Gary "Hoppy" Hodges Q&A on Tumblr

[welcomechris]

Working with Gary for a Q&A on tumblr very similar to Richard Dashut's

He was Buckingham Nicks' drummer and percussionist from 72 to 75.

Sara Fleetwood, ex-wife of Mick Fleetwood and background singer for Stevie Nicks has also joined us

garyandsara.tumblr.com

It should be working.

[SisterNightroad]

Cool, thanks!

[welcomechris]

This is a lot of work. Gary is a very nice guy though. Anyone have questions?

[welcomechris]

Gary has spelt a lot of info on BN2. Here's what he wrote in the email.

Question: When was the last time you saw the Mac?

Answer: I attended a concert with and had dinner with them prior to the limo ride over in Oh 1975 or 76,, last time I saw them was probably 1981.

Saw them in Sausalito, LA, Dallas, during the making of “Rumours”. I would go with them after dinner or something, we always hung out you know, we were in a band together for 5 years in LA.

I saw and hung with them from 1971 to 1981 in LA. It’s been a while since I’ve seen them in the flesh. We all used to live together and practice and record and hassle gigs, we really paid some dues together. In the trenches together, fighting the good fight. Recording at Sound City very late at night, after hours.

We actually started work a second album there in the late, late hours with Richard dashut engineering. We had already cut the studio versions of “Rhiannon”, “Blue Letter”, “Monday Morning”, “I Don’t Want To Know”, and many of the songs you heard later with Fleetwood Mac. Despite that, we record songs that never found a home “Heartbreaker”, “Telephone”, “Sunrise”, “Lady from the Mountain”, and others. Probably 10 or 11 tracks cut in 74′.

There are many missing tapes, what you’ve heard is not all we’ve done. I recently heard Stevie’s new album and I noticed two tracks “Lady” and “Cathouse Blues”. We did those songs. They were recorded. I thought Cathouse was on Buckingham Nicks.

I would see them on to road or in the studio or at a hotel lounge or dinner or out in LA at their respective homes.

[aleuzzi]

I gave it a go and asked three questions. All as one piece. Thanks for notifying us re: this.

[welcomechris]

Answered! Wow he's so nice to be answering these. He really hated Mick

[welcomechris]

http://garyandsara.tumblr.com

Sara Fleetwood and Garry "Hoppy" Hodges are participating in a Q&A session on tumblr!

[aleuzzi]

Answered! Wow he's so nice to be answering these. He really hated Mick

What was his answer? The site is taken down.

[crystalline_]

What was his answer? The site is taken down.

"Mick ruined my life as far as i’m concerned. When we first saw him, I thought he had just crawled out of a concentration camp. He smelt terrible. Like dead fish. He was terribly thin. Like starving kids in Africa. I’m cut from that cloth, mick is worth less than any member of FM. "

[aleuzzi]

"Mick ruined my life as far as i’m concerned. When we first saw him, I thought he had just crawled out of a concentration camp. He smelt terrible. Like dead fish. He was terribly thin. Like starving kids in Africa. I’m cut from that cloth, mick is worth less than any member of FM. "

Holy crap!

Why is the site down? All I asked was what his impressions were of the McVies and Fleetwood trio.

Can you tell me what he wrote about the others? And his answers to the other two questions I asked?

[nicole21290]

Holy crap!

Why is the site down? All I asked was what his impressions were of the McVies and Fleetwood trio.

Can you tell me what he wrote about the others? And his answers to the other two questions I asked?

<div class="tumblr-post" data-href="https://embed.tumblr.com/embed/post/G6wHLvmEQ296AqN7ED9gqg/126547428162" data-did="da39a3ee5e6b4b0d3255bfef95601890afd80709"><a href="http://garyandsara.tumblr.com/post/126547428162/what-were-your-impressions-of-mick-john-and">http://garyandsara.tumblr.com/post/126547428162/what-were-your-impressions-of-mick-john-and</a></div><script async src="https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/post.js"></script>

[aleuzzi]

<div class="tumblr-post" data-href="https://embed.tumblr.com/embed/post/G6wHLvmEQ296AqN7ED9gqg/126547428162" data-did="da39a3ee5e6b4b0d3255bfef95601890afd80709"><a href="http://garyandsara.tumblr.com/post/126547428162/what-were-your-impressions-of-mick-john-and">http://garyandsara.tumblr.com/post/126547428162/what-were-your-impressions-of-mick-john-and</a></div><script async src="https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/post.js"></script>

Thanks. I see a new link....

[HomerMcvie]

She asked if a million dollars was asking too much to do it! :D

[welcomechris]

She asked if a million dollars was asking too much to do it! :D

I know, but then she PM'ed me and we worked it out

[welcomechris]

Yes it transferred to garyandsara.tumblr.com because Sara Fleetwood joined us

[welcomechris]

Gary is selling a CD named "Buckingham Nicks: Live" which he says is fully mastered at a soundboard recording.

[SisterNightroad]

Gary is selling a CD named "Buckingham Nicks: Live" which he says is fully mastered at a soundboard recording.

http://blog.pinnaclepromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/i-want-this-because-of-reasons.jpg

[HomerMcvie]

I know, but then she PM'ed me and we worked it out

Awesome! I can't wait to read it!

[welcomechris]

http://blog.pinnaclepromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/i-want-this-because-of-reasons.jpg

Well because you're SisterNightroad, you get a discount for 49.99! :nod::lol:

[welcomechris]

Bekka Bramlett will be joining our questionnaire tomorrow afternoon!

Moderators, would you mind renaming this thread to "Bekka Bramlett, Sara Fleetwood & Gary Hodges Q&A?

So exciting!

[aleuzzi]

I'm glad Gary is doing the Tumblr QandA but I'm a little weirded out by his open hatred of Mick and the rather crass answer he supplied with response to someone's question about Mick and Stevie's affair. It's all a bit uncomfortable. AmI the only one thinking this?

[nicole21290]

I'm glad Gary is doing the Tumblr QandA but I'm a little weirded out by his open hatred of Mick and the rather crass answer he supplied with response to someone's question about Mick and Stevie's affair. It's all a bit uncomfortable. AmI the only one thinking this?

He has a tendency towards crassness on his Facebook, both openly and in private messages; I doubted it would be any different here. Lead him in a different direction is the best way to go, I think...

[Josh2003]

Wait, was she serious about asking for a million dollars?

[jenniferuk]

I'm glad Gary is doing the Tumblr QandA but I'm a little weirded out by his open hatred of Mick and the rather crass answer he supplied with response to someone's question about Mick and Stevie's affair. It's all a bit uncomfortable. AmI the only one thinking this?

I thought the same--it's a bit awkward. I don't have a question for him but I am always interested to read first-hand experiences. I was struck by Gary's mention that he was involved with Rumours and was dropped from the credit. I know from his previous Q&A that he was at the sessions, hanging out, having dinner, etc but I don't think I ever knew that he was actively involved in production.

[welcomechris]

Oh yeah, Gary is pretty weird. I didn't like his response to that.

He did make a big deal about Rumours.

[HomerMcvie]

Wait, was she serious about asking for a million dollars?

I'm reasonably sure she was joking...


Unless someone was willing to pony up! :lol:

[iamnotafraid]

Gary is selling a CD named "Buckingham Nicks: Live" which he says is fully mastered at a soundboard recording.

Probably taken from my DVD instead of a soundboard tape.


As for questions directed at Bekka. I'd be curious to know
if she and Vince had a fling - so to speak?

[welcomechris]

I thought the same--it's a bit awkward. I don't have a question for him but I am always interested to read first-hand experiences. I was struck by Gary's mention that he was involved with Rumours and was dropped from the credit. I know from his previous Q&A that he was at the sessions, hanging out, having dinner, etc but I don't think I ever knew that he was actively involved in production.

Gary emailed me an apology to FM fans this morning:

A mistake was made in the making of one of the posts. The post was made 100% out of context. I mean no harm to Stevie or Mick, and I very much respect them both! I was not on top of my game the night that was written, and I hugely regret it now! I’ve decided to respectfully back out of this Q&A session. I’m so sorry about my comment.

- Gary

[shackin'up]

Come on. Gary was on the verge of making a fabulous BN II, then Mick called and gone was his future with Buckingham Nicks. A year later they were millionaires, andf he's not. Ofcourse he hates his guts.

[sasja]

Come on. Gary was on the verge of making a fabulous BN II, then Mick called and gone was his future with Buckingham Nicks. A year later they were millionaires, andf he's not. Ofcourse he hates his guts.

Agree utterly !!

Thank you for that astute post!

[welcomechris]

Come on. Gary was on the verge of making a fabulous BN II, then Mick called and gone was his future with Buckingham Nicks. A year later they were millionaires, andf he's not. Ofcourse he hates his guts.

I'd hate him also if I were in Gary's shoes.

[bombaysaffires]

if the fan community wants to talk to people around the band, we have to be willing to hear what they have to say--- and accept that their truth might include things we don't like to hear. That's the way it goes. We can't invite people to open up and then freak or bash them when they trust us enough to open up. . No one in this band is a saint. People in this band have behaved badly at times. Maybe even abominably. Hearing about that is part of knowing the real behind the scenes story. I'm really sorry Gary chose to back out of the Q&A. Of course everyone is entitled to talk about how they feel hearing about some of this stuff-- a lot of it is bound to be disappointing to us. But I love learning about what really went on anyway. I bet a lot of others do too.

[HomerMcvie]

if the fan community wants to talk to people around the band, we have to be willing to hear what they have to say--- and accept that their truth might include things we don't like to hear. That's the way it goes. We can't invite people to open up and then freak or bash them when they trust us enough to open up. . No one in this band is a saint. People in this band have behaved badly at times. Maybe even abominably. Hearing about that is part of knowing the real behind the scenes story. I'm really sorry Gary chose to back out of the Q&A. Of course everyone is entitled to talk about how they feel hearing about some of this stuff-- a lot of it is bound to be disappointing to us. But I love learning about what really went on anyway. I bet a lot of others do too.

I couldn't agree more. The crap is what I WANT to hear(as long as it's the truth, or at least their own vision of the truth). Enough white washing stuff. I'm all full up on unicorns and fairy dust farts!

[Montclare]

if the fan community wants to talk to people around the band, we have to be willing to hear what they have to say--- and accept that their truth might include things we don't like to hear. That's the way it goes. We can't invite people to open up and then freak or bash them when they trust us enough to open up. . No one in this band is a saint. People in this band have behaved badly at times. Maybe even abominably. Hearing about that is part of knowing the real behind the scenes story. I'm really sorry Gary chose to back out of the Q&A. Of course everyone is entitled to talk about how they feel hearing about some of this stuff-- a lot of it is bound to be disappointing to us. But I love learning about what really went on anyway. I bet a lot of others do too.

Agreed. I am curious if Sara said anything about his response though. I found it annoying whenever someone would go after Richard, especially since he tried to put a positive spin on everything and seemed so sensitive.

[welcomechris]

if the fan community wants to talk to people around the band, we have to be willing to hear what they have to say--- and accept that their truth might include things we don't like to hear. That's the way it goes. We can't invite people to open up and then freak or bash them when they trust us enough to open up. . No one in this band is a saint. People in this band have behaved badly at times. Maybe even abominably. Hearing about that is part of knowing the real behind the scenes story. I'm really sorry Gary chose to back out of the Q&A. Of course everyone is entitled to talk about how they feel hearing about some of this stuff-- a lot of it is bound to be disappointing to us. But I love learning about what really went on anyway. I bet a lot of others do too.

Very true.

[bombaysaffires]

I'll just add that almost no one who gets to the top of their profession does it by being nice. Being super successful requires a focus and a dedication to what you want to do that excludes a lot of other things in life. I was just reading a piece on Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX etc) by his former wife and she talks about how he lived/breathed/slept his work and was just not a great husband or father because of his focus and drive in his work. She understands now that that is what it takes to reach that level of success. I've seen this (maybe not to that level) in a lot of friends and colleagues. Those who have become the most successful are the ones who wanted it badly enough to focus on their career to the exclusion of most everything else. (they may be married and have kids but aren't really 'there' for them a lot).

I think that happened in its own way with this band-- you can't be the biggest band ever without recording and touring and doing interviews and photo shoots etc etc constantly. You make no room in your life for family and relationships because then you aren't doing something (whatever it is that day) for your career. (Think of that moment in the Tusk doc where LB talks about calling his mom and realizing it had been MONTHS since he'd called). This has been Stevie from day one. And Mick to a large degree also. It's a big part of how Mick lost his first family. Yes, drugs got involved too but really that was wrapped up initially in having the energy to do all that work related stuff (coke) which included being creative (pot/coke/alcohol) and in living up to the image of what rock stars do etc etc. (again career). Or trying to de-stress some from, again, your career. This made them very self-centered and all about themselves and that doesn't always make you very nice to other people, it doesn't make you think about how life is for other people, it makes you focus on YOU and what YOU need when YOU need it and can make you a jerk sometimes. Especially when you never hear the negative feedback because you're famous and no one feels they can criticize you or give you honest feedback because they depend on you for their livelihood.

Most of the band seem to have learned some hard lessons about all that (losing families, fortunes, going thru rehab, crappy sales of albums/tours, etc). I still wouldn't count on them being wonderful all of the time even now :eek:

[vivfox]

Sara Fleetwood let it be known on Facebook that she never authorized any Q&A session through The Ledge. The comments she got became a bash the Ledge thread consisting of several people who have been banned and blocked from here and only elle and me defended The Ledge to the angry crowd. I also let Sara know that Michele j had never requested a Q&A session for The Ledge.What seemed to upset Sara greatly was a negative comment Gary made about Stevie and Mick. Her loyalty to her friend's is admirable if you ask me.

[welcomechris]

Sara Fleetwood let it be known on Facebook that she never authorized any Q&A session through The Ledge. The comments she got became a bash the Ledge thread consisting of several people who have been banned and blocked from here and only elle and me defended The Ledge to the angry crowd. I also let Sara know that Michele j had never requested a Q&A session for The Ledge.What seemed to upset Sara greatly was a negative comment Gary made about Stevie and Mick. Her loyalty to her friend's is admirable if you ask me.

I'm talking with her now about it. Don't worry, about a thing. Every little thing, is gonna be alright.

[michelej1]

Sara Fleetwood let it be known on Facebook that she never authorized any Q&A session through The Ledge. The comments she got became a bash the Ledge thread consisting of several people who have been banned and blocked from here and only elle and me defended The Ledge to the angry crowd.

Yes, at least those people were suspended or banned by the Ledge. The problem with these recent Q & A things is that they have nothing to do with The Ledge. It's something that Welcome Chris concocted all on his own and I don't know why he associated this site with his personal tumblr activity.

Michele

[welcomechris]

Yes, at least those people were suspended or banned by the Ledge. The problem with these recent Q & A things is that they have nothing to do with The Ledge. It's something that Welcome Chris concocted all on his own and I don't know why he associated this site with his personal tumblr activity.

Michele

Michele, I haven't said a word about the ledge since you told me not to. It's because in the beginning we were supposed to do it that way. That didn't work out and it's now on tumblr.

[michelej1]

Michele, I haven't said a word about the ledge since you told me not to. It's because in the beginning we were supposed to do it that way.

That's the problem, you were never supposed to do any Q & As on this site at all. It "didn't work out" because this site knew nothing about your plans.

Obviously, if some person affiliated with the band wants to set up a thread and say they are taking questions from other ledgies, they can do that for themselves or The Ledge administrator or moderators can set up a Q & A for people, but you can't set up any Q & As here and you should never have told Billy, Bekka or anyone else that that's what you were doing. I'm glad you're not telling them that any longer.

Michele

[welcomechris]

That's the problem, you were never supposed to do any Q & As on this site at all. It "didn't work out" because this site knew nothing about your plans.

Obviously, if some person affiliated with the band wants to set up a thread and say they are taking questions from other ledgies, they can do that for themselves or The Ledge administrator or moderators can set up a Q & A for people, but you can't set up any Q & As here and you should never have told Billy, Bekka or anyone else that that's what you were doing. I'm glad you're not telling them that any longer.

Michele

They were going to join as members and create a thread. Not do something on the penguin. They said they couldn't figure out how to get on to join, and to do it over email. I'm not telling anyone else about the ledge.

[iamnotafraid]

Does this mean I have to cancel the Jack White Q&A on The Ledge?

[michelej1]

Does this mean I have to cancel the Jack White Q&A on The Ledge?

IDK. If he's going to talk about the new album ....

Michele

[iamnotafraid]

IDK. If he's going to talk about the new album ....

Michele

Nope. Just a scoop on Meg returning to the White Stripes.
Nothing really important.

[HomerMcvie]

Does this mean I have to cancel the Jack White Q&A on The Ledge?

DAMN we need a like button here!!!:lol:

[iamnotafraid]

DAMN we need a like button here!!!:lol:

Thanks David.

[Macfanforever]

I thought Tumblr was only for photos.Thanks for this thread .The stuff here was very interesting.