Thoughts on this tour and Lindsey's Departure

[Machu]

First thing, this is not a hateful post. It's not angry. It is long :sorry: but it's not a rant (maybe kind of? :D). I like to think of it more like a stream of thoughts. :laugh: I won't criticize anybody for thinking the way they do BUT I also see a lot of hate and not a lot of support so I'd like to throw some thoughts out there . . .

Fleetwood Mac has had many line-up changes. Peter Green, Danny Kirwin, Jeremy Spencer, Bob Welch, and of course Mick and John too . . . All there before Lindsey Buckingham. As we all know, there were plenty of changes even after Lindsey and Stevie came into the picture. Bob Brunning, Dave Walker, Bob Weston, Billy Burnette, Rick Vito, Bekka Bramlett, Dave Mason. All members of Fleetwood Mac. Lindsey even quit the band once but Mick and Stevie are being accused of manipulating things somehow (Maybe they did? We don't know for sure but I never see any John or Christine hate. Do people see the two as weaklings just waiting for Mick or Stevie to tell them what to do? I don't think so. Christine quit the band once. She's not a push-over.)

Stevie seemed somewhat disinterested in Fleetwood Mac business recently but I would assume that since she did agree to tour, she had some kind of schedule set. I would assume that they all did and Lindsey wanting to postpone the tour a year must have completely complicated things.

Would it be better to not tour at all? Probably. But all of the remaining "Rumours" members made the decision to go on. Not just Mick and Stevie. The Stevie hate has been especially incredible. It's as if people picture her as this manipulative shrew, plotting Lindsey's demise. She's worked with him through worse times. Why, in her mid-60's, when the band is in it's final stages, would she decide to make a move now? It doesn't make sense. It sounds like a scheduling conflict to me, which is exactly what they said it was. They've never been a band to dodge subjects before. Why lie now? Stevie made it pretty clear that she intended to make her solo career a priority after what was supposed to be a Rumours five farewell tour. If she had waited a year, I'm sure all of her plans would have gone out the window (Yes, and the money too. They may be superstars but walking away from a huge paycheck can't be easy especially when you've been planning on it).

Was Lindsey "fired"? I guess, technically. But I find pointing blame elsewhere difficult when he was the lone problem in scheduling a tour. It depends on your point of view. I'm sure many see it as such and that's fine. It sucks but it is what it is. They probably shouldn't have toured but it can still be fun. I guess I think it seems like regular, every day problems that we all have. Scheduling and money. They have to think about those things too. The band is their job. People like to romanticize it but that's what bands are.

There has been something good (big or small) to come out of just about every Fleetwood Mac era in my opinion so I'm just going to enjoy this for whatever is. I would have rather seen the band with Lindsey but there's no point in being miserable about such a trivial subject. ;) :)

[bwboy]

Machu, I also am somewhat perplexed at how John and Christine have escaped the wrath of people who, when they say they're angry with the band, only mean Stevie and Mick. They may say they're angry with Christine and John, but they don't call them names or make nasty remarks about them. No one is writing Chri$tine for example. That clearly shows a bias.

[secondhandchain]

No disrespect but people keep making new threads on LB's departure. We have plenty.

[Machu]

No disrespect but people keep making new threads on LB's departure. We have plenty.
Most are at least 4 pages long and full of hate. I'd rather not participate in that. Also, it's not like this forum is bursting with activity. :shrug: :sorry:

[FuzzyPlum]

Machu, I also am somewhat perplexed at how John and Christine have escaped the wrath of people who, when they say they're angry with the band, only mean Stevie and Mick. They may say they're angry with Christine and John, but they don't call them names or make nasty remarks about them. No one is writing Chri$tine for example. That clearly shows a bias.


I'm angry with all of them but clearly Mick and Stevie are the ones that orchestrated everything. Chris and John just went along with it (and in Chris's case didn't even have a say). Of course they should have stood up for Lindsey (perhaps they did), but its only reasonable Mick and Stevie are the ones everyone's ire is directed towards. Its not about bias, they are just a bit more culpable.

[bwboy]

I'm angry with all of them but clearly Mick and Stevie are the ones that orchestrated everything. Chris and John just went along with it (and in Chris's case didn't even have a say). Of course they should have stood up for Lindsey (perhaps they did), but its only reasonable Mick and Stevie are the ones everyone's ire is directed towards. Its not about bias, they are just a bit more culpable.

I see what you're saying.

Regardless, if Stevie and Mick truly were the only architects behind Lindsey's firing, I actually believe if either John or Christine had put their foot down and said they wouldn't continue on without Lindsey, this whole thing could have been avoided. Not a doubt in my mind. They clearly didn't, because they're going on the tour, posing for photo shoots, giving interviews, and rehearsing. So we've got two people who wanted Lindsey out, and two people who didn't give a blank one way or the other.

[FuzzyPlum]

I see what you're saying.

Regardless, if Stevie and Mick truly were the only architects behind Lindsey's firing, I actually believe if either John or Christine had put their foot down and said they wouldn't continue on without Lindsey, this whole thing could have been avoided. Not a doubt in my mind. They clearly didn't, because they're going on the tour, posing for photo shoots, giving interviews, and rehearsing. So we've got two people who wanted Lindsey out, and two people who didn't give a blank one way or the other.


Which means two of them have been a bit sh!t and the other two even sh!ttier

[elle]

Most are at least 4 pages long and full of hate. I'd rather not participate in that. Also, it's not like this forum is bursting with activity. :shrug: :sorry:

might not hurt to read some of those threads and pages to actually understand what happened before going off? it may come as a surprise that what you describe is not what happened.

#justathought

lather. rinse. repeat.

[button-lip]

Which means two of them have been a bit sh!t and the other two even sh!ttier

Yeah, and seeing Christine all happy makes me despise her even more. At least Stevie is putting on a show for the cameras. ;)

[Angel75]

But all of the remaining "Rumours" members made the decision to go on. Not just Mick and Stevie. The Stevie hate has been especially incredible. It's as if people picture her as this manipulative shrew, plotting Lindsey's demise. She's worked with him through worse times. Why, in her mid-60's, when the band is in it's final stages, would she decide to make a move now? It doesn't make sense.


You are right, it doesn't make sense. But you are wrong when you say there was a scheduling conflict because Lindsey WAS planning to tour with them and was excited about it, his band musicians confirm thus and that is fact.
Why would Stevie do this? Who knows.... as it's an incredibly vindictive thing to do your partner in crime and musical soulmate. Was she jealous of BuckVie, bitter and again jealous of his happy home life with his wife and kids, grieving from Tom's death and acting without thinking as she did when Robin died....?... who knows, either way it's inexcusable and selfish and has destroyed the Rumours 5 legacy and crushed an enormous amount of loyal FM fans

[Dr.Brown]

Why, in her mid-60's, when the band is in it's final stages, would she decide to make a move now?

Umm, she's actually on the Edge of 70.:sorry:

She'll be hitting that mark in just a few weeks.
.

[sodascouts]

You are right, it doesn't make sense. But you are wrong when you say there was a scheduling conflict because Lindsey WAS planning to tour with them and was excited about it, his band musicians confirm thus and that is fact.
Why would Stevie do this? Who knows.... as it's an incredibly vindictive thing to do your partner in crime and musical soulmate. Was she jealous of BuckVie, bitter and again jealous of his happy home life with his wife and kids, grieving from Tom's death and acting without thinking as she did when Robin died....?... who knows, either way it's inexcusable and selfish and has destroyed the Rumours 5 legacy and crushed an enormous amount of loyal FM fans

I'm just hoping maybe if this was something crazy she did as a result of grief, she'll come to her senses and realize what a horrible mistake she made, and she and Lindsey can patch it up.

I don't think she was jealous or bitter or anything like that. However, she has complained many times that Lindsey stresses her out. From what she has said recently, I can see her telling herself that Tom is dead and she wants to be happy, and that eliminating Lindsey will make her happy and stress-free... so she pushes him out without considering that you just can't do something that selfish without hurting yourself and everyone else in the long run. She doesn't stop to think that doing something so selfish is just wrong.

Maybe, when she is thinking more clearly, she will realize all of this.

I just can't believe it would end this way.

[Villavic]

I’m not hating anybody but do feel so angry. Not particularly in one or two members, but with the whole band. To me, current legendary Fleetwood Mac was the Rumours lineup and I felt they were too mature to keep changing and evolving like a young band. Fleetwood Mac is a legendary band, and I wanted to see and listen this classic band, not new lineups. But that’s me, and I respect if others are happy with new lineups.

Can’t blame on Stevie, Mick, Lindsey, etc., cause I was not there. And I don’t want to make up theories. And though I’d like to know the actual reason, at the same time I had enough with what happened on August 7, 1987.

So, personally, I’m angry with all of them because they didn’t reach an agreement that would ensure this classic lineup and classic band. Though I knew they have always been “a storm”, I thought brawls and break ups were a thing of the past. So I’m not listening to Fleetwood Mac music nowadays. I know it is temporary; I’ll enjoy their old albums again soon. But now I’m not in the mood to listening them.

[elle]

Umm, she's actually on the Edge of 70.:sorry:

She'll be hitting that mark in just a few weeks.
.

it's her 70th bday gift from Mick. :D

[HomerMcvie]

it's her 70th bday gift from Mick. :D

I'd like to give her a gift. :mad::lol::mad:

[bombaysaffires]

Most are at least 4 pages long and full of hate. I'd rather not participate in that. Also, it's not like this forum is bursting with activity. :shrug: :sorry:

"I want you all to do the work for me":eek:

[sodascouts]

"I want you all to do the work for me":eek:

If I were a mod here, I'd merge all these self-important "Here are MY thoughts" threads with the main thread.

[secondhandchain]

Most are at least 4 pages long and full of hate. I'd rather not participate in that. Also, it's not like this forum is bursting with activity. :shrug: :sorry:

And you think with the current state of the band, this won't morph into that why?

[HomerMcvie]

If I were a mod here, I'd merge all these self-important "Here are MY thoughts" threads with the main thread.

Good thing you've got your own board. :laugh::wavey::p

[NotonRodeo]

it's her 70th bday gift from Mick. :D

If it's true what they say that this is about Stevie overreacting to Tom Petty's demise, then we can safely conclude that something is emotionally, psychologically, and morally wrong with a 70 year old woman who cannot deal with death. I'd rather think she was just being her vindictive self that she concealed behind all those shawls all these years.

[wondergirl9847]

I just turned 42 the other day. In 2016, I lost my uncle. In 2017, I lost my mom, dad and a long-term relationship (7+ years together) all in the span of 3 months. I've not made any rash decisions and I've been very careful about doing anything "big" because I need to grieve and make sure I'm doing things with a "clear" head.

I'm not famous and I know everyone grieves differently, but good gravy. Go have a Tom Petty Tribute Concert or something, if you need to, to help with the pain. This whole deal...doesn't make ANY sense. I can understand them going on the road with these two guys...for a short tour to make cash. What I cannot understand, is completely dumping the guy who put you on the map.

WUT? :shrug:

[jools]

I agree with what the opening poster has said.

Before Stevie & Lindsey even joind

We had;
Peter Green, Danny Kirwin, Jeremy Spencer, Bob Welch, Bob Brunning, Dave Walker, Bob Weston

Then Stevie & Lindsey joined

1987 - Lindsey quit/was fired

I do recall any ' there is no FM without Lindsey' (I may be wrong)

Billy & Rick joined and in my opinion the Tango tour was excellent

After Behind the Mask Tour/record & Time Christine left.
Again i do not recall any of this rubbish 'there is no FM without Christine'

Now we have have another new line up
To me this is interesting, hopefully a much more varied set list.

To all LB fans( this is no slight)

Why do you think there is no Fleetwood Mac without Lindsey?

As far as i am concerned, as long as Mick & John are happy to continue then Fleetwood Mac lives on

[FuzzyPlum]

I agree with what the opening poster has said.

Before Stevie & Lindsey even joind

We had;
Peter Green, Danny Kirwin, Jeremy Spencer, Bob Welch, Bob Brunning, Dave Walker, Bob Weston

Then Stevie & Lindsey joined

1987 - Lindsey quit/was fired

I do recall any ' there is no FM without Lindsey' (I may be wrong)

Billy & Rick joined and in my opinion the Tango tour was excellent

After Behind the Mask Tour/record & Time Christine left.
Again i do not recall any of this rubbish 'there is no FM without Christine'

Now we have have another new line up
To me this is interesting, hopefully a much more varied set list.

To all LB fans( this is no slight)

Why do you think there is no Fleetwood Mac without Lindsey?

As far as i am concerned, as long as Mick & John are happy to continue then Fleetwood Mac lives on



Fleetwood Mac was a successful band long before Buckingham and Nicks and they made some great music. But...it wasn't in the same ball park as the Rumours-era band. It is the definitive line up.

Lindsey wasn't fired in 1987. He made the decision himself. Thus, the same sort of backlash didn't occur back then (aided by the lack of internet).

In 1987 there was time for a new band to develop. There was always the option to make new music and continue touring as a viable band. Now, they are old. Beyond a long tour there seems little likelihood of them making new music, certainly not as an ongoing, long-term concern.

Many people would consider the Tango tour to be relatively lacklustre (I cant speak from person experience, however).

Lindsey made Fleetwood Mac cool again. Its hard to see the new band as being the same sort of cool.

[Dr.Brown]

I'd rather think she was just being her vindictive self that she concealed behind all those shawls all these years.

https://i.imgur.com/4cYUrFF.jpg

[button-lip]

If it's true what they say that this is about Stevie overreacting to Tom Petty's demise, then we can safely conclude that something is emotionally, psychologically, and morally wrong with a 70 year old woman who cannot deal with death. I'd rather think she was just being her vindictive self that she concealed behind all those shawls all these years.

I don’t think this has anything to do with Tom’s death. She didn’t even stop touring after his death, when she should have. She’s just being herself. She wanted to have a nice and quiet farewell tour and to do and sing whatever the hell she wants.

[secondhandchain]

Yes there was NO internet when Lindsey left last time. This time he was fired and they are not used to the backlash. I hope Mick is squirming all day like he looked to be in the TMZ video.

[sleepless child]

I have been a fan of the Mac since 1975 and a huge Stevie Nicks fan. I think for me, my feelings changed when Chris came back. I assumed a new album. John had gone thru a health scare and time is ticking for all of them. We've seen a lot of great artists pass in the last few years. Everyone in the group seems on page for a new album, all but Stevie. I was ready for the farewell tour and then Lindsey is out. Then it's not a Farewell tour. Not with Mike and Neil. I am still waiting for Lindsey to tell his side, but I think it's hard to put the blame on one person till we hear from Lindsey. But we have enough social media talk to see that it looks like Mick and Stevie didn't want to work it out with Lindsey, for whatever reason. And it seem like Lindsey wanted it to work out, but Mick and Stevie didn't seem to want too. It is all very odd. This group is exhausting.

[bombaysaffires]

really, why is it so hard for folks to understand that no one is angry that there was a change in the band line up per se, but rather the WAY in which it was handled. i.e., that a band member was apparently booted against their wishes?? :eek: :shrug:

[Angel75]

really, why is it so hard for folks to understand that no one is angry that there was a change in the band line up per se, but rather the WAY in which it was handled. i.e., that a band member was apparently booted against their wishes?? :eek: :shrug:

Exactly, I can embrace change well, it's the one constant thing in life right? But yes it's the way it was handled, why could Stevie not compromise, suck it up, continue one last time as a legacy act and get on with the show. Why fire the one person who made you the rock diva you are.

[Storms123]

I have been a fan of the Mac since 1975 and a huge Stevie Nicks fan. I think for me, my feelings changed when Chris came back. I assumed a new album. John had gone thru a health scare and time is ticking for all of them. We've seen a lot of great artists pass in the last few years. Everyone in the group seems on page for a new album, all but Stevie. I was ready for the farewell tour and then Lindsey is out. Then it's not a Farewell tour. Not with Mike and Neil. I am still waiting for Lindsey to tell his side, but I think it's hard to put the blame on one person till we hear from Lindsey. But we have enough social media talk to see that it looks like Mick and Stevie didn't want to work it out with Lindsey, for whatever reason. And it seem like Lindsey wanted it to work out, but Mick and Stevie didn't seem to want too. It is all very odd. This group is exhausting.


I so agree with so much of what is said here--I've said this before, but I feel the need to say again, so I don't get slammed--I am a fan of FM--the Rumours 5. I wasn't around (or I was but really young) so didn't see the earlier stuff, but have really come to appreciate the iterations of this band before Stevie and Lindsey joined. We (collectively the fans...I don't mean to speak for everyone) were ready for a farewell tour, with the 5 Fireflies. I am in camp Lindsey right now, because of how everything appears to have been handled. Now, I think post OWTS both Lindsey and Mick may have said the 2018 tour wasn't necessarily "farewell" but perhaps John alluded to not being up for another post this tour? I may be wrong here...Stream of concise typing right now. It not that I can't get behind another "FM" formation. I have huge respect for Mike Campbell (I never really got in to Crowded House, but by all accounts, Neil Finn is clearly a talented musician) and will be forever be grateful I saw Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers last summer. Who knew it would be the end.....which brings us back to this situation---I can't get behind this iteration because of the manner with which it happened. While we will likely never know what truly happened, we do know--all 5 had signed for the tour.....Christine and Lindsey said as much in their press for Buck/McVie, and honestly the body language of the band on the CBS interview (my mother always said if someone doesn't look you in the eye...they are lying to you) and Mick's encounter with TMZ are rather indicative that something went down here that isn't on the "up and up". It's unfortunate Mike and Neil are getting dragged into the drama of the most dysfunctional rock and roll family of all. As long as Mick, John, Christine, Stevie and Lindsey aren't pushing up daisies, I will forever hope they can right this and give all of us, (the band as well) a proper farewell. If this tour is really is---I am heartbroken :(

[WatchChain]

1987 - Lindsey quit/was fired

I do recall any ' there is no FM without Lindsey' (I may be wrong)

Billy & Rick joined and in my opinion the Tango tour was excellent

After Behind the Mask Tour/record & Time Christine left.
Again i do not recall any of this rubbish 'there is no FM without Christine'


As stated, social media like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook did not exist in 1987. Many of us were disappointed with Buckingham's 1987 departure, but had no forum to release our thoughts, other than taking out newspaper ads.

Moreover, Buckingham chose to leave the band in 1987. This is hardly an equivalent comparison to what just happened in 2018. In addition, If Christine McVie had been FIRED due to her reluctance to tour, I can assure you there would have been outrage. Though again, only a few public platforms to post this outrage existed at the time of her departure.

Whatever the case, these people have the right to do as they please. This includes the decision to "water down" their brand. As a fan, I'm sure I'll get over it as they move "on with the show". This watering down, however, does nothing to inspire me to shell out money as a consumer of their product. At my age, having lunch at McDonald's just doesn't sound that appealing.

As a devoted fan of more than 40 years, I've always been first in line to buy the product. I can tell you first hand that the 1987-1990 performances were bland and uninspired. What's more, I am not alone in this sentiment. The opinions regarding the lackluster energy of the "Behind The Mask" lineup are well documented. Billy Burnett and Rick Vito are OUTSTANDING musicians, it wasn't their fault. Unfortunately, you just can't replicate the magic that happens with the Rumours five lineup. Mike Campbell is one of the top guitarists alive today. His sound is iconic, but it's not Fleetwood Mac.

I wish the current lineup no ill will. What's more, I don't think their ticket sales will be hurt one bit. I think this tour will make exactly the same amount of money as any other. Most casual American music fans are happy with whatever processed crap that the industry is ready to serve them. The Fleetwood Mac brand will continue as a money making machine. This does not change the fact the the firing of Lindsey Buckingham was in poor taste, no matter who made the decision. The cash flow will continue, but the artistic integrity will be diminished.

#WhoAreYouPeople?

[SteveMacD]

if Christine McVie had been FIRED due to her reluctance to tour, I can assure you there would have been outrage.
Actually, there was some outrage here that the band wouldn’t let Christine participate on SYW because she wouldn’t tour. It wasn’t a firing, per se, but Christine did offer to contribute to the album, but they said no.

Apparently, in 2001, it was a thing in Fleetwood Mac that if you wanted to be in the band, you had to be a part of everything the band did. Recording, touring …

What a difference 16 years makes.

[button-lip]

Exactly, I can embrace change well, it's the one constant thing in life right? But yes it's the way it was handled, why could Stevie not compromise, suck it up, continue one last time as a legacy act and get on with the show. Why fire the one person who made you the rock diva you are.

Because she wants to wake up every morning and dance around her house and be happy. If that's not a confession, I don't know what it is.

[SteveMacD]

Keeping in mind Mick was working his coffee table book on the pre-1975 years last summer…

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/mick-fleetwood-on-fleetwood-macs-future-drugs-fatherhood-w499636

Rolling Stone: Are You thinking at all about the setlist? Will it be very different than the last tour?

Mick: Yeah. I was in Italy recently and met Stevie out there. Actually, she was in Capri and I was close to there. She says to me, “Let’s sit down and really listen to some stuff that sort of almost got forgotten.” So I know she’s already thinking she wants to do some things we haven’t done in years.

Lindsey has often said that he felt like he was part of a cabaret act whenever he played the old songs, so I could see him having an issue with the concept of getting into the early stuff, but especially right after playing new music from what was a Fleetwood Mac album credited to another entity. However, the stage was set…

Then he was fairly disengaged from Stevie during the Classics, and made an unfortunate comment about taking the money and run (telling the world his heart wasn’t really into it, which came through during the shows). Then came the concurrent tour/delayed tour talk…

Mick talking about how it was like using his muscle memory? I actually kind of get it. Look, I don’t fault Lindsey, but I also don’t fault the others. Lindsey was more in touch with going forward, the others (at least Stevie and Mick) were more interested in revisiting the past. Both are valid, especially in the wake of LBCM and around the 50th Anniversary of the band’s first album. But admitting your heart isn’t in it, acting accordingly, AND the whole notion of a concurrent tour is something I can’t imagine ever flying in any other band. I see both sides here, and think it’s probably the best overall outcome for all parties. Lindsey never has to worry about band politics or not moving forward, and the band has a pretty killer new lineup doing songs I never dreamed I’d get to hear (Man of the World being atop the list).

[David]

Lindsey has often said that he felt like he was part of a cabaret act whenever he played the old songs But that's not what he meant. He meant that Stevie and Christine (this was in 1984) were doing their old songs in concert but not presenting them in new ways; they weren't making a new statement (in his opinion) with their hits. They were relying too heavily on the Fleetwood Mac brand. He wasn't criticizing the fact that they were playing some old material, but that they weren't presenting it as a concept distinct from Fleetwood Mac concerts. (I guess he forgot about Stevie's presentation of Rhiannon in the original piano ballad style.)

I see both sides here, and think it’s probably the best overall outcome for all parties. Lindsey never has to worry about band politics or not moving forward It's potentially great for Buckingham because the band conventionality and politics have always been a millstone around his neck.

and the band has a pretty killer new lineup doing songs I never dreamed I’d get to hear (Man of the World being atop the list). How do you know you're going to hear "Man of the World"? Did they announce that one, or were they just tossing out some ideas that may or may not be realized?

[FuzzyPlum]

How do you know you're going to hear "Man of the World"? Did they announce that one, or were they just tossing out some ideas that may or may not be realized?

When Mike Campbell guested at a recent Neil Finn concert in Los Angeles they played Man of the World and a David Bowie song. Given Mick and Stevie recently talked about them playing oldies on the new tour it seems a good bet they'll play Man of the World as its obviously been rehearsed.
Not a certainty, of course.

[Murrow]

Here's my twopenny worth and I'm posting it as one who loved Behind the Mask as well as most of the pre-BN stuff.

It was so obvious to me back around 1989/90 that Stevie would hardly care if she never worked with Lindsey again. Mick was saying like "Hey he was too dominant, we need to get back to being a democracy".

Of course the BTM line-up collapsed a few months after that album came out and for a variety of reasons.

Time... don't get me started.

I was amazed when the Rumours line-up reformed. I was even more amazed when Say You Will came out - Stevie was right to describe it as "a Buckingham Nicks album with power trio backing" but crikey it was amazing. I even fell for the overture of mutual forgiveness between L & S on the closing two tracks.

But... really Mick. Did you really think having those two together again in the same band was going to work for any great length of time? Oh sure, 21 years but what did that produce? One new album which gave a tour rich in new material to compensate for the absence of Chris's songs, sure but then a looooong silence apart from a couple of tours with neither Chris nor (very much) new material and all because Stevie wouldn't do another album as the only girl. OK there was that EP but that was just a glorified LB solo work really and not just because of SN being on compassionate leave - It Takes Time was no more a true Mac track than Make Me A Mask and had a reused tune from Show You How to boot. And then Chris comes back and then what? Stevie can't bring herself to go into a studio with Lindsey and we get the BuckVie album. Seriously Mick, why didn't you just ditch Stevie then like you have Lindsey now? The words "money" and "talks" spring to mind as well as I bet you've still got a bit of a soft spot for her.

Look at Deep Purple. Their classic line-up reformed in 1984 but it only took a few years to work out that Ian Gillan and Ritchie Blackmore could not co-exist in a band anymore. They tried it without Gillan, realised their mistake and brought him back before Blackmore spit his dummy (pacifier) and quit mid-tour but even then they still came out with something new every three years and knew that with four out of five classic members they still stood a good chance of packed venues even if the albums weren't going platinum. No question of twenty years of virtual silence with just the odd nostalgia tour.

And now Mick... now that you have finally wised up and got a line-up together that I think could easily work, you, John, Chris and (almost) Stevie have all passed the threescore and ten mark. It's back to the whole "We're renewed and going forward" that was being touted when Billy and Rick joined. Let's hope you can deliver something new before either you or John croaks it.

I rest my case.