I would have liked to have been at that show. Very interesting. I like to watch them during the unexpected and the way they interact with each other.



Michele

http://journalstar.com/entertainment...68648fc3d.html

By L. Kent Wolgamott | Lincoln Journal Star, January 18, 2015

Midway through Fleetwood Mac’s Pinnacle Bank Arena concert Saturday night, drummer Mick Fleetwood suddenly became ill.

“Mick is really sick,” Stevie Nicks told the crowd, adding that Fleetwood was backstage throwing up. “We feel terrible, but we can’t really make him play. Give us a minute, and we’ll figure out what to do.”

That turned out to be playing two more songs.

A drum tech named Steve took over Fleetwood’s kit for “Go Your Own Way,” which is usually the song the band plays before two encores.

Then, after a short break, Christine McVie returned to the stage at a grand piano, playing and singing “Songbird” accompanied by guitarist Lindsey Buckingham.

“Poor old Mick is really sick,” McVie said. “I sing this for him and for all of you.”

“Songbird” has been the final song on the band’s “On With the Show” tour, usually capping a 2½ hour show. Saturday’s truncated set ran just over 90 minutes.

“In all of our 40 years, this has never happened,” Nicks said.

Prior to the abrupt ending, Fleetwood Mac had pumped out 14 songs, all familiar to the 14,000-plus that packed the arena Saturday -- and sounded and looked good doing it.

Saturday's show was the second of 2015 for Fleetwood Mac and the 41st of 80 total dates on the "On With the Show" tour. That meant a fresh Mac, but one already tightened by 41 previous shows. And it is a complete band, thanks to the return of McVie, who came back to the group last year after a 16-year absence.

Her songs, "You Make Loving Fun,” “Everywhere” and “Say You Love Me" were highlights simply because they hadn't been heard live for years.

And she can still sing -- as can Nicks and Buckingham. Some of the songs have been dropped in key. But that didn't change the fact that the Mac -- now in their mid-60s to early 70s -- remains a fine band.

Perhaps evidence of how quickly Fleetwood’s illness hit him, I twice noted his solid drumming in my notes and the tightness of his work with bassist John McVie.

The show began with “The Chain,” “You Make Loving Fun” and “Dreams,” the song of the night that features Nicks, the biggest star in the Mac constellation. She, of course, connected with “Rhiannon,” doing one of her shawl dances while effectively delivering the witchy lyrics with her rough, seductive vocals.

The University of Nebraska marching band didn't turn up for "Tusk.” But Fleetwood Mac still rumbled and roared with Christine McVie strapping on an accordion to add to the crowd-pleasing stomp.

"Tusk" and its follow-up, "Sisters of the Moon," were among the loudest songs of a show that, while far from ear-splitting, was louder than I anticipated -- a good thing.

A good percentage of Saturday's crowd would have been little kids or, in Buckingham's words "not even born yet" during Fleetwood Mac's mid-'70s heyday.

"We're pulling in all ages. I love it. We must have done something right," Buckingham said before doing "Big Love" solo, demonstrating he's a wicked guitarist on a hollow-body electric.

He then switched to acoustic and was joined by Nicks for a touching version of "Landslide" that she dedicated to one of her best friends, Lisa, who she said is from "this amazing city" and must be hurting. "Lisa, all the people in this room are sending you love, every one of them," she said at the song”s end.

Buckingham then did a solo version of “Never Going Back Again” using the acoustic. Then came Nicks’ announcement of Fleetwood’s illness.

During her announcement, she said that Fleetwood Mac would return and do a show and a half, but that is unlikely, as are refunds for the shortened concert.

Are you kidding me? Backup plan? Its obvious that even though he was sick, he tried to make it through the show. It would have been easy to just cancel and move on. The tour is sold out everywhere and they would not even blink to miss one show. You don't replace key members of a band as some "back up plan." If Stevie is sick, should they bring a look alike who sings her songs? Of course not!
Extremely rare for a sub to come on stage to extend the concert by another song. Fleetwood Mac should be commended. I cant think of any band that went to such great lengths to put on a show.
Kudos to the audience for no booos.

You know, it's amazing the strain that even a common cold (and a hacking cough) can put on your body, if you're in a weakened state. Flu dehydration can be a very serious thing too. I can't even imagine drumming for 2.5 hours or engaging in other strenuous activity when I was suffering these symptoms.

I laughed at Stevie saying that they can't make him play. Why not? Just bully that dude.

Interesting that Stevie opted not to give her closing speech to the audience, without Mick being there to come after.

Michele

Fleetwood Mac forced to end Lincoln show early


By Ken Coffey, World Herald Staff, January 18, 2015

http://www.omaha.com/go/fleetwood-ma...16cce3e0b.html

LINCOLN — Fleetwood Mac may sound unstoppable, but the band can be halted.

On Saturday, the classic rock band had to call it a night early when drummer and founding member Mick Fleetwood came down with an unexplained illness.


In front of thousands packed into a sold-out Pinnacle Bank Arena, the band played as long as it could before throwing in the towel.


“Mick is really sick. We don’t know exactly what to do,” Stevie Nicks said, adding that Fleetwood suddenly became ill and was throwing up backstage.


Set to play more than two hours, Fleetwood Mac cut its set short by eight of its planned 24 songs and finished almost an hour early with “Go Your Own Way” and “Songbird,” and they had to call on a drum tech to get behind the kit to finish.


“We’re so sorry,” Nicks said. “In all of our 40 years, this has never happened.”


“It’s really unfortunate,” Lindsey Buckingham added. “We’re really sorry, guys.”


Despite calling Saturday's show in Lincoln early, Fleetwood Mac is planning to perform its next concert as scheduled.


A statement from the band said Fleetwood caught the stomach flu.


Despite having to skip songs such as “Little Lies” and “Don’t Stop,” Fleetwood Mac managed to play nearly 90 minutes, which is as much or more than most headliners.


Some of these songs are simply burned into our brains. Fleetwood Mac’s music is so pervasive that the notes of “Rhiannon,” the voices in “Chain” or the chorus of “Go Your Own Way” may be more familiar than the fact that they’re by the superstar band.


Those songs and the five classic members of the classic rock band are what thousands turned out to hear.


Full of raw excitement, the thousands of all-ages rock fans had a buzz about them not unlike teenagers waiting to hear One Direction.


No one seemed more excited than the members of Fleetwood Mac. Buckingham let out a gratifying yelp upon taking the stage hand-in-hand with Nicks. Fleetwood initially beat his drums like they were calling him names. Nicks danced with Christine McVie and John McVie during “Tusk,” all of them laughing.


Though I’m sure the shows are a nice payday, it’s a band that clearly has a passion for performing these songs possibly more than the audience had a passion for hearing them.


Christine McVie, back with the Mac for the first time since 1998, led the band through the beautiful harmonies of “The Chain.” It’s good to have her back considering her songs, such as “You Make Loving Fun” and “Everywhere,” are some of the biggest and best the band has in its catalog.


“Thanks to the members of Fleetwood Mac, who I adore and love, for letting me come back and do this again,” she said.


The combination of Buckingham and Nicks was, as always, the highlight of the night. As Buckingham finger-picked the guitar jam “I Know I’m Not Wrong,” Nicks twirled around with her scarves. They smiled and winked while playing “Seven Wonders,” and they were swarmed with a low hum of voices from the audience during “Landslide.”


The famous tune about changing and getting older came during an acoustic interlude that included “Big Love” and “Never Going Back.” The trio of songs came as the band scrambled to figure out what to do without Fleetwood before deciding to call it a night.


“We will come back. You’ll get one and a half full-on shows,” Nicks told the audience. “We will come back. We’re so sorry.”


The band finished the concert by calling on a drum tech to fill in for "Go Your Own Way" before finishing with "Songbird."


****

I had the stomach flu last week and it is NOT fun.I sat in the chair all night with my head on the table and body doubled over from stomach/intestinal cramps,not to mention terrible chills alternating with hot flashes all night.Mick,if nothing else,is a real trooper.IMO Stevie sounded a little sarcastic like "don't worry.When we come back you'll get one and a half shows,not just the remainder of this one.So don't start bi***ing about it":sorry:.I can't imagine the chaos that went on backstage:eek:Reminds me of the story in CarolAnn's book about when Lindsey had a seisure in Philly and she wanted to call an ambulance but Mick said NO.Lind's was expected to go onstage that evening and perform and he did just that.But I know that you can't drum and puke at the same time,just sayin'.....get well soon Mick:angel:

I guess this situation won't be helping Christine's panic attack issues....

How? I think she seems pretty in control and sensible.

http://www.drummagazine.com/features...r-another-guy/
"One of the weirdest tales in the Moon legend concerns the night Keith passed out onstage, and was replaced by a 19-year old drummer, pulled from the audience."

Feel better soon, Mick. We love you.

Great footage Elle.At 1:20 Lindsey seems pissed at Stevie when they're talking and he throws his hands up and walks away.I bet they had a real nice conversation later.Always drama with them,not planned this time but still...There's no escaping it

It seemed to me that Lindsey was just giving one of those, "What else can we do?" gestures, but it is funny watching the hand movements between them. At one point it looks like Stevie was playing an air guitar or something as she was talking. Gesticulation.

Michele

:eek: Oh, I just cringed when I read this thread. Poor Mick & what a trooper. Jeez I hope it is just a little stomach virus & not this bad flu going around. It's been bad in my state. Hope no one else in the band gets it. And did they disinfect the drums before Steve started drumming?

Hope it's really on with the show & Mick gets well soon.

Lee :sorry:

sorry i just noticed you already posted the link to that vid i later embedded. grateful to whoever recorded that video - great capture of everything happening.
don't think so. i think his gesture is just kind of like "ah it is what it is" not anything directed at SN.

those viruses are really nasty. and highly infectious usually. hope the rest of the band stayed away from Mick's bucket and nobody else catches it. but glad it's not something more serious.

Sorry to hear that Mick fell ill, but I'm glad it was just a stomach virus and nothing more serious.

I thought the way they played out rest of the show was probably the smartest, most sensible thing to do.

I don't think we'll have to worry about any of them going near that bucket......

I agree..

1. They informed the crowd.
2. They played a 2 more numbers.
3. They promised to come back.

Class....

U2 replaced Bono with Bruce and Chris Martin and Carrie Underwood. :shrug:

not sure what you think the "backup plan" means in the context we were talking about - you seemed to have reacted really strongly to it.

Superstar singers replacing superstar singers. The crowd would have loved Bono or Bruce to step in for Stevie. But this is the drummer Mick Fleetwood. Mick Fleetwood plays behind the beat and I don't think there are many drummers that can just step in and replace him. His drumming style is unique.
Long story short...... YES Mick Fleetwood is irreplaceable :)

i'm not sure why you think anybody's arguing Mick should have been replaced? :confused:

but since they knew he was sick (they can't be that oblivious that they had no clue?! the man was throwing up in a bucket the whole St Paul show, apparently), they could have thought of at least one more song from each of the songwriters that could have been done without drums, as a backup if something goes wrong. or with light drums that drum tech could do, or with click track or something. it could have been really special, they could have come off looking really really great if they were able to actually improvise some.

from dickdash blog:


News:

I have just heard from Mick personally and I am happy to report he is feeling much better as they rehydrate him and he should be fine to go for the next show. He really appreciates everyone’s well wishes and “with a stiff upper lip, shall carry on”.

…..r

2 hours ago

They could have done acoustic versions of OMH, Gypsy, and World Turning, and have Steve fill in on Don't Stop and GYOW. Of course, Songbird would be its usual.

Little Lies, GDW, ISA, and Silver Springs would be the only songs cut.

this is awesome! I mean Lindsey does whole shows without a drummer so he shouldn't be too thrown by this.

THe one it actually impacts the most is John, as he has to play bass to the kick drum and Mick has a very unique style, playing a little behind the beat, and this guy totally does not play that way… so in order for the song not to sound totally cattywampus he'd have to adjust his playing the most. Which of COURSE he did beautifully!!!!!

Is there any footage of the time BEFORE this point? Did anyone capture Mick leaving the stage-- wondering if he just left of his own energy or if someone had to help him off?? Poor guy. I'm still shocked he did that show after puking all during the previous night's show.

They should of finished up with songs that didn't require drums or just did some acoustic versions of songs. This shouldnt be about egos, it should be about the audience. I'm sure a lot of those people won't be able to show up for the replacement concert.

He had already left the stage with Christine and John and got real ill backstage during Lindsey and Stevie's duo act.

Ha, but even trying to remember how to do Say Goodbye again is a pretty huge step for these guys, Elle. They would have had to be up all Friday night practicing it.

Stop being so ambitious.

Michele

Stevie could have said, "Uh guys? Do you want to hear Landslide again?"

Michele

They better hold up their end of the deal about coming back and doing 1.5 shows or Stevie is in deep s**t with the band.An article posted somewhere that although she promised that,it was highly unlikely that it would occur given their current schedule is packed like sardines.If they back out of this it will leave a real bitter taste in alot of people's mouthes regarding the integrity of the band.Not a good way to end their final chapter.I can almost hear them backstage going to Stevie"WHAT THE F**K DID YOU TELL THEM THAT FOR!!?YOU KNOW WE CAN'T DO THAT YOU DOPE!!!"The whole scene will be in Mick's next book:D

i know, right?

Anybody have video of Mick puking?

Remember when George Bush, Sr. got sick and threw up and it was caught on camera. They were at some sort of honorarial dinner and you could just see him keel over to the side. Barbara looked concerned.

Michele

thanks, Viv.

TOTALLY! He puked on some higher up Japanese guy.

Wow...glad Mick is going to be okay. I love seeing this band have a curveball thrown at it. Like Elle mentioned, the completely choreographed set puts the Mac at a disadvantage in this situation - they have very little ability to quickly make any changes to the set. Thankfully this is an incredibly rare exception, but it would be interesting to have seen them try a few other acoustic songs as well as Don't Stop in addition to GYOW and Songbird.

Steve did a good job on GYOW...I can't imagine the nerves that I'd have if I were put into that situation in front of a crowd! It seemed like there was a little stumble coming out of the first solo but it quickly was rectified.

Gotta wonder what was going on with poor Mick when they started "Go Your Own Way" and he could hear the drums. . . .

"mmmmMMMUUGGGHHH what are they DOING out there!? Who the hell is THAT?" ;)


Anyhoo - - - Another page in the legend - now,

"ON with the SHOW!" :thumbsup:

I agree, this was something Stevie probably said sincerely in the confusion of the situation but there is no way they could come back. You would have to still have to charge money and it's doubtful a small market like Lincoln could support that. The ticket prices make that somewhat prohibitive.

They did play 2/3 of the show so it was enough. I am sure fans were disappointed but understood the unusual circumstances.

They could have done Say Goodbye. Or an Acoustic Version of Go Insane

Thanks for agreeing with me FM77 but the majority of the people are royally pissed.I have really mixed feelings about this,it's just such a bad situation for all involved.There was just so much hype,anticipation,and excitement involved not to mention the aggravating time and money spent just trying to get a freaking ticket to this show.I know I could hardly focus on anything else when their magic finally came to Philly and if that had happened that night I would have broken down.On the other hand,this was just a effed up situation,as Stevie says,"You Can't Fix This".Also I know that alot of people were waiting to see GDW b/c it seems to be the highlight of the show and is always mentioned in the reviews,and it was completely cut.IMO they should have done GDW instead of GYOW with the tech for this very reason(not to make light of GYOW,so don't hate me Elle!)I don't think they'll come back,especially since this was their second show there.I also think Stevie did make that statement in the heat of the moment but she is a smart cookie too.Fear of mass rage/hysteria is quite a motivator......Whew!too much coffee this morning:lol:Thanks for listening guys.

If they can't come back then refund the money. It's not like they need it. Sure their fans need it more.

That would be the sensible thing to do. Just refund it, minus the surcharge, of course. I know they played 90 minutes of a show, but as a gesture of goodwill to the people of Lincoln and thereabouts, and as a symbol of the band's goodwill to all of their audiences, they should just say Lincoln was a wash and return the money.

They'd get A LOT of cred that way.

With regards to "they should have gone on and played this" or "they should have played that" I think the band reacted pretty well in that crisis. It doesn't surprise me that they only did two more songs. They were all probably freaked out.

Interesting tidbit: during the Tusk Tour in Rochester, NY, John McVie was suffering from food poisoning and had to make frequent detours from the stage. Throughout the night, a bass tech filled in for him. I mention this not as a way to say this is what the Mac should have done in Lincoln but as a reminder of how important Mick's presence is to the rest of the band. Without him at the helm, the ship sinks, or never sets sail. (Bad metaphors, I know.)

I'm relieved to hear he is on the mend.