Opening acts for Fleetwood Mac [Archive]

View Full Version : Opening acts for Fleetwood Mac

blemelin

12-07-2013, 04:17 AM

I know Men at Work opened for FM on The Mirage Tour, but what about other tours? I know they haven't had an opening act on the last three tours, but what about others? (Go back as far as you can remember or document.)

Someone I know just asked me about The Dance Tour in 1997 and what the opening act was. I don't remember there being an opening act. And I saw it three times: Nassau Coliseum (Uniondale, NY); Continental Airlines Arena (East Rutherford, NJ) and Madison Square Garden (New York, NY). She went with me to the NJ show and can't remember. I have no memory of an opening act from any of those shows on that tour. The FM set alone was close to three hours, especially at the MSG show, so I can't imagine there was a opening act.

The Garden show was epic. I had an amazing experience at that show that night. If I can find my write-up on the Nicksfix from that show, I'll read it again and see if I should post it again, just for old time's sake. (It was a long time ago, and I might have still been in glory mode after the show.) After I posted the write-up, John Kinney wrote to me and commented on how much he liked the review and was envious of my experience.

wetcamelfood

12-07-2013, 07:15 AM

The Cruzados on the Tango tour
Squeeze on the BTM tour.

That's all I got. :)

John

jools

12-07-2013, 08:27 AM

At Wembley on the BTM tour
Jethro Tull & Van Halen were the opening acts/support

kenzo

12-07-2013, 08:34 AM

September 1982: I saw John Waite, Loverboy and John Cougar Mellencamp (in that order) open for Fleetwood Mac at Rock Superbowl 15, held at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, FL.

vivfox

12-07-2013, 10:30 AM

Christopher Cross opened for them in New Haven on the Tusk Tour show I saw. He opened for many of the American FM gigs that year.

Eponymous

12-07-2013, 01:01 PM

Kenny Loggins in 1978 - some of the Rumours Tour dates.

sywlindseyfan

12-07-2013, 02:23 PM

What would constitute for the tour managers to invite or hire an opening act?

I would love to see these guys brought to open for the MAC! They are my absolute favorite band. I would imagine Fleetwood Mac themselves would be happy with this since they are now all about giving to the younger artists, especially Stevie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-031N4yxQg

They are definitely amazing, and musically interesting, the audience would love this!

iamnotafraid

12-07-2013, 02:23 PM

Christopher Cross...

I haven't seen him since the Newmannium.

HomerMcvie

12-07-2013, 02:27 PM

I haven't seen him since the Newmannium.

:angel::angel::angel::angel::angel:
I love anyone who'll trade Seinfeld quotes with me!

shackin'up

12-07-2013, 02:36 PM

A spinecringing Chris de Burgh, Utrecht, Netherlands 1990. But ehhh, the headlining act was just slightly better....

goldustsongbird

12-07-2013, 04:51 PM

chiliD

12-07-2013, 10:12 PM

In '75 at the Forum, Fleetwood Mac was the middle artist on a 3 act bill that had Little Feat opening (& damned near stealing the show) and the Dave Mason Band headlining. That was the last show I saw Lindsey Buckingham play & sing "Rattlesnake Shake"...also, it was one of the many sets where Stevie backed out of singing "Landslide" at the last minute. Lindsey had already strapped on his acoustic and had sat down , even started the intro...Stevie turned around toward Mick holding her hand over her throat in a "choking" motion & shook her head. Lindsey didn't sound too pleased when he made the public apology for her as he strapped on the usual Stratocaster he played on "Over My Head" back then. Of course, Stevie sang her backgrounds perfectly not only on OMH, but the rest of the set as well.

The band "Mistress", which was co-founded by Dave Walker, opened for them at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on Thanksgiving Night 1975, although by the time they played that show, Dave Walker was no longer in the band.

In '76, I saw them at UCSanta Barbara (the show that was filmed...later became the outdoor live portions of the Rosebud video) Small Wonder & UFO were the opening acts. Small Wonder, from Canada, it was their first of only 3 US gigs ever. (their keyboard player Jimmy Phillips later would join Burton Cummings touring band & still was a member when MY band opened for Burton in '81). And, as for UFO, it was one of the last gigs that lead guitarist Michael Schenker played with the band before going AWOL.

A few months later, Peter Ivers opened for them at the Universal Amphitheatre (later known as the Gibson Theatre, which was just torn down about a month ago or less, to make room for a new Harry Potter ride). I recall seeing Firefall in concert, but have no recollection of where...it might've been as opening act for FMac. :shrug:

At one of their first shows after Rumours was released, in San Diego in March '77, hometown boy Stephen Bishop opened the show.

The Sanford-Townsend band (RIP Ed Sanford) opened for them during their August '77 run at the Forum. Another near "show stealing" opening band...they were fantastic! Somebody likened them as "a Southern fried Hall & Oates", but I thought they were more along the lines of Wet Willie or Little Feat..extremely tight band with great vocals.

On the early leg of the Tusk tour, I saw Danny Douma open for them, he had Todd Sharp in his band at the time...and almost all of Fleetwood Mac appeared (on different songs, however, not ever all at once) on his one & only album Night Eyes. Then Christopher Cross opened for them during their 2 night stay to close out the tour in Sept '80 at the Hollywood Bowl.

Dave Mason opened for them ("unplugged", just he & Jim Krueger (RIP) on acoustic guitars) at the Forum in '82...the two shows that were filmed & released as the Mirage video.

As John already mentioned, the Cruzados opened for them on the Shake The Cage tour in '87. The Cruzados bass player (Tony Marsico) would later be a member of Rick Vito's band around the time of his Pink & Black album.

When I saw them in '90 on the BTM tour, there was no opening act.

In 1994, at the free concert in Woodley Park in Van Nuys, CA, ex-Byrds founder Roger McGuinn did a solo acoustic set, which due to his incessant banter between EACH SONG almost came off as what we would probably today think was an episode of "Storytellers" on VH1.:lol:

Wasn't an opening act at either the 2 shows I saw on The Dance tour in '97, nor when I saw them in 2003.

Haven't seen them since.

jenniferuk

12-07-2013, 10:46 PM

nicole21290

12-08-2013, 12:53 AM

RIP FM Legacy: https://web.archive.org/web/20080430025612/http://www.fmlegacy.com/main.html

If you hover over the cities, you'll get a setlist and the names of openers. One of the 1975 dates has them on a bill with ZZ Top (the headliners), Jay Boy Adams, Trooper, Jeff Beck, and Aerosmith(!)

Firefall opened for them on for one 1976 date. They covered Crying In The Night in 1980, unreleased until 1995.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/vAmS1ghDowI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I've actually copied all the information from fmlegacy (including those fleetnotes with support acts and setlists as an appendix) so that if it ACTUALLY disappears for good, it's still around as a download. If interested - http://buckinghamnicksff.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/ebook-tour-dates-details.html

That Penguin one with all the tour dates is mighty helpful though too. Thanks for that link - somehow missed it when rummaging through old sites. :)

vivfox

12-08-2013, 11:30 AM

In '75 at the Forum, Fleetwood Mac also, it was one of the many sets where Stevie backed out of singing "Landslide" at the last minute. Lindsey had already strapped on his acoustic and had sat down , even started the intro...Stevie turned around toward Mick holding her hand over her throat in a "choking" motion & shook her head. Lindsey didn't sound too pleased when he made the public apology for her as he strapped on the usual Stratocaster he played on "Over My Head" back then. Of course, Stevie sang her backgrounds perfectly not only on OMH, but the rest of the set as well.

Your memories have always amazed me. It sounds like she might have blown her voice on Rhiannon, perhaps? This is a good example of how the rumours got started about Stevie and her throat issues that were rampant in every article around that time and a few years after.

pattyfan

12-08-2013, 02:00 PM

When I saw them in SF at the Cow Palace on the Tusk tour, Danny Douma and Night Eyes (whoever they are, I have no idea why I still remember their name) opened. They were horrible. The funny thing is that at the end of their set, the drummer threw his sticks in the audience, and a second later whoever got them threw them back!

Kevin

mottabam

12-08-2013, 02:32 PM

Here is a link (from this site) with tour info and setlists--some supporting acts and other details are listed.

I reference the dates when trying to recall which shows I saw--so many shows over so many decades that I can't always keep it straight. I do not have all of my old tourbooks and tix-sadly.

No support for The Dance that I know of but I only saw the two Detroit shows. I was certain that was the last I/we would see of them. I skipped 2003 but caught the last two tours. I am so happy that I saw them this year--amazing show.

http://www.fleetwoodmac.net/penguin/albums/fmtourbooks_70s.htm

^ There were more tour dates for the "Time" era band in late 1993 and early 1994. I can't remember the exact dates but there were several shows I attended in Florida. These shows may not have been part of an official tour, perhaps more of a warm up type gigs for the new line-up. They were very small venues. I have a newspaper article from West Palm Beach about this new Time line-up and Florida shows. Shows included: West Palm Beach at the Carefree Theater, Pompono Beach at the Amplitheater, SUN? Festival in West Palm Beach, and The Florida Theater in Jacksonville. Maybe there were others?

For BTM tour I saw Fleetwood Mac two nights in a row at Great Woods in Mass. One night Squeeze opened up the other night was World Party due to a schedule conflict or something.

vivfox

12-08-2013, 03:11 PM

World Party

I used to enjoy his music. Forgot all about him until you mentioned it here.

Macfanforever

12-08-2013, 04:34 PM

I remember The Band opened for FM .I cant recall which tour it was.

jenniferuk

12-08-2013, 09:25 PM

I remember The Band opened for FM .I cant recall which tour it was.

That reminds me of Sunday Break 2 in Sept 1976-- America, Steve Miller, The Band, Chicago, England Dan...FM.

You've all prob seen the photos:

http://rockinhouston.com/performers/sunday-break-2-fleetwood-mac-america-the-band-chicago-and-steve-miller/425/

iamnotafraid

12-08-2013, 09:37 PM

:angel::angel::angel::angel::angel:
I love anyone who'll trade Seinfeld quotes with me!

It's all about Kramer.

Off topic but...

Can you imagine Christine and Stevie traveling
down the interstate with a tour bus full of cans.
And being late for a tour date Christine realizes
that the bus seems sluggish. So to lose some of
the excess weight she says to Stevie...

Was that a pie stand back there?

I'll finish the story at a later date.

vivfox

12-08-2013, 09:41 PM

http://rockinhouston.com/performers/sunday-break-2-fleetwood-mac-america-the-band-chicago-and-steve-miller/425/

There are several pics in there I have never seen before so thank you for the link you provided.

Macfanforever

12-09-2013, 01:27 AM

That reminds me of Sunday Break 2 in Sept 1976-- America, Steve Miller, The Band, Chicago, England Dan...FM.

You've all prob seen the photos:

http://rockinhouston.com/performers/sunday-break-2-fleetwood-mac-america-the-band-chicago-and-steve-miller/425/

No.It was later then that era.I think it was the Time tour.Correct me if I'm wrong.

Phil Lee

12-09-2013, 06:21 AM

At Wembley on the BTM tour
Jethro Tull & Van Halen were the opening acts/support

The support acts for the BTM Wembley concert were River City People, Hall & Oates and Jethro Tull.

jenniferuk

12-09-2013, 08:17 AM

No.It was later then that era.I think it was the Time tour.Correct me if I'm wrong.

Oh I am sure you are correct--I was just reminded of that festival and sailing down memory lane. That show is one of those wish I could have been there shows for me.

HomerMcvie

12-09-2013, 12:04 PM

It's all about Kramer.

Off topic but...

Can you imagine Christine and Stevie traveling
down the interstate with a tour bus full of cans.
And being late for a tour date Christine realizes
that the bus seems sluggish. So to lose some of
the excess weight she says to Stevie...

Was that a pie stand back there?

I'll finish the story at a later date.
(In Stevie's fat days)
"Stevie, it's either the cans, or we begin liposuction NOW!"

All while Lindsey is chucking JFK's golf clubs at her!:lol:

And it is all about Kramer! Have you seen the new show "Kirstie" yet? He's basically playing Kramer. I think it's going to be a big hit!

I'msoAfraid95

12-09-2013, 12:11 PM

(In Stevie's fat days)
"Stevie, it's either the cans, or we begin liposuction NOW!"

All while Lindsey is chucking JFK's golf clubs at her!:lol:

And it is all about Kramer! Have you seen the new show "Kirstie" yet? He's basically playing Kramer. I think it's going to be a big hit!

I just watched the debut episode yesterday. I was nearly falling off of the couch from laughter. :lol:

HomerMcvie

12-09-2013, 01:08 PM

I just watched the debut episode yesterday. I was nearly falling off of the couch from laughter. :lol:

Me too.:lol: I think this is the best original show TVLand has produced. I could almost seeing a "real" network snapping it up!

michelej1

12-09-2013, 02:26 PM

And it is all about Kramer! Have you seen the new show "Kirstie" yet? He's basically playing Kramer. I think it's going to be a big hit!

I don't think the show is funny at all, but his giving visitors a tour of the city in her car was definitely a nod to Kramer.

Michele

chiliD

12-09-2013, 06:57 PM

I remember The Band opened for FM .I cant recall which tour it was.

Must've been the incarnation of The Band WITHOUT Robbie Robertson after they'd reformed in the late 80's after Richard Manuel's suicide. I'd agree that their opening for Fleetwood Mac would've most likely have been during Fleetwood Mac's '94/'95 tour.
(I refuse to use the term Time tour because they DIDN'T tour after the album was released. They may have done less than 5 shows subsequent to it's release, but that's it.)

goldustsongbird

12-09-2013, 07:11 PM

I've actually copied all the information from fmlegacy (including those fleetnotes with support acts and setlists as an appendix) so that if it ACTUALLY disappears for good, it's still around as a download. If interested - http://buckinghamnicksff.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/ebook-tour-dates-details.html

That Penguin one with all the tour dates is mighty helpful though too. Thanks for that link - somehow missed it when rummaging through old sites. :)

A new site to pop into my bookmarks. :)

mottabam

12-12-2013, 02:49 PM

^ There were more tour dates for the "Time" era band in late 1993 and early 1994. I can't remember the exact dates but there were several shows I attended in Florida. These shows may not have been part of an official tour, perhaps more of a warm up type gigs for the new line-up. They were very small venues. I have a newspaper article from West Palm Beach about this new Time line-up and Florida shows. Shows included: West Palm Beach at the Carefree Theater, Pompono Beach at the Amplitheater, SUN? Festival in West Palm Beach, and The Florida Theater in Jacksonville. Maybe there were others?

For BTM tour I saw Fleetwood Mac two nights in a row at Great Woods in Mass. One night Squeeze opened up the other night was World Party due to a schedule conflict or something.

^ Off topic, still going through some of my stuff but here are a few dates I found for the 94-early 95 shows in Florida for whoever is interested.
August 29th 1994 Carefree Theater (sold out, 750 seats)
December 30th 1994 Pompano Beach Amphitheater (sold out, 2600 seats)
January 1st 1995 Florida Theater Jacksonville, Fl (Great show they closed with "Imagine".)
May? 1995 West Palm Beach SunFest
This may have been all of them besides the later trek with Pat Benatar and REO.

Macfanforever

12-12-2013, 03:56 PM

Must've been the incarnation of The Band WITHOUT Robbie Robertson after they'd reformed in the late 80's after Richard Manuel's suicide. I'd agree that their opening for Fleetwood Mac would've most likely have been during Fleetwood Mac's '94/'95 tour.
(I refuse to use the term Time tour because they DIDN'T tour after the album was released. They may have done less than 5 shows subsequent to it's release, but that's it.)

Thanks for the info.I do remember seeing The Band but I dont recall the time frame.

I know they played LOUD like Peter Frampton did when he opened for Stevie in 1986.

Oh I am sure you are correct--I was just reminded of that festival and sailing down memory lane. That show is one of those wish I could have been there shows for me.

I only want to one show on that tour.

SorcererJP

12-12-2013, 07:14 PM

Back in 1988 at the Tango-tour in Rotterdam they had The Adventurers opening for them ( they had a small hit with "Drowning in the sea of Love").

In 1989 Stevie solo : Richard Marx

In 1990 there was Chris de Burgh

In 1994 they had Dutch local rocker Hans Vermeulen.

In 2004, 2009 and 2013 no opening acts.

All in The Netherlands though.