The PR Stunt Theory

[WatchChain]

We’ve been had. The latest CBS interview is hysterical! “Dearest Lindsey, I had nothing to do with any of this. I believe in her heart Stevie wants you to come home”. Nauseating! LOL. This whole s**t show has been very “convenient” for ALL parties involved. A hodgepodge “lawsuit” settled out of court in 6 weeks? Lindsey gets “time off” from playing the same tired set list. Stevie gets to put her newly unemployed BFF Mike Campbell back to work for two years. Mick can make some cash while doing a favor for his friend Finn. (Finn and Campbell are working at only a fraction of Buckingham’s fee) Plus, the Buckingham Rodeo Drive camp gets paid. Chris keeps working. BIGGEST PAYOFF: We can stage a “surprise” The Dance Reunion/Farewell Tour in 2021 that will last 3 years for the ULTIMATE final cash grab. How underwhelming.

“In her heart, Stevie wants you home”. That was an especially nice touch! Way to go, you’ve pulled off the latest scripted drama in this 50 year train wreck! Lol—just hysterical! Can I hire the top secret PR person behind this delicious stunt? At least we can all relax knowing that Lindsey will be “back in the band” within 2-3 years. It’s certainly a gamble given the advanced age of these drama queens. I guess Irving Azoff was willing to roll the dice.

[Hawkeye]

We’ve been had. The latest CBS interview is hysterical! “Dearest Lindsey, I had nothing to do with any of this. I believe in her heart Stevie wants you to come home”. Nauseating! LOL. This whole s**t show has been very “convenient” for ALL parties involved. A hodgepodge “lawsuit” settled out of court in 6 weeks? Lindsey gets “time off” from playing the same tired set list. Stevie gets to put her newly unemployed BFF Mike Campbell back to work for two years. Mick can make some cash while doing a favor for his friend Finn. (Finn and Campbell are working at only a fraction of Buckingham’s fee) Plus, the Buckingham Rodeo Drive camp gets paid. Chris keeps working. BIGGEST PAYOFF: We can stage a “surprise” The Dance Reunion/Farewell Tour in 2021 that will last 3 years for the ULTIMATE final cash grab. How underwhelming.

“In her heart, Stevie wants you home”. That was an especially nice touch! Way to go, you’ve pulled off the latest scripted drama in this 50 year train wreck! Lol—just hysterical! Can I hire the top secret PR person behind this delicious stunt? At least we can all relax knowing that Lindsey will be “back in the band” within 2-3 years. It’s certainly a gamble given the advanced age of these drama queens. I guess Irving Azoff was willing to roll the dice.

I actually hope that’s what happened. Absolute Genius idea if it was. So knowing Fleetwood Mac that can’t be true :laugh: except there has to be a new final album too for Lindsey to have been part of this scheme.

[SteveMacD]

And, really, it’s not like there was a lot of demand for another 1975-87 tour not all that long after the last tour. Adding Mike and Neil and playing a few deep cuts gave a compelling reason to see this tour, and makes it possible for the classic lineup to go out for one more cash grab without anything new.

[Hawkeye]

And Lindsey’s doing the best solo tour of his career by a mile. There’s no way his tour would’ve been as good as it is sandwiched between Fleetwood Mac shows. The logistics just doesn’t work. Or at the very least he would be playing far fewer shows.

[bombaysaffires]

I actually hope that’s what happened. Absolute Genius idea if it was. So knowing Fleetwood Mac that can’t be true :laugh: except there has to be a new final album too for Lindsey to have been part of this scheme.

right? and when was the last time all of them agreed on anything??

[HomerMcvie]

2021? Who's going to have any voice left then(NOW?)?

While I don't really disagree with any of your points, AGE is the thing that's going to keep this from happening. Who TF wants to tour at 80, croaking out EMBARRASSING notes, over and over?

If it was 10 years earlier, I'd buy this premise. Unlike the Rolling Stones, "time ain't on their side". Daisies are on their sides, at this point.

[FM77]

Nope. Nope. Nope.

[louielouie2000]

While I don't really disagree with any of your points, AGE is the thing that's going to keep this from happening. Who TF wants to tour at 80, croaking out EMBARRASSING notes, over and over?.

BB King, Pete Seeger, Leonard Cohen, Chuck Berry, Tony Bennett, Harry Belafonte, Burt Bacharach, Fats Domino, Loretta Lynn, Yoko Ono, Willie Nelson, Petula Clark, Jerry Lee Lewis, John Mayall, Buddy Guy, Kris Kristofferson, Bill Wyman... all of these people performed or are performing after 80... some after 90. So to say musicians have to pack it in after 80 is just completely untrue.

[David]

And, really, it’s not like there was a lot of demand for another 1975-87 tour not all that long after the last tour.But that's EXACTLY what THIS tour is. (Spare me the "deep cuts" spiel.)

Adding Mike and Neil and playing a few deep cuts gave a compelling reason to see this tour
Why do you find the prospect of listening to one of rock's premiere guitarists relegated to playing the Rhiannon lick night after night so compelling? Given the circumstances (a band of oldies playing oldies), why do you find Mike and Neil so compelling? Have you been waiting all your life to hear Neil wrap his pipes around Don't Stop?

If you're as sick of the set list as I am, why foist it on unsuspecting guitarists and singers who happen to be passing by, like Neil, Mike, Dave Mason, Bekka, or Rick? Do you imagine that any of them are or were invested in that set list in any but a financial way? Did they dream all night of playing such songs?

[David]

BB King, Pete Seeger, Leonard Cohen, Chuck Berry, Tony Bennett, Harry Belafonte, Burt Bacharach, Fats Domino, Loretta Lynn, Yoko Ono, Willie Nelson, Petula Clark, Jerry Lee Lewis, John Mayall, Buddy Guy, Kris Kristofferson, Bill Wyman... all of these people performed or are performing after 80... some after 90. So to say musicians have to pack it in after 80 is just completely untrue.
Don't forget Jim Morrison, who would have been 80 had he not died young.

[BombaySapphire3]

BB King, Pete Seeger, Leonard Cohen, Chuck Berry, Tony Bennett, Harry Belafonte, Burt Bacharach, Fats Domino, Loretta Lynn, Yoko Ono, Willie Nelson, Petula Clark, Jerry Lee Lewis, John Mayall, Buddy Guy, Kris Kristofferson, Bill Wyman... all of these people performed or are performing after 80... some after 90. So to say musicians have to pack it in after 80 is just completely untrue.

In a band known for it's sublime harmonies that will now sound like frogs with strep throat or dying canines:shrug:I guess they could just lip synch to cuts from the Dance or Fleetwood Mac live.

[HomerMcvie]

BB King, Pete Seeger, Leonard Cohen, Chuck Berry, Tony Bennett, Harry Belafonte, Burt Bacharach, Fats Domino, Loretta Lynn, Yoko Ono, Willie Nelson, Petula Clark, Jerry Lee Lewis, John Mayall, Buddy Guy, Kris Kristofferson, Bill Wyman... all of these people performed or are performing after 80... some after 90. So to say musicians have to pack it in after 80 is just completely untrue.

I never did belie he HE HE HEVE in miracles.

Try hitting those notes at 50, let alone 75 or 80.

It's already embarrassing...

[louielouie2000]

In a band known for it's sublime harmonies that will now sound like frogs with strep throat or dying canines:shrug:.

That sure as hell won’t stop them. Stevie, Mick, and John will all perform until they physically can’t. Stevie will be doing twirls in her mobility scooter when she can no longer stand, mark my word! :laugh:

It’s not like folks will stop going to see them, either. Even this karaoke tour is doing well. Nostalgia is a powerful drug.

[HomerMcvie]

In a band known for it's sublime harmonies that will now sound like frogs with strep throat or dying canines:shrug:I guess they could just lip synch to cuts from the Dance or Fleetwood Mac live.

THANK YOU!

It will all be lip synch, very soon.

They're THE BAND OF MY LIFE, but there's not much vocal life left in them. This isn't the blues, where you can just mumble your way through the songs.

FM 2021 - dirges from the funeral home tour.

[HomerMcvie]

Nostalgia is a powerful drug.

Not for people who want the real thing.

[mylittledemon]

“In her heart, Stevie wants you home”. That was an especially nice touch! Way to go, you’ve pulled off the latest scripted drama in this 50 year train wreck! Lol—just hysterical!

Now look here... Stevie or Chris can tell me any story that comes into their pretty little heads, just so long as at the end of that story I get my motherf***ing Rumours-5 Fleetwood Mac back!

[Macfan4life]

Interesting theory. Funny thing is I was thinking about something similar the other day but in the opposite direction. For Lindsey to "out" such a personal email and its contents from Christine does make the interview suspicious. What would be Lindsey's motivations to out such an email (if true). I am not sure I believe the PR stunt theory. However, is it possible Lindsey is being passive/aggressive to f*ck with Stevie's head? Lindsey states he almost has no bitter feelings and would feel welcome in the band again. He has been told that even Stevie misses him in her heart. If this was true, Lindsey would be burning bridges for outing Christine's escape hatch from his firing and revealing possible Stevie regrets. It does raise suspicions. Just maybe this is the ultimate revenge. He plays the choir boy innocence and has no ill will towards the band but at the same time states what someone is telling him from inside the band which is full of apologies and regret.
Its enough to make you go hmmmm. Maybe not a PR stunt but could it be the ultimate head f*ck to Stevie and Mick?

[DownOnRodeo]

He has been told that even Stevie misses him in her heart. If this was true, Lindsey would be burning bridges for outing Christine's escape hatch from his firing and revealing possible Stevie regrets. It does raise suspicions. Just maybe this is the ultimate revenge.

Remember, in the email, Christine says: "I believe deep in Stevie's heart that ..."

So that doesn't even qualify as hearsay, let alone an actual statement by Stevie.

And for me, the most telling word was "deep (in Stevie's heart)."
While no doubt I'm reading too much into it, I personally can't help seeing that as indicating (intentionally or not) that Stevie is far, far from any regret about her decision as far as missing Lindsey's company goes. Either Christine wishes it were so, or she was merely drawing on her own lyrical penchant for turning a pretty, romantic phrase.

I'm not saying he's the Second Coming and is above inclinations to some revenge, but sharing the email is to me mostly about giving the public and fans some much-wanted information and closure after what's happened this year, particularly from the perspectives of (i) that it was Stevie and not the rest of the band and (ii) protecting the narrative of the Buckingham McVie (aka "LMJC") project and the legacy of the Rumours 5. Edit: And knowing that Christine would not be "permitted" by Stevie And The Machine to make statement publicly herself.

It may well be that Christine, to salvage her own reputation among fans and clarify her own position in the matter, gave Lindsey the go-ahead--possibly even at her own initiative--to make the email public, on the premise that Lindsey did not suggest that it was anything other than a private email that he had decided to publicly reveal.

[Macfan4life]

Remember, in the email, Christine says: "I believe deep in Stevie's heart that ..."

So that doesn't even qualify as hearsay, let alone an actual statement by Stevie.

And for me, the most telling word was "deep (in Stevie's heart)."
While no doubt I'm reading too much into it, I personally can't help seeing that as indicating (intentionally or not) that Stevie is far, far from any regret about her decision as far as missing Lindsey's company goes. Either Christine wishes it were so, or she was merely drawing on her own lyrical penchant for turning a pretty, romantic phrase.

I'm not saying he's the Second Coming and is above inclinations to some revenge, but sharing the email is to me mostly about giving the public and fans some much-wanted information and closure after what's happened this year, particularly from the perspectives of (i) that it was Stevie and not the rest of the band and (ii) protecting the narrative of the Buckingham McVie (aka "LMJC") project and the legacy of the Rumours 5. Edit: And knowing that Christine would not be "permitted" by Stevie And The Machine to make statement publicly herself.

It may well be that Christine, to salvage her own reputation among fans and clarify her own position in the matter, gave Lindsey the go-ahead--possibly even at her own initiative--to make the email public, on the premise that Lindsey did not suggest that it was anything other than a private email that he had decided to publicly reveal.
I do stand corrected on that Christine quote. But the bigger point remains. If the email is true, what does Mick and Stevie think about Christine and Lindsey? Christine is guessing what Stevie thinks and telling Lindsey? Christine is throwing Mick and Stevie under the bus and running away from his firing. IMHO, its a chaos cannon that has been launched into the band. Does Christine feel betrayed? Did Lindsey use her to get revenge on Mick and Stevie?

[tsitopen]

Don't forget Jim Morrison, who would have been 80 had he not died young.

Clearly you still have it after all this time. Not sure about Steve

[jbrownsjr]

It's not a stunt. These people have become worse as they have aged. And as the bar for a certain 'life style" rising... creativity and art goes out the window for massive dollars.

It's a corporation, the product is overdone but yet still being sold. And the promoters are dictating how it will be sold.

reality

[TheWildHeart67]

It's beyond embarrassing for all involved, at this point. All 5 of them have absolutely zero integrity.

[ryan4136]

This is not a setup, the emotions are real. If it was a setup I think LB would've come out much more abrasive, and earlier for the drama, and they'd mention it in concert to get people riled up.

To those saying LB is being passive-aggressive in his comments. Damn right he is, now that the settlement is done, he's free.

More importantly he's free to speak in Stevie language. He knows what buttons he's pushing and it's by design. He's saying things in order to provoke a response in her.

To those thinking he and Chris are on good terms, I think that's far from accurate, but he wants Stevie to think so, but it clearly bothers her. I'm sure he's quite pissed at Chris, and she's far from innocent in this, at least not to the degree we want to believe she is. LB also knows he'll need Chris as an ally to get back in, which seems to already paying off.

John on the other hand, seems to be the one that realized how bad this move was, and would like to apologize, but everyone knows regardless of the decision his loyalty is to Mick. (Which is why LB leaked that Mick thought about replacing him to keep the tour going)

LB is smart, too smart for the rest, he knows exactly how to push buttons. In his younger years he did it to be a jerk, he's well versed at how to get each one going. Has he been a manipulator? Of course he has, now he's putting those skills to work for us the fans. (and his kids inheritance)

[secondhandchain]

PR stunt? At their ages? No way. People get more cranky and set in their ways (Stevie has turned into a bitter old hag) as they get older. This is real.

[luminol]

It's an interesting theory but I don't buy it for a moment.

First, as already stated, their ages are problematic to bank on anything too far in advance.

Second, I don't believe Lindsey's ego would allow for him to be faux fired from this band. I love, adore, and support LB til the cows come home (team Lindsey all day), but he does have an ego (as he should, given his talents, contributions, and successes) and I just cannot imagine him agreeing to this for money. It's not his style. I believe he just wanted a new album and Stevie simply cannot contribute anymore, and combined with their historic differences she pulled the power card and the others capitulated.

Third, the interviews, comments/lack of comments etc would have a very different tone if this was staged. I just cannot imagine this being anything but legit.

It's an interesting theory given their insane drama over the years... even into their 70s. But I think (sadly) this is reality.

[dreamsunwind]

None of the general public cares enough about Fleetwood Mac in 2018 for them to do something that elaborate lol.

[Aussie W/Heart]

Re: Christine's email to Lindsey, it's great to know Christine reached out to LB but i bet she really didn't want this to be public knowledge nor for Stevie to find out the contents of her email as well... This likely could back fire, as Christine might think twice & i imagine she has put herself in a tricky situation now that Stevie has found out about the email. Was this Lindsey's plan? I think so!! ;)

[secondhandchain]

I never did belie he HE HE HEVE in miracles.

Try hitting those notes at 50, let alone 75 or 80.

It's already embarrassing...

If that were Stevie's song that line would be unrecognizable notewise at this point. Think "would you STAY if they promised you heaven"

[HomerMcvie]

If that were Stevie's song that line would be unrecognizable notewise at this point. Think "would you STAY if they promised you heaven"

Just like imagining her singing Chris' intro and break part of Eye of the World.

And her Don't Stop during the Unleashed Tour. It's bahhhhhhhh'd!

[michelej1]

I agree that Lindsey’s disclosure of Chris’ email was a betrayal, but I am mad at her, so who cares. Plus, he is always doing sly things where she (the woman who burned her bridges in 20,000 of his interviews) is concerned.

Or maybe he had her permission to say she said that, to manipulate the others.

[louielouie2000]

Or maybe he had her permission to say she said that, to manipulate the others.

This is what my initial reaction was as well- Chris gave Lindsey permission in order to strong arm Stevie into ending this whole charade. Maybe this was Christine’s way of repaying Stevie & Mick for firing Lindsey while she was out of the country.

Back to the main topic- I don’t believe this whole thing was a PR stunt for one reason: Christine’s behavior during that first TV interview. She was just silent with her head hung. If the whole thing had been planned to give Lindsey a break from the cash grab big machine, Chris would have had a better poker face. Instead she seemed genuinely ashamed of the now-proven lies Stevie & Mick were spewing.

[elle]

This is what my initial reaction was as well- Chris gave Lindsey permission in order to strong arm Stevie into ending this whole charade. Maybe this was Christine’s way of repaying Stevie & Mick for firing Lindsey while she was out of the country.

Back to the main topic- I don’t believe this whole thing was a PR stunt for one reason: Christine’s behavior during that first TV interview. She was just silent with her head hung. If the whole thing had been planned to give Lindsey a break from the cash grab big machine, Chris would have had a better poker face. Instead she seemed genuinely ashamed of the now-proven lies Stevie & Mick were spewing.

plus once again getting it out there that she had nothing to do with it. :nod:

[bombaysaffires]

I think Lindsey is indeed pushing buttons and manipulating the media narrative.

He's putting it out there that should the band return to its senses, he would return. He's creating a media narrative that it was not him who did this (it was Stevie aided by Mick) because she lost her way and Mick is bad with money and is always open to any hare-brained scheme for making money and so was ripe for Stevie's picking (I mean, a guy who'd replace his "best friend" and partner in the band is pretty scuzzy); but, he'd still go back, so if the band never re-convenes it's not HIS fault, it's theirs. It all makes him look reasonable and Stevie look really bad. Did she do the things he says? It certainly seems so to me. So he's revealing both of their dirty laundry in the media, and making it very clear where the blame for all of it lies.

He's left John out of the mix entirely which is interesting. Does this relate to the whole living in the same neighborhood thing? Hard to say. They have certainly butted heads over the years. But the band has consistently said John doesn't play the band politics and just cuts people off at the knees if they try, so maybe he just knows to leave John out of it.

With Chris it's less clear.... I gotta think he's really pissed at her on some level, but he used the word "weak" to describe Mick and also Chris, and he also used "fragile" re: her as well. So he might feel betrayed but also know that she's the weakest link of the 3 (Stevie, Mick, Chris) and his best chance of having a connection to the band. Also, as far as pushing Stevie's buttons, I agree with those who say knowing there's still a relationship between Chris and Lindsey will bug Stevie on some level.
In the same way it's interesting that he's said he thinks Mick realizes he got played and would like to contact LB but is too embarrassed to do so...this feels like a similar way of pushing Stevie's buttons and hoping to make her question how onboard anyone else in the band really is.

But in the end, esp now that Irving has bought her a place in the RRHOF, I'm sure she really doesn't care that much. She's clawed her way to where she wants to be-- on top.

The ultimate play for him would be to do yet another album with Christine, which would again further highlight that the 2 are continuing to be creative in a way Stevie is totally not.

[michelej1]

In the same way it's interesting that he's said he thinks Mick realizes he got played and would like to contact LB but is too embarrassed to do

Except Mick is a player. He’s the one who massages and butters up everyone else to get what he wants. Stevie can’t deceive Mick. He chose a side with his eyes and his wallet wide open.

But him being too embarrassed to contact Lindsey reminds me of Mick saying Lindsey sat in his car outside for a long time after the Tango fight. Lindsey wanted them to come out and get him, but they were all too mad.

If we had 10 more years, this fracture would heal. But sand in the hour glass is getting low. A few of them will be dead in 10 years and some of us, too. We’ve run out of time.

[vivfox]

A few of them will be dead in 10 years and some of us, too. We’ve run out of time.

You're scaring me.

[luminol]

If we had 10 more years, this fracture would heal. But sand in the hour glass is getting low. A few of them will be dead in 10 years and some of us, too. We’ve run out of time.

Jeez. Truth bomb.




The truth hurts.

[BLY]

Yes....I have been preparing. That’s why we need to focus on the music ...old and new ...solo and band.........It’s about the music.

[DownOnRodeo]

If we had 10 more years, this fracture would heal. But sand in the hour glass is getting low. A few of them will be dead in 10 years and some of us, too. We’ve run out of time.

"Like sands through the hourglass.. this was the Band of Our Lives."

[HomerMcvie]

"Like sands through the hourglass.. this was the Band of Our Lives."

What a sour note to go out on.

[jmn3]

"Like sands through the hourglass.. this was the Band of Our Lives."

And like any bad soap opera, they've now resorted to letting their veteran cast members go and be replaced with recasts and actors from other canceled soaps.

Coming next week: we find out that Lindsey's being held captive on an island by some evil mystery person. We won't find anything out about who this person is until the next sweeps period.

[bombaysaffires]

A few of them will be dead in 10 years and some of us, too. We’ve run out of time.

And won't it be curious to see what is said/done when one of them goes...Reminds me of that line Stevie used to use all the time about her and LB, how "when one of us dies, the other will be sitting on a bed alone".

[HomerMcvie]

And won't it be curious to see what is said/done when one of them goes...Reminds me of that line Stevie used to use all the time about her and LB, how "when one of us dies, the other will be sitting on a bed alone".

Old Goat Breath is the only one that will be sitting alone. Hag.