioned in this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGBji-8-3jo

[mezzoforte]

This is my first post here so I hate to be disagreeable, but why is Robert Hilburn's version of events more difficult to accept than this enigmatic, in-house, black-balling?

The nominations committee has, in other circumstances been criticized for lacking transparency and standardization. They seem to do whatever they want and base their decisions in marketability rather than merit.

I thought John Lydon's open letter of "regrets" was as cool as the next person, but why were the Sex Pistols nominated before MC5, Television, Wire, Nick Lowe etc.? (I might need to re-check this)

I don't think the individual members of FM are saints. I would probably buy the story if there wasn't a completely believable explanation otherwise. Just because Jerry Garcia put pressure on the committee to nominate every member of the Grateful Dead doesn't mean anyone can or would even think to do this.

I don't mean to be crass, but we all know that Mr. Welch liked a good conspiracy theory.

:angel: Although, to play devil's advocate for a second...As noted in a previous viewer's comment, check out the look exchanged by CM & JM when Bob Welch's name is mentioned in this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGBji-8-3jo

Before I get totally sucked into these again and spend my evening observing the insane Stevie/Lindsey sexual tension, do you know about when this mention occurs? I've seen the video dozens of times, but don't remember a Bob Welch mention. I guess I've been focused on other things. Like head kisses.

[WhippityP]

Before I get totally sucked into these again and spend my evening observing the insane Stevie/Lindsey sexual tension, do you know about when this mention occurs? I've seen the video dozens of times, but don't remember a Bob Welch mention. I guess I've been focused on other things. Like head kisses.


Oh man....head kisses. :laugh:

Yeah, sorry about posting a 13:00 video without indicating the 'time of incident,' if you will...

It's around 9:26

Bob is mentioned again at 10:22

[chriskisn]

I guess you are all assuming that it is one of the inner five. Perhaps Peter Green refused to be inducted or photographed with FM unless Bob was kept out? :shrug:

[michelej1]

Wow. I wonder what her beef with Bob was all about?

Well, I don't guess she was happy with his lawsuit and, because she wrote with him and was a partner with him to more of an extent than the other guys were, she might have taken it more personally.

Aside from that, Bob was a very funny guy and could be charming, but he wasn't above conflict. He could have had disputes with people for reasons we know nothing about. At any rate, he felt that he was excluded from the RRHOF because someone just plain didn't like him.

Michele

[chriskisn]

I don't mean to be crass, but we all know that Mr. Welch liked a good conspiracy theory.


A quick look at his website would help anyone who thinks this isn't true! :lol:

[mezzoforte]

Now, even if we find out who the culprit was, it won't really change my opinion of him or her. People are complicated, relationships are complicated, and money and fame make these sorts of relationships even more so. There are two sides to every story.

But since I am one to engage in idle gossip, I'm going with Christine.

[Bryan]

I guess you are all assuming that it is one of the inner five. Perhaps Peter Green refused to be inducted or photographed with FM unless Bob was kept out? :shrug:

Ooh yes! maybe he was peeved about 'Cheese in The Hair" ! ! lmao,that always cracks me up in Rock Family Trees:laugh:

[Chris_Lover]

Oh man....head kisses. :laugh:

Yeah, sorry about posting a 13:00 video without indicating the 'time of incident,' if you will...

It's around 9:26

Bob is mentioned again at 10:22

LMFAO! That interview was funny from the start, because of the little "spat" between Chris and John when talking about their marriage, Chris' giggle when Bob's name was mentioned, her long look of disbelief when she saw Lindsey kissing Stevie's head and the simple fact that throughout the interview she was practically gasping for air like a fish! :D

[SteveMacD]

Just looking at Christine, was anybody REALLY shocked she quit the band? She looked like she aged five years just in the span of that interview!

[michelej1]

Just looking at Christine, was anybody REALLY shocked she quit the band? She looked like she aged five years just in the span of that interview!

Christine's hair in the video made me wonder if she'd been sick before then. Of course, by the time they toured, she was wearing extra hair.

Michele

[aleuzzi]

I remember hers and John's tone when Mick mentioned Bob Welch. It was chilling. Mick did not seem to have any malice, though he did nothing to smooth over the moment.

But I still don't think one person in particular has that kind of pull re: RRHOF. I can imagine Christine was loathe to share any honor with Bob at that point, but John and Mick would have had to agree with her in order for this to happen, if indeed it did happen--and I believe it did. If they wanted to push for Bob to be honored, they would have gotten their wish. All three of them were, at the very least, complicit in the RRHOF decision, though I suspect much more than this.

Christine may have looked a tad aged at the time of the dance but her vocal and instrumental chops were in great shape. That's what matters to me.

[aleuzzi]

Christine's hair in the video made me wonder if she'd been sick before then. Of course, by the time they toured, she was wearing extra hair.

Michele

I thought this might be possible, too, though she was wearing short hair for at least a year before the reunion (remember the Two Sticks and a Drum doc?) so maybe it was just a style choice. Long hair = rock star, short hair = suburban lady....that sort of thing...

[Chris_Lover]

so maybe it was just a style choice. Long hair = rock star, short hair = suburban lady....that sort of thing...

I agree with you, Aleuzzi. I think it was only a style choice, a bobs with fringe that was often used in the 90's, but I don't know why she reminds me of Lady Diana, who died that year:

http://blu.stb.s-msn.com/i/33/58DAEA21A87527B227F7C91DD6ED14.jpg

And for the aging, I think Chris was still very very sexy, both in 1997 than in 2009 in the last pics where she was walking out her dogs! :)

[HomerMcvie]

Oh man....head kisses. :laugh:

Yeah, sorry about posting a 13:00 video without indicating the 'time of incident,' if you will...

It's around 9:26

Bob is mentioned again at 10:22

WOW. To me, that smirk speaks volumes.:(

[gldstwmn]

Just looking at Christine, was anybody REALLY shocked she quit the band? She looked like she aged five years just in the span of that interview!

All of their body language is so tense.

[gldstwmn]

WOW. To me, that smirk speaks volumes.:(

Whoa! I just saw that. Miss Christine threw some shade! :shocked:

[bombaysaffires]

Christine's hair in the video made me wonder if she'd been sick before then. Of course, by the time they toured, she was wearing extra hair.

Michele

I have thought the same thing. There are videos/photos during that tour when it seemed pretty obvious to me she was wearing either a wig or hairpieces of some sort.

I just don't think it would be a question of "style" and wanting long hair to be more of a "rock chick"... that really doesn't seem her personality to care about that, and let's face it, they weren't kids in their 20s or even 30s at that point and they were rock legends, so they/she had nothing to prove to anyone in terms of appearances.

I've always wondered about the constant cigarettes, and having come from a family of heavy smokers I've seen how that impacts one's health....

[mezzoforte]

I have thought the same thing. There are videos/photos during that tour when it seemed pretty obvious to me she was wearing either a wig or hairpieces of some sort.

I just don't think it would be a question of "style" and wanting long hair to be more of a "rock chick"... that really doesn't seem her personality to care about that, and let's face it, they weren't kids in their 20s or even 30s at that point and they were rock legends, so they/she had nothing to prove to anyone in terms of appearances.

I've always wondered about the constant cigarettes, and having come from a family of heavy smokers I've seen how that impacts one's health....

She might also just have wanted a bit more hair. Everyone's hair thins a bit with age. I once read that you have half as many hairs at 50 as you do at 15. I don't think Christine was sick--just that she wanted a bit of extra volume and probably used some sort of hair piece or fall.

[michelej1]

Christine may have looked a tad aged at the time of the dance but her vocal and instrumental chops were in great shape. That's what matters to me.

Christine looked beautiful during The Dance. She didn't look aged to me, just the opposite. She looked like she may have had a facelift, but she looked good, not like Joan Rivers. Her face looked great on the DVD and her body was out of this world.

The only thing that looked bad was the airbrushing they did in photos then and for her Meantime publicity, where she did not even resemble herself. That was outrageous. The woman in those pictures was like a stand in, rather than Christine.

As for the RRHOF, um, it was probably her. I'll tell you something, I've never thought she was nice, exactly. She loves her dogs and her brother and his kids and, I think, the other 4 members of FM -- everyone knows the 4 I'm talking aobut. That's all the loyalty I think she needs to have, in the great scheme of things.

Michele

[michelej1]

I've always wondered about the constant cigarettes, and having come from a family of heavy smokers I've seen how that impacts one's health....

Also, let me precede this by saying we can't trust the people on these bulletin boards:laugh:. They're the ones who spread the rumor that she would perform with SYW in London during the SYW tour. So, take it with a grain of salt, but back in the nineties there were rumors that she had dealt with cancer and chemo.

Michele

[bombaysaffires]

Christine looked beautiful during The Dance. She didn't look aged to me, just the opposite. She looked like she may have had a facelift, but she looked good, not like Joan Rivers. Her face looked great on the DVD and her body was out of this world.

The only thing that looked bad was the airbrushing they did in photos then and for her Meantime publicity, where she did not even resemble herself. That was outrageous. The woman in those pictures was like a stand in, rather than Christine.


Michele

Michele, really, you need to get out of my head! ;)

I also thought she looked great during the Dance and somewhere in that time frame appeared to have had *some* kind of work done, especially around the eyes.... but overall she still looks great and cannot get over how effing thin she has stayed as she has aged ......(said with envy)

[michelej1]

I just don't think it would be a question of "style" and wanting long hair to be more of a "rock chick"... that really doesn't seem her personality to care about that, and let's face it, they weren't kids in their 20s or even 30s at that point and they were rock legends, so they/she had nothing to prove to anyone in terms of appearances.



Oh, I think she wanted to look good and she succeeded. She never had the thickest hair anyway, but on top of the hair, it looked like she'd had a face lift. I think all 3 wanted to look good.

Heck, even John dyed his hair for SYW. He wanted to look good as well. As for Mick, He probably thinks he does look good.

I'm sure Lindsey didn't exactly want to be chubby for his return to the spotlight either in 1997. But it was what it was.

Michele

[HomerMcvie]

The only thing that looked bad was the airbrushing they did in photos then and for her Meantime publicity, where she did not even resemble herself. That was outrageous. The woman in those pictures was like a stand in, rather than Christine.

As for the RRHOF, um, it was probably her. I'll tell you something, I've never thought she was nice, exactly. She loves her dogs and her brother and his kids and, I think, the other 4 members of FM -- everyone knows the 4 I'm talking aobut. That's all the loyalty I think she needs to have, in the great scheme of things.

Michele
Yeah, ITM airbrushing was AWFUL. Know what? She probably needed another facelift, and doesn't want to fool with that stuff anymore, and just told them to Photoshop it(even though they went too far).

I HATE HATE HATE it, to think that Bob was kept out, because of Chris' bitterness. My favorite incarnation of the band!
And I agree on not always thinking she was nice. I think she has her little circle that she "lets in", but not the rest of the world. And as much as it's always been my dream to meet her(and hang out and kill a couple bottles of wine, in fantasy land), if she was a total bi*ch, it would break my heart.

[Ulpian]

Yeah, ITM airbrushing was AWFUL. Know what? She probably needed another facelift, and doesn't want to fool with that stuff anymore, and just told them to Photoshop it(even though they went too far).

I HATE HATE HATE it, to think that Bob was kept out, because of Chris' bitterness. My favorite incarnation of the band!
And I agree on not always thinking she was nice. I think she has her little circle that she "lets in", but not the rest of the world. And as much as it's always been my dream to meet her(and hang out and kill a couple bottles of wine, in fantasy land), if she was a total bi*ch, it would break my heart.

It's clear that ultimately they just didn't get on. Whatever else she may be, Christine is a tough old bird and you don't cross her.

[Villavic]

After 22 pages in this thread I've not read all posts but, checking the latests.. I am understanding BW didn't go th RRHOF induction... because Christine didn't want him there?? because of her bitterness? :confused:

Oh sure that's correct. She even forced the Queen to go back to London for Diana's tribute, and not Tony Blair. She probably ordered Nixon to quit after Watergate.. and so on..

Oh, by the way... just for the record... Bob Welch has died. His third wife, Wendy, survives him.

Robert Lawrence Welch, guitarist and songwriter, born 31 July 1946; died 7 June 2012. Rest in Peace.

[HomerMcvie]

After 22 pages in this thread I've not read all posts but, checking the latests.. I am understanding BW didn't go th RRHOF induction... because Christine didn't want him there?? because of her bitterness? :confused:

Oh sure that's correct. She even forced the Queen to go back to London for Diana's tribute, and not Tony Blair. She probably ordered Nixon to quit after Watergate.. and so on..

Oh, by the way... just for the record... Bob Welch has died. His third wife, Wendy, survives him.

Robert Lawrence Welch, guitarist and songwriter, born 31 July 1946; died 7 June 2012. Rest in Peace.
"We" always assumed that it was Mick's fault that Bob wasn't inducted. Wendy pointed out, a few days ago, that it wasn't Mick. Then, she later said it wasn't Mick OR John. When you take into account that Bob was suing for unpaid royalties(and he couldn't have been suing Lindsey or Stevie, in any way, right?[or does the fact that they became full blown members make them liable, too???]{I guess, would the lawsuit involve the members of FM, when HE was a member, or FM, the corporation(any current shareholder)?}). SOOO, if my above ~assumption~ is true, it pretty much only leaves Chris as the one who said she wouldn't attend, if Bob was inducted....

Yeah, we're still all guessing.....:wavey:

[HomerMcvie]

It's clear that ultimately they just didn't get on. Whatever else she may be, Christine is a tough old bird and you don't cross her.

Yeah, if nothing else, we've always known that Chris was never one you'd want to cross. Lord pity da fool who does!

[nicepace]

From Bob's (Wendy's ) FB page comments, a guy named Jimmy Robinson wrote:

Originally Bob was invited some one said , I won't attend if he comes , Mick was put between a rock and a hard place not to say there was not pressure everywhere else either . Mick had no choice but to not invite Bob or he would of had the whole damn mess fall apart in his face , and there would have been no inductions at all ...

On his Facebook page, Jimmy Robinson refers to Bob as his brother-in-law; in other words, they had a personal as well as professional relationship. If Jimmy Robinson made a comment about the situation on Facebook and then took it down, maybe he decided it was disrespectful to Bob's memory to be inciting this sort of speculation. I think Wendy herself has said she wishes she hadn't said anything.

I'm not saying we should stop talking about this. But for myself, before I post anything, either here or on any other internet forum, I will ask myself if I'm being respectful to Bob's memory, and to Wendy's feelings. The answer to that question will guide my decision about whether to post a comment.

[SteveMacD]

Go to about 0:23 or so and watch what happens. I think I see the legendary Christine McVie sarcasm.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rn4Kuv9LyDE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[SteveMacD]

I've heard from every old band members, but ntr from anyone in
Fleetwood Mac, but Mick. All the Seven Souls, and everybody in Avenue M and everybody in The Touch, but Dallas Taylor. Al the Capitol people he worked with and even Carl Bermstein from Woodward and Bertein Water gate fame he was so kind. But I must admit I'n a ilittle hurt by some that haven't called.

Holy Crap! Carl Bernstein is a Bob Welch fan!

[Villavic]

not saying we should stop talking about this. But for myself, before I post anything, either here or on any other internet forum, I will ask myself if I'm being respectful to Bob's memory, and to Wendy's feelings.

I do think we should. Maybe there should be another thread to discuss sarcasms and attitudes.

Robert Lawrence Welch, guitarist and songwriter, born 31 July 1946; died 7 June 2012. Rest in Peace

[aleuzzi]

Holy Crap! Carl Bernstein is a Bob Welch fan!

This made my evening!

[bombaysaffires]

I've heard from every old band members, but ntr from anyone in
Fleetwood Mac, but Mick. All the Seven Souls, and everybody in Avenue M and everybody in The Touch, but Dallas Taylor. Al the Capitol people he worked with and even Carl Bermstein from Woodward and Bertein Water gate fame he was so kind. But I must admit I'n a ilittle hurt by some that haven't called.

Holy Crap! Carl Bernstein is a Bob Welch fan!


Dallas Taylor, inspiration for Stevie's song For What It's Worth?

[Chris_Lover]

I do respect all your opinions and don't want to fight, please understand me. It's time to end the allegations, in respect of Bob and his wife. I just wanted to say something, since I saw my baby was "attacked". First of all, I do not see so much sarcasm in that video, but something different. I'd have definitely reacted like her too, shaking my head and smiling, because Bob was very flashy and flamboyant on stage: nothing wrong, but too much for a quiet and classy lady like her. Bob's behaviour was a little bit "commanding" towards her and I noticed that, being myself a quiet and a little bit shy person too, in the long run sticky and exuberant people starts to bother me too (and I'm NOT a hurtful or bitter person!).
I don't even think Chris is a cruel and ruthless person. She was just annoyed, that is different and obviously she knows the reason why. She was also stressed and had a lot of problems near the end of her marriage, so it's understandable that every little thing irritated her.
Anyway (so I end my final comment in this thread) I don't think Chris has/had enemies, not even Bob, since even in two different ways they were pleasant people. Only the two of them knew what happened and frictions started before the lawsuit. Two people can't always get along, or do it only to make people happy, specially if they are so different (not only temperamentally).
I'm sure his wife is not happy that after his death fans started to fight about wich members of FM was more bastard than the other towards Bob, trying to find the "monster" and put it to shame, etc...I'm sure she now want people to stand united and pray for his soul and for her, since she will need a lot of strenght to go on now.
I read on her FB page that she'd like to put a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Bob, so she's asking people some advices on how to do it. Maybe some of you could help her.
This is only my opinion on the whole story as a Chris fan, with all due respect to Bob, his family and wife (to which my condolences goes out) and all his fans, 'cos I'll never blame Chris for what happened.

[Macfanforever]

Heres interview with Dick Clark with Bob on American Bandstand.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nZIgHEnC5qY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[wetcamelfood]

Separated at birth: Bob Welch & Joe Thornton? :)

John

[CADreaming]

Dallas Taylor, inspiration for Stevie's song For What It's Worth?

Thank you!

And, RIP Bob.

[holidayroad]

Heres interview with Dick Clark with Bob on American Bandstand.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nZIgHEnC5qY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Thanks for posting this!

[BTFLCHLD]

put the laptop away wendy.
i rather wish she would have left bob's FB standalone as a memorial page with his musings. starting her own page, and perhaps offering up one post on bob's with a link to her fb, would have been more appropriate.

[nailatixela]

put the laptop away wendy.
i rather wish she would have left bob's FB standalone as a memorial page with his musings. starting her own page, and perhaps offering up one post on bob's with a link to her fb, would have been more appropriate.

She seems very technology (or at least FB) illiterate. I'm not sure she knows how to set up and get started with her own account. I think her musings are very interesting and insightful...I've never seen anything like it. Plus, I think the facebook page and connecting to others on it is helping her cope.

[mezzoforte]

She seems very technology (or at least FB) illiterate. I'm not sure she knows how to set up and get started with her own account. I think her musings are very interesting and insightful...I've never seen anything like it. Plus, I think the facebook page and connecting to others on it is helping her cope.

Exactly.
Fans may not like some of the things she has to say (she's admitted that she shouldn't have said some of them), but the woman is going through hell. I can't criticize her for trying to sort through things in any way she sees fit.

[jbrownsjr]

Exactly.
Fans may not like some of the things she has to say (she's admitted that she shouldn't have said some of them), but the woman is going through hell. I can't criticize her for trying to sort through things in any way she sees fit.

Agreed. I'm happy just to give her a little love and empathy.

[skcin]

I'm sorry if I missed mention of this already, but like Villavic I am having a hard time wading through the "who hates who" posts to find any further info on Bob's death. I noticed this & wasn't sure if it was old news; it could very well be. In any case, it makes me so very sad:

http://www.spin.com/#articles/best-coast-mgmt-cover-fleetwood-mac-tribute-comp

Last month, Randall Poster, the veteran music supervisor behind last year's star-studded, ridiculously excellent Rave On, Buddy Holly compilation, announced that he would be collecting and releasing a similar tribute record for the royal family of 1970s folk rock, Fleetwood Mac.

Now, details of that compilation have surfaced, per CoS. The disc is due August 14 via Hear Music/Concord, the same label duo that released Rave On.... The record, Just Tell Me That You Want Me, will feature covers by Antony Hegarty, Washed Out, the Kills, MGMT, and Best Coast, the latter of whom has previously professed their love for Fleetwood Mac musically with a cover of "Storms" (they're set to furnish "Rhiannon" for the album). In the announcement last month, Poster said the track listing (below) was chosen with the intention of showcasing the band's multi-era career. Judging by his previous work with Rave On... and film soundtracks like those of Fantastic Mr. Fox, Hugo, Revolutionary Road, and just about a million others, it's safe to say this collection won't be too shabby either (don't expect anything straightforward out of Antony's "Landslide" cover, though). Hear the New Pornographers' contribution to the record, a cover of "Think About Me," below.

The announcement of these details follow the recent death of former Fleetwood guitarist Bob Welch, who committed suicide earlier this month after doctors told him he would not recover from spinal surgery he underwent earlier this year and would have to be cared for by his wife.

[PenguinHead]

Heres interview with Dick Clark with Bob on American Bandstand.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nZIgHEnC5qY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

That's probably, despite the dated hair style, the best looking version of Bob I've ever seen. He appears very healthy, and the full fro and beard frames his face well.

[PenguinHead]

I thought this might be possible, too, though she was wearing short hair for at least a year before the reunion (remember the Two Sticks and a Drum doc?) so maybe it was just a style choice. Long hair = rock star, short hair = suburban lady....that sort of thing...

Hair is not a subject that ever really crosses my mind, but this thread made me think: some women change their hair style at certain points in their life. I think Christine realized as she got older that the longer hairstyles of her past just accentuated her age. She was very smart to have it styled in a more mature manner.
.
Stevie, alas, has held on to the very long hair (extentions?). She pulls it off sometimes, but she's starting to look a tad creepy. I wish she would take Chris's cue, and do something more approriate for her age. And burn all of her black dresses.

[aleuzzi]

That's probably, despite the dated hair style, the best looking version of Bob I've ever seen. He appears very healthy, and the full fro and beard frames his face well.

Is this a wig he has on? His hair is pretty full here and it's really receding on the earlier mid-70s solo records.

[HomerMcvie]

Is this a wig he has on? His hair is pretty full here and it's really receding on the earlier mid-70s solo records.

I've always wondered that, too.

[forever]

I'm sorry if I missed mention of this already, but like Villavic I am having a hard time wading through the "who hates who" posts to find any further info on Bob's death. I noticed this & wasn't sure if it was old news; it could very well be. In any case, it makes me so very sad:

http://www.spin.com/#articles/best-coast-mgmt-cover-fleetwood-mac-tribute-comp

That news has been out a little while and is very sad indeed. He was still writing, recording and producing a few months ago and sounded really happy.

[michelej1]

That news has been out a little while and is very sad indeed. He was still writing, recording and producing a few months ago and sounded really happy.

So interesting that his last public post mentioned his surgery too. Sometimes Twitter and Facebook are chilling. On Twitter, you can see something someone typed with their own fingers just hours or minutes before they passed away. That just makes the suddenness of death all the more real or the line between life and death all the more unreal.

My dad called me a few hours before he had his stroke in 2005 and I always kept the phone bill, showing the long distance phone call.

Michele

[bombaysaffires]

So interesting that his last public post mentioned his surgery too. Sometimes Twitter and Facebook are chilling. On Twitter, you can see something someone typed with their own fingers just hours or minutes before they passed away. That just makes the suddenness of death all the more real or the line between life and death all the more unreal.

My dad called me a few hours before he had his stroke in 2005 and I always kept the phone bill, showing the long distance phone call.

Michele

My dad accepted my invitation to Facebook the morning that he died. He accepted about 8 am and had a massive heart attack working in his yard around 1pm. We live on opposite coasts and so when I got the call I scrambled to get to the airport and get to Boston, and then it was a blur getting through the funeral and all that... It was about a week or so later that I logged onto Facebook and saw the message that he accepted my invitation. Totally freaked me out; it was like seeing a ghost.

[WildHearted]

So interesting that his last public post mentioned his surgery too. Sometimes Twitter and Facebook are chilling. On Twitter, you can see something someone typed with their own fingers just hours or minutes before they passed away. That just makes the suddenness of death all the more real or the line between life and death all the more unreal.

My dad called me a few hours before he had his stroke in 2005 and I always kept the phone bill, showing the long distance phone call.

Michele

My friend from high school tweeted at like 9 pm about being bored and having nothing to do. She was texting a few people around 10:45. The next morning everyone found out that at 11 pm, she lost control of the car on the way to a friends house, ran off an embankment, and hit a tree.

[aleuzzi]

Just thought I'd repost one of my favorite FM clips:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhKrA-Z68Cs

As Robert Christgau says of "Lay it All Down" on Future Games: "These white blues (and hippie rockabilly) veterans shouldn't have to depend on new recruit Bob Welch's deftly metallized r&b extrapolation for rock and roll, but unless you count the studio jam, they do."

[jbrownsjr]

Just thought I'd repost one of my favorite FM clips:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhKrA-Z68Cs

As Robert Christgau says of "Lay it All Down" on Future Games: "These white blues (and hippie rockabilly) veterans shouldn't have to depend on new recruit Bob Welch's deftly metallized r&b extrapolation for rock and roll, but unless you count the studio jam, they do."

Awesome!:blob1:

[desertangel]

Hey folks... Wendy and the Welch Warriors would love it if you would sign:

http://www.petitiononline.com/bobwelch/petition.html

...this is for the RRHOF.

Many thanks! :xoxo:

[aleuzzi]

Awesome!:blob1:

I agree! One view of this and you can see how energizing he could be on stage. You'll be missed, Bob!

[TrueFaith77]

I agree with the sentiment but I actually think all 15 members should be inducted.

[wetcamelfood]

I agree with the sentiment but I actually think all 15 members should be inducted.

15? Which one gets shafted?

John

[HomerMcvie]

I agree with the sentiment but I actually think all 15 members should be inducted.

Well, I can see how people like Dave Walker, and Bekka(who is one of my favorite people) might be excluded, only because they were a blip, in the time line....

But an INTEGRAL member, who was on five albums, writing, singing, arranging, and playing? Gimme a freaking break! One bitter member kept him out, and I don't care if it is my favorite member. He died, with it still bothering him, that he wasn't a member, and the person who kept him out should be ashamed.

[aleuzzi]

Well, I can see how people like Dave Walker, and Bekka(who is one of my favorite people) might be excluded, only because they were a blip, in the time line....

But an INTEGRAL member, who was on five albums, writing, singing, arranging, and playing? Gimme a freaking break!

This is precisely what I think, too.

As Steve Carr noted in one of his two books on the band, both Fleetwood and Christine Mcvie have gone on record as saying they felt Welch was more central to the band than even Peter Green. You can't undo acknowledgments like that without some people at least taking notice. Unfortunately, not enough people have...

[NoFear♥OnlyLove]

So, the RRHOF had intended for Bob to be included then???

[HomerMcvie]

Depends on who you ask...

IMO No. It was the RRHOF who overlooked Welch, and not the band or any member of it.

http://blog.cleveland.com/pdextra/2012/06/rock_and_roll_hall_of_fame_snu.html

Others are saying that a member of the band held the RRHOF's feet to the fire to NOT induct him. Or that they had a responsibility to try and persuade the RRHOF to induct him which they didn't uphold for personal reasons.

There surely have been more possible versions of events discussed, but that's what I'm remembering right now.
Bob's WIFE is saying that one of the members refused to attend the ceremony, if he was inducted. And that it wasn't Mick or John. Take that for what you will. I take it as the truth.

[HomerMcvie]

Fair enough. I should have specifically said that Bob's wife is one of many people who support this theory. Or perhaps that she the main supporter of this idea? Bob himself said things to this effect in (I think) '04 (maybe at other times too).

I didn't fail to give appropriate details on that side of the argument intentionally. I hope it didn't seem that way. :sorry:

I want to be clear that the "official" RRHOF story is just what I believe is the most plausible version of events, and not absolute truth.

I have a number of specific reasons for believing this, but since this is a sensitive topic I'm going to keep them to myself.

Well, there could be more than one truth. Even if Wendy's story is 100% accurate, that doesn't necessarily mean that something else didn't occur, of which she's unaware.

[Villavic]

I don't know now if this a thread about Bob's death and a tribute to him, or about just the RRHOF episode.
I don't know if in 1998 we had a thread about this episode that long. I do remember we talked about all the important missing members in the induction ceremony, but can't remember if we were that upset about Bob not being there or a member forcing the RRHOF to exclude him.

I'm not sure is it's funny or unfair, that we have not discussed this while Bob was alive. Or at least I can't remember. And if we did, I'm sure it wasn't a 24 pages thread.

It's impossible to be sure but I think that right now, wherever Bob is, he doesn't care anymore about that RRHOF induction.

And I hope this does not sound shocking but, what happens is that I find so ironic to talk about this now... But if I had posted a poll before that induction,, who do you prefer to be included, Christine or Bob? (or Lindsey or Bob? Stevie or Bob?..) in any case I'm sure Bob had not won.

Once again, Robert Lawrence Welch, guitarist and songwriter, born 31 July 1946; died 7 June 2012. Rest in Peace please.

[TrueFaith77]

Well, I can see how people like Dave Walker, and Bekka(who is one of my favorite people) might be excluded, only because they were a blip, in the time line....

But an INTEGRAL member, who was on five albums, writing, singing, arranging, and playing? Gimme a freaking break! One bitter member kept him out, and I don't care if it is my favorite member. He died, with it still bothering him, that he wasn't a member, and the person who kept him out should be ashamed.

who dat? what's the scoop?

[MacShadowsBall]

I've been reading all the posts and find this all interesting, but perhaps a new thread discussing the RRHOF controversy is needed? Maybe moving certain posts to that hypothetical thread? :shrug:

[SteveMacD]

I think this answers everything.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/blogs/alternate-take/bob-welchs-missing-music-the-fleetwood-mac-years-20120621#ixzz1yZFOfvYy

Bwelchhypnotized
Bob was always into the now.. Christine wrote that song and she knew nothing about Bob, nor has she bothered to contact me or even send a card. *Ask her why he's not in the H&R Hall of Fame.

[Street_Dreamer]

I think this answers everything.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/blogs/alternate-take/bob-welchs-missing-music-the-fleetwood-mac-years-20120621#ixzz1yZFOfvYy

Slimmed back to five after Walker got canned, Fleetwood Mac quickly made Mystery to Me, well-produced but bland, with an astonishingly bad cover (a garish painting of a crying gorilla eating a cake) and a striking exception to the general mood in Welch's "Hypnotized."

Nonsense! MTM is one of the best album covers of any Fleetwood Mac record!

Matt

[SteveMacD]

Hell, it's a WAY better cover than HAHTF, which was basically the same band!!!


(That one was just plain creepy... BTW, F*CK Jerry Sandusky...)

[vivfox]

Hell, it's a WAY better cover than HAHTF, which was basically the same band!!!


It's a way better cover than Tusk.

[wetcamelfood]

Can't judge a book (album) by the cover. :)

John

[HomerMcvie]

who dat? what's the scoop?

Wendy has said that a bitter person in FM kept Bob out, and that it's not Mick or John.

She kept saying that she wants to come out and tell the truth. We'll see....

I can't see Lindsey or Stevie being that person....(possibly Lindsey, but I doubt it)....:shocked:

[poetinmyheart]

It's sad that it's even come to this. My feeling is that Bob should have been included, but then one never knows what went on behind the scenes. There's perhaps much much more to this whole story. None the less, very sad.

[chiliD]

Wendy has said that a bitter person in FM kept Bob out, and that it's not Mick or John.

She kept saying that she wants to come out and tell the truth. We'll see....

I can't see Lindsey or Stevie being that person....(possibly Lindsey, but I doubt it)....:shocked:

Well, ****, let's blame Danny Kirwan...:shrug:

[BombaySapphire3]

Well, ****, let's blame Danny Kirwan...:shrug:

Why not Bob Weston ?Since he 's no longer around to answer to the charges.

[SteveMacD]

Why not Bob Weston ?Since he 's no longer around to answer to the charges.
1. He wasn't inducted himself.

2. He remained friends w/ Welch.

[SteveMacD]

When Wendy said Christine has not "bothered to contact me or even send a card. *Ask her why he's not in the H&R Hall of Fame," I think the mystery is solved.

[HomerMcvie]

When Wendy said Christine has not "bothered to contact me or even send a card. *Ask her why he's not in the H&R Hall of Fame," I think the mystery is solved.

I think so, too. My favorite member is a bitter *****. FML. To be honest, though, I'm really not surprised...:shocked:

She's still my favorite member, but my opinion has changed, somewhat.

[iamnotafraid]

I think the mystery is solved.


Sometimes it's better not to know.

[jbrownsjr]

I think so, too. My favorite member is a bitter *****. FML. To be honest, though, I'm really not surprised...:shocked:

She's still my favorite member, but my opinion has changed, somewhat.

Who knew having a friend sue her was one of her buttons. :lol::shocked:

[MacShadowsBall]

When Wendy said Christine has not "bothered to contact me or even send a card. *Ask her why he's not in the H&R Hall of Fame," I think the mystery is solved.

I realize that Christine doesn't live under a rock, but does she even now about his passing? I guess we are just assuming, but you know what they say about assuming...;)

For that matter, does Christine know about Stevie's mom passing?

[michelej1]

She's still my favorite member, but my opinion has changed, somewhat.

My opinion about Wendy has changed, somewhat. I mean, I didn't know anything about her before, except what Bob wrote. Now, I see her as a person more and I realize that she's in pain and probably lonely and scared, but the impression I'm left with is not a good one. Still, I know that anger is the second stage of grief, so in her place, maybe I'd be doing the same thing. I don't know.

Michele

[WildHearted]

I realize that Christine doesn't live under a rock, but does she even now about his passing? I guess we are just assuming, but you know what they say about assuming...;)

For that matter, does Christine know about Stevie's mom passing?

I find it hard to imagine that she doesn't know about Bob's. That was very heavily reported. Then again, I knew people who hadn't heard about Michael Jackson's passing months after the fact... :shocked:

As for Stevie's mother, well, that would depend on how close the two of them really still are or perhaps, how many common links there still are between them that might be inclined relay the message. I suppose.

[michelej1]

We have no reason to think the lovely CAP is a total recluse. If nothing else, she keeps up with her own family and I'm sure that she has nieces and nephews (and great nieces and nephews) who would tell her about Welch's death, even if it was possible that she wouldn't have learned about it herself immediately.

Heck, even when she walks those dogs I'm sure some passerby would tell her about Bob.

Michele

[aleuzzi]

I realize that Christine doesn't live under a rock, but does she even now about his passing? I guess we are just assuming, but you know what they say about assuming...;)

For that matter, does Christine know about Stevie's mom passing?

She would have to be living under a rock for her not to know. At the very least someone in her family told her, and certainly Mick must have called.

I think the closer any of us gets to knowing the actual people we've idolized for decades, we're likely to be disappointed or disillusioned that they're not these fantastic human beings we through they were. They are fallible--petty, occasionally mean-spirited or reckless...a lot like people I know in my day-to-day life.

.................


I was listening to Bob's "Watch the animals" from "The Other One" record. It is so wonderful! I've been hitting repeat on my ipod. I guess in the end this is what Bob really wanted--people out there to hear and appreciate his music.

[michelej1]

I think the closer any of us gets to knowing the actual people we've idolized for decades, we're likely to be disappointed or disillusioned that they're not these fantastic human beings we through they were. They are fallible--petty, occasionally mean-spirited or reckless...a lot like people I know in my day-to-day life.


Look, they're a lot like me. If I have cheated someone out of money or abetted others who did, then I deserve to be sued. But if someone who was once a partner and friend sues me and I think it's unfair, I'd probably try to hurt them in retaliation if I could.

Just from his posts here, Bob often lashed out when he felt hurt or insulted. It's a human reaction.

And I can't think of anything that Christine has done that would make anyone think she was a wonderful person anyway. She doesn't come off that way to me. I've always seen her as very funny, very talented, but a little cool and irritable. I enjoyed that about her.

As for Wendy, she already said that the person who excluded Bob said they kept in touch with him when they really did not. She thinks that they are not only cruel, but a hypocrite. Given that, I don't know why she cares whether or not they sent her a card. Why would you want a card from someone you think is an uncaring phony? Unless they are expressing true remorse over an exclusion that happened 14 years ago, I don't know why getting a perfunctory Hallmark card from them would make you feel any better. Personally, I think it would make me feel worse and angrier.

Michele

[aleuzzi]

If I have cheated someone out of money or abetted others who did, then I deserve to be sued. But if someone who was once a partner and friend sues me and I think it's unfair, I'd probably try to hurt them in retaliation if I could.



Michele

Precisely.

[SteveMacD]

Even Debbie Harry didn't prevent others from Blondie from being inducted. She just refused to let them play that night. Same for Traffic with Dave Mason. One can be a stone cold a-hole without denying another of what's their's.

[BombaySapphire3]

Even Debbie Harry didn't prevent others from Blondie from being inducted. She just refused to let them play that night. Same for Traffic with Dave Mason. One can be a stone cold a-hole without denying another of what's their's.

Agreed..sheesh what a hag.

[iamnotafraid]

I'd probably try to hurt them in retaliation if I could.




Note to self...
Don't make Michele angry.

[michelej1]

Note to self...
Don't make Michele angry.

Angry. She may also have been hurt too, moreso than John or Mick, since she and Bob collaborated.


Michele

[iamnotafraid]

Angry. She may also have been hurt too, moreso than John or Mick, since she and Bob collaborated.


Michele

Oh, I wasn't even talking about Wendy.
It was more what you wrote about your
feelings.

I don't really have an opinion about Bob's
wife's feelings or thoughts. People aren't
themselves after such a tragic event. She'll
just need time to deal with this.

The Hall Of Fame is or should be meaningless
now.

[aleuzzi]

Let's not forget that the whole lawsuit was a terrible irony for all parties involved after they had suffered as a team through the Clifford Davis fiasco. So for Bob to sue them--even if he was technically right to do so (and I'm not saying he was since I don't know)--must have really stung.

[aleuzzi]

Oh, I wasn't even talking about Wendy.
It was more what you wrote about your
feelings.

I don't really have an opinion about Bob's
wife's feelings or thoughts. People aren't
themselves after such a tragic event. She'll
just need time to deal with this.

The Hall Of Fame is or should be meaningless
now.

I think Michelle was talking about Christine, not Wendy.

[iamnotafraid]

I think Michelle was talking about Christine, not Wendy.

I could be confused. But...
the note to self was about
Michelej (I think).

[michelej1]

I think Michelle was talking about Christine, not Wendy.

Yes, I was.

As for Wendy, I think Bob felt the same way that she does now and she's expressing what he hinted at, during his lifetime, but obviously their feelings are colored, so I wouldn't feel that what they say is objectively true.

The fact is, when it's personal, it's hard to be objective about anything. That's true of people on both sides of the issue.

Michele

[iamnotafraid]

But if someone who was once a partner and friend sues me and I think it's unfair, I'd probably try to hurt them in retaliation if I could.


Michele


Not to derail this thread, but my comment was about
Michele's words "I'd probably try to hurt them in retaliation
if I could". The "I'd" being Michele.

Though I said it jokingly about not making Michele mad, you
guys can understand what I'm writing, right?

[michelej1]

Not to derail this thread, but my comment was about
Michele's words "I'd probably try to hurt them in retaliation
if I could". The "I'd" being Michele.

Though I said it jokingly about not making Michele mad, you
guys can understand what I'm writing, right?

We both understood what you said. We weren't even reacting to that part of your sentence. We knew what you meant about that, but we were talking about Wendy and Christine and the 1994 lawsuit.

Michele

[HomerMcvie]

My opinion about Wendy has changed, somewhat. I mean, I didn't know anything about her before, except what Bob wrote. Now, I see her as a person more and I realize that she's in pain and probably lonely and scared, but the impression I'm left with is not a good one. Still, I know that anger is the second stage of grief, so in her place, maybe I'd be doing the same thing. I don't know.

Michele

Well, and she's not very internet savvy(saying that someone had to show her how to do some of this stuff), so realize that she's also new to "internet etiquette". She's not discovered the "self edit" button, yet!

But she's going through all sorts of emotions, and think all the support she's receiving on FB, is helping her sort through things.

[jbrownsjr]

Look, they're a lot like me. If I have cheated someone out of money or abetted others who did, then I deserve to be sued. But if someone who was once a partner and friend sues me and I think it's unfair, I'd probably try to hurt them in retaliation if I could.

Just from his posts here, Bob often lashed out when he felt hurt or insulted. It's a human reaction.

And I can't think of anything that Christine has done that would make anyone think she was a wonderful person anyway. She doesn't come off that way to me. I've always seen her as very funny, very talented, but a little cool and irritable. I enjoyed that about her.

As for Wendy, she already said that the person who excluded Bob said they kept in touch with him when they really did not. She thinks that they are not only cruel, but a hypocrite. Given that, I don't know why she cares whether or not they sent her a card. Why would you want a card from someone you think is an uncaring phony? Unless they are expressing true remorse over an exclusion that happened 14 years ago, I don't know why getting a perfunctory Hallmark card from them would make you feel any better. Personally, I think it would make me feel worse and angrier.

Michele

I could not have said this better myself. All of it.. 100% spot on..

[jbrownsjr]

^^ When did Christine become this sweet wonderful person? I often think of Patsy on AB FAB when I think of Christine. Smoking, drinking champagne, and wondering where her Christian Lacroix is darling! Is it really Lacroix darling?

[Wouter Vuijk]

^^ When did Christine become this sweet wonderful person? I often think of Patsy on AB FAB when I think of Christine. Smoking, drinking champagne, and wondering where her Christian Lacroix is darling! Is it really Lacroix darling?

:lol::lol::lol::lol::wavey:

[desertangel]

I had a similar reaction when my father passed away... I didn't get much, if any, sympathy from the people around me and it was a shock. In many ways it made my grieving process a lot more painful. Whether that was a reflection on me as a person and my relationships, or the people around me, I don't know, but I had to stop caring so I could move on. I think Wendy was expecting some people that were close to Bob to reach out to her because right now she could use all the love she can get. I get the feeling she and Bob lived their lives rather reclusively and maybe at the expense of close human relationships. Maybe I feel that way because that's what I've done with my own life and I'm either projecting or recognizing. Sometimes a Hallmark card makes all the difference in the world. :o

[michelej1]

I get the feeling she and Bob lived their lives rather reclusively and maybe at the expense of close human relationships. Maybe I feel that way because that's what I've done with my own life and I'm either projecting or recognizing. Sometimes a Hallmark card makes all the difference in the world. :o

But from her posts, she's getting an outpouring of love and support. That doesn't make her house feel any less empty, but if it's cards and calls she wants, I think she's gotten an abundance, because Bob's death did gain world wide attention and shock and many more people than expected have responded.

Michele

[desertangel]

True. One thing she'll discover as time goes on is that even though there are those whose reactions, or lack thereof, may be shocking right now, equally the support she's receiving from perfect strangers will replace what's lacking. It may or may not change the way she feels about some of those people. It hurts, there's no doubt about that. These things in life have a way of doing that.

[holidayroad]

But from her posts, she's getting an outpouring of love and support. That doesn't make her house feel any less empty, but if it's cards and calls she wants, I think she's gotten an abundance, because Bob's death did gain world wide attention and shock and many more people than expected have responded.

Michele

I agree with this. When someone dies, sometimes all you want is for someone other than yourself to realize that this person was special and to know that something they did meant something to others.

[jbrownsjr]

But from her posts, she's getting an outpouring of love and support. That doesn't make her house feel any less empty, but if it's cards and calls she wants, I think she's gotten an abundance, because Bob's death did gain world wide attention and shock and many more people than expected have responded.

Michele

I'm very glad Bob Welch's death gained worldwide attention. He deserved it. He was one of my favorite.

[HomerMcvie]

Is this a wig he has on? His hair is pretty full here and it's really receding on the earlier mid-70s solo records.

You know, some guy named Fred just posted a BUNCH of pics of Bob on his FB, and if you go through the years, he only GAINED hair. Now, the last time I checked my comb, it don't work like that!:lol:
Go there and look through about 30 pics. The later ones had to be wigs/hairpieces(whatever you want to call them).

[WildHearted]

You know, some guy named Fred just posted a BUNCH of pics of Bob on his FB, and if you go through the years, he only GAINED hair. Now, the last time I checked my comb, it don't work like that!:lol:
Go there and look through about 30 pics. The later ones had to be wigs/hairpieces(whatever you want to call them).

Maybe he got hair plugs.

[HomerMcvie]

Maybe he got hair plugs.

Maybe. But the later looking "wig" pics are really curly, leading me to think they're probably wigs.

[michelej1]

There's a Facebook Tribute for Bob Welch on July 21, 2012

https://www.facebook.com/events/263348937104323/

July 21 at 1:00pm until July 22 at 8:00pm in EDT.

In Celebration: The Life of Bob Welch

Facebook Event On Line: The Life of Bob Welch

Celebrating the life of Bob Welch, Date: 7/21/​12 1-8:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time 12:00pm to 7:00pm Central Standard Time with videos,music,photos,conversation​,interviews, and a few surprises too. Promoting the signing of the Petition to Induct Bob Welch to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Join us for this event, and be counted!

[holidayroad]

There's a Facebook Tribute for Bob Welch on July 21, 2012

https://www.facebook.com/events/263348937104323/

July 21 at 1:00pm until July 22 at 8:00pm in EDT.

In Celebration: The Life of Bob Welch

Facebook Event On Line: The Life of Bob Welch

Celebrating the life of Bob Welch, Date: 7/21/​12 1-8:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time 12:00pm to 7:00pm Central Standard Time with videos,music,photos,conversation​,interviews, and a few surprises too. Promoting the signing of the Petition to Induct Bob Welch to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Join us for this event, and be counted!

Thank you so much for posting about this.

[StandbackStevie]

below is a link to leave a message about bob on a site that deals with obituarary messages for loved one's that passed this is for bob welch you can leave a message on here its to leave a message to the family.


http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/chicagosuntimes/guestbook.aspx?n=bob-welch&pid=157964920

[michelej1]

Posted Jul 06, 2012 @ 04:09 PM Peoria Journal Star
http://www.pjstar.com/blogs/mindingbiz/x1271219757/Non-success-story-Leaving-Fleetwood-Mac-just-before-the-groups-attains-superstardom

Non-success story #?: Leaving Fleetwood Mac just before the groups attains superstardom

By Steve Tarter

The recent death of musician Bob Welch (a suicide at the age of 65) is yet another reminder of the slippery slope of success.

Never heard of Welch? He was a member of the super-group Fleetwood Mac just before they became super.

Welch sang and played guitar for the British-based group from 1971 to 1974, composing songs like “Sentimental Lady” and “Hypnotized.”

After Welch left the group, a couple named Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham joined the band and the rest, as they say, is history.

Mac’s two albums, post-Welch, happened to be monsters, “Fleetwood Mac” and "Rumours.”

The first release had songs like “Monday Morning,” “Landslide” and “Rhiannon” while “Rumours,” which wound up selling 40 million copies worldwide, brought us “Don’t Stop,” “Go Your Own Way” and “Second Hand News.”

Fleetwood Mac had always been an interesting and inventive band, but with Nicks and Buckingham, they ascended into pop history.

Yet it was Welch who suggested that the one-time British blues band settle down in California, his home state.

David Fricke wrote about Welch’s contributions to Fleetwood Mac last month in Rolling Stone. He pointed out that Welch’s work on five albums prior to the arrival of the gold-dust twins “brought an L.A. polish and smart-pop delicacy” to the group’s sound.

I must, however, take issue with Fricke on the matter of “A Mystery to Me,” the 1973 album he described as “well-produced but bland.”

First of all, the album’s cover art that Fricke called “astonishingly bad — a garish painting of a crying gorilla eating a cake,” I found interesting. You want bad album art? Try this: http://www.boredpanda.com/worst-album-covers-ever/

As for that album’s contents, Fricke’s description of “Hypnotized” is profound: “Urgent noir propelled by a shuffling mix of guitars and (Christine) McVie’s’s electric-piano understatement, with Welch singing in a sleepwalking cadence like a Raymond Chandler detective musing to himself in a late-night rain.”

But Welch had other strong songs on that album. Starting with “Emerald Eyes,” there’s “Keep On Going,” “The City,” “Miles Away” and “Somebody,” all written by Welch. The guy was not only cooking artistically but here he was, propelling the band to its glitzy pop destiny.

Now talk about noir: One day, success is in your hand and the next, you’re scratching your palm. Welch left the band and tried unsuccesively to go the solo route. Later, he got into a legal squabble with Mac band members over royalties. When Fleetwood Mac was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the group[ failed to even list his name as a member. You do five albums and you get bumpkus.

If your connection to Big Mac is only through those mid-70s radio hits, you’re missing out on a lot. Aside from the early “Then Play On” (when Peter Green was with the band), there was the delightful “Kiln House” from 1970 (with “Station Man” from Danny Kirwan). As Fricke noted, Bob Welch’s albums — “Future Games” (1971), “Bare Trees” (1972), “Penguin” and “Mystery to Me” (both 1973) and “Heroes Are Hard to Find” (1974) — are hard to find in the digital-music era. They’re not available on either Spotify or iTunes.

So get the albums. Unless you have to hear “Go Your Own Way” one more time.

[aleuzzi]

Posted Jul 06, 2012 @ 04:09 PM Peoria Journal Star
http://www.pjstar.com/blogs/mindingbiz/x1271219757/Non-success-story-Leaving-Fleetwood-Mac-just-before-the-groups-attains-superstardom

Non-success story #?: Leaving Fleetwood Mac just before the groups attains superstardom

By Steve Tarter

The recent death of musician Bob Welch (a suicide at the age of 65) is yet another reminder of the slippery slope of success.

Never heard of Welch? He was a member of the super-group Fleetwood Mac just before they became super.

Welch sang and played guitar for the British-based group from 1971 to 1974, composing songs like “Sentimental Lady” and “Hypnotized.”

After Welch left the group, a couple named Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham joined the band and the rest, as they say, is history.

Mac’s two albums, post-Welch, happened to be monsters, “Fleetwood Mac” and "Rumours.”

The first release had songs like “Monday Morning,” “Landslide” and “Rhiannon” while “Rumours,” which wound up selling 40 million copies worldwide, brought us “Don’t Stop,” “Go Your Own Way” and “Second Hand News.”

Fleetwood Mac had always been an interesting and inventive band, but with Nicks and Buckingham, they ascended into pop history.

Yet it was Welch who suggested that the one-time British blues band settle down in California, his home state.

David Fricke wrote about Welch’s contributions to Fleetwood Mac last month in Rolling Stone. He pointed out that Welch’s work on five albums prior to the arrival of the gold-dust twins “brought an L.A. polish and smart-pop delicacy” to the group’s sound.

I must, however, take issue with Fricke on the matter of “A Mystery to Me,” the 1973 album he described as “well-produced but bland.”

First of all, the album’s cover art that Fricke called “astonishingly bad — a garish painting of a crying gorilla eating a cake,” I found interesting. You want bad album art? Try this: http://www.boredpanda.com/worst-album-covers-ever/

As for that album’s contents, Fricke’s description of “Hypnotized” is profound: “Urgent noir propelled by a shuffling mix of guitars and (Christine) McVie’s’s electric-piano understatement, with Welch singing in a sleepwalking cadence like a Raymond Chandler detective musing to himself in a late-night rain.”

But Welch had other strong songs on that album. Starting with “Emerald Eyes,” there’s “Keep On Going,” “The City,” “Miles Away” and “Somebody,” all written by Welch. The guy was not only cooking artistically but here he was, propelling the band to its glitzy pop destiny.

Now talk about noir: One day, success is in your hand and the next, you’re scratching your palm. Welch left the band and tried unsuccesively to go the solo route. Later, he got into a legal squabble with Mac band members over royalties. When Fleetwood Mac was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the group[ failed to even list his name as a member. You do five albums and you get bumpkus.

If your connection to Big Mac is only through those mid-70s radio hits, you’re missing out on a lot. Aside from the early “Then Play On” (when Peter Green was with the band), there was the delightful “Kiln House” from 1970 (with “Station Man” from Danny Kirwan). As Fricke noted, Bob Welch’s albums — “Future Games” (1971), “Bare Trees” (1972), “Penguin” and “Mystery to Me” (both 1973) and “Heroes Are Hard to Find” (1974) — are hard to find in the digital-music era. They’re not available on either Spotify or iTunes.

So get the albums. Unless you have to hear “Go Your Own Way” one more time.


I understand that the whole Welch-left-Fleetwood Mac-right-before-the-band's-big-break makes a great story. But the truth is FM became huge in America because the chemistry between that particular five people was so potent it could not be ignored. If Welch had stayed on with or without Lindsey and Stevie, there would have certainly been some very good music--and maybe some stunning combinations if Lindsey and Stevie were there--but the group chemistry would not have been the same. I doubt the band would have reached the level of success it did.

I know this might not be a popular thing to say at the moment but it's honest. His leaving FM was the right thing for him (at the time) and for the band (in the long run). The fact that he approached FM about replacing Lindsey in 1987 and was turned down (see his second Q&A) suggests that the band may have recognized this, too.

The real curiosity is why Welch's solo career did not sustain itself as long as it should have. Three Hearts and The Other One are easily as good as (and possibly better than) French Kiss. He was doing fine solo work. The public seemed fickle--or maybe Welch didn't have the kind of pin-up image that most people expect from solo acts. Whatever the case, the real injustice to Welch was mass public ambivalence (which became apathy) after his initial breakthrough.

[StandbackStevie]

http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/chicagosuntimes/guestbook.aspx?n=bob-welch&pid=157964920

[MikeInNV]

For those that don't read the Stevie forum, CADreaming posted this about her Nashville show last night:

At the bow, she mentioned Bob Welch: "I would also like to say one last thing. In the family and band of Fleetwood Mac, we are very sorry we lost Bob Welch who was from here and he was one of the great guitar players in my band, so I would like to say Bob, wherever you are -I know you're in a better place. So, thank you everybody. God bless you."

[aleuzzi]

For those that don't read the Stevie forum, CADreaming posted this about her Nashville show last night:

At the bow, she mentioned Bob Welch: "I would also like to say one last thing. In the family and band of Fleetwood Mac, we are very sorry we lost Bob Welch who was from here and he was one of the great guitar players in my band, so I would like to say Bob, wherever you are -I know you're in a better place. So, thank you everybody. God bless you."

Once again I've got to say what a classy gal Stevie is. Top marks in my book. She and Mick are the only members of FM to say anything about Bob's death. The silence of the others--no matter what their history with Bob was--is really unforgivable.

[SteveMacD]

Once again I've got to say what a classy gal Stevie is. Top marks in my book. She and Mick are the only members of FM to say anything about Bob's death. The silence of the others--no matter what their history with Bob was--is really unforgivable.
Well, to be fair to John, he's admittedly not in contact with anybody but Mick and maybe Christine every blue moon, and doesn't say much when he's in the spotlight, except if it's about his marriage with Christine. Otherwise, he shuts the hell up and plays bass, which as a guy who has put bands together, isn't a bad thing.

[aleuzzi]

Well, to be fair to John, he's admittedly not in contact with anybody but Mick and maybe Christine every blue moon, and doesn't say much when he's in the spotlight, except if it's about his marriage with Christine. Otherwise, he shuts the hell up and plays bass, which as a guy who has put bands together, isn't a bad thing.

John worked with Welch for many years. Whether shy or reclusive, he could at least have issued a brief press release--or even a sentence or two.