Again, her position didn't change from any previous time she commented when she wouldn't commit to it or even express any interest in it. She was just a little more pissy about it in this particular interview, but the overall sentiment hasn't changed.

I'm not saying her position has changed, she just sounds really ridiculous.

Yeah, I don't think she'll regret it. I think she'll be rather pleased with herself when she rereads the interview. Which is not to say I don't think she'll eventually do an album, but I think she is very happy to go on record as being the reluctant one, pushing for a life of her own outside of FM, when all the others are content to do the same thing they've always done, because they don't know how to do anything else. I mean she said that in an interview a few months back -- that they just stay with the band because they don't know how to do otherwise.

Anyway, we've got that Mojo interview coming up too. Steel yourself people, we may be in for some more jolts.

I'm just amusing myself, because I think that's what the mother of the Dionne quintuplets said when she had to tell the other four that one of the sisters had died. "Brace yourself little girls!"

Then, of course, there's Bette Davis' famous, "fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy ride."

Ya could have said NO to those extra shows. Stop your whining.

And my feeling is, if someone really doesn't want to be there, do you WANT them there.

It's like John said about Christine in the SYW program. He said that she was so miserable during the Dance tour that it was good she left. She shouldn't be there if in her heart she didn't want to be.

I want an album with all five of them, but knowing that Stevie is against it makes me think nothing good will come of it. We may get a couple of good songs from her, but if she was there under duress, all we will get is a lot of bad vibes and complaints about the process of making those songs. And I don't want to do this at this stage of everyone's life -- including mine.

So, without accusing her or saying she should just grin and bear it, I say let her go. She'll come back when she's ready. But if you force it, it's only going to lead to more hostility. I want them to stop talking about her reluctance as a barrier to them not moving forward and just go on with what they have.

And it's not just that Christine has returned. John had cancer too. Doesn't that make anyone want to do something differently? If you were too scared to put out an album without a big label before, the knowledge of mortality should have changed that. If you didn't want to make an album without Stevie for commercial reasons, isn't THIS the time to say, "What have we got to lose if we do?" And also ditch the feeling that it's the end of the band if Stevie doesn't record with you. She can record in the future. This doesn't have to be the end of anything. Michele

Michele

If she really wanted to make a power move and/or hold the band hostage as people here are fond of saying (I can't tell you how much I hate those words), that would have been the thing to do. If they had skipped the second leg of US shows, they could have finished Europe and Australia by now. As it is, FM spent 2013 on the road without Christine. On With The Show will end up being nearly a year and a half long. After finishing this album, who knows what kind of tour they would want to launch to support it. This is adding up to be several years of work, most of it on the road. I'm pretty much a die-hard, but even I think that's too much Fleetwood Mac!

Stevie sounds like a spoiled child - poor little rich girl! But I can't fault her for being a little peeved that this long tour has gone on longer than expected, due to demand, as well as greed. I worried the demands of this epic world tour were going to burn them out, and they apparently have.

Her comments are raw and candid. She seems really pissed off. Mick's comments about wishing that Lindsey and Stevie could get along, similar to Christine and John. I wish that too! Unfortunately, the two uppity Americans in the group can't get beyond their past and their egos. Though Lindsey can be exacting in manner, he seems much more amiable than Stevie. I understand her frustrations, but why does she always portay the band as her nemesis?

She mentions how tiresome it is to relive the past over and over. Yet she is entirely guilty of incessantly pandering to it. She spends more time in the past than the present or the future. That choice is hers. She is the only one in the band that doesn't play an instrument, thus she is absolved of the demands the rest of the band face when recording an album. To honor the band (as well as the fans), the least she could do is give them three or four songs to work on, spend a few days in the studio cutting the solos and backgrounds, and be on her way.

This is near the end of the road for Fleetwood Mac. Stevie, show some respect and consideration for the band and the fans. A little sympathy? You need a little sympathy. I hate the prospect that she might end her rein in Fleetwood Mac on such caustic terms. I'd rather have her on the album than not. But if not, I hope that won't stop Lindsey and Christine from finishing and releasing a Stevie Free album. Surely it will be a super fine Buckingham McVie album.

I think the underlying issue that really comes through with the article is that Fleetwood Mac is in a position that very, very few bands have ever been in. Let me explain...

There is no question that, on the surface, Fleetwood Mac has been a "nostalgia" act for the last 6-7 years or so (the 2009 tour through to now). However, unlike The Stones, or other "classic" bands that continue to blast out the hits to essentially the same crowd, Fleetwood Mac has actually been gaining popularity and respect all through the last decade. I think that this is something quite unique considering the last time a studio record with all 5 was released was in 1987. Yet, despite the time frame, a massive new audience of indie rock artists and fans have been driven to the band because of their body of work (which, compared to most "big bands" is relatively small). So while the set lists have pretty much been the same (except, of course, now with Christine's material back in the fold) the demand for tickets has skyrocketed due to a huge influx in fans; I can't think of another band in FM's rock category that has gained the amount of relevance with such a distance between their most creative time period.

Because of this sudden resurgence of interest in the band, the question is how to best deal with a new round of fame? It seems as if the bands management (and members) are in a "go-go-go" frame of mind; run this new interest in the band to the ground, doing all that can be done to maintain it. Lindsey and Christine seem to have been given artistic inspiration from the band's current status and I truly do believe each of them when they state that they are making great music and are excited about releasing it. And while I'm sure Mick has a vested interest in new music, I think his approach to the band's current status has been to "sell-sell-sell" out arenas worldwide. In retrospect, I think the extension of this tour (while it did allow me to see them!) will be viewed as a mistake (it has taken a toll on their energy for sure).

Stevie seems uncertain about what to make of this new relevancy. She's a very smart individual who knows the music business in a way that none of us on this board will ever know. I'm sure she realizes that if she gives into the band with everything they are wanting of her, the FM train could go on and on and on. As a fan, I want her to be a part of whatever the band is doing. However, I can see her point about needing to get away; If you're tired, you're tired. Knowing that there is a massive audience available to the band now has probably created much debate within the band: how to deal with this 'event'? For Stevie, it seems she wants to acknowledge all the new interest in FM but at the same time to be able to keep her sanity. Whatever you think of the band, one thing is certain: the chaos and turmoil they have always spoken of is real. This is a band of individuals who even until now, when most bands would be basking in the success FM has been having recently, seem to have fundamental differences on how they view life and their creative output.

It may sound crazy, but I don't want to see them embark on another tour, especially if Stevie isn't on board. They don't need the money, and the physical demands become more demanding at their age. The tours are just cash grabbers.

I hope they schedule just a few key shows, featuring a good portion of their new songs, and broadcast a filmed show much like The Dance. Find other promotional tactics, like a webcast, and other creative ways to market the album and connect with their fans. Their tours sell nostalgia, not new music. Tours have a shelf life. Albums live forever. At this point it shouldn't be about selling out shows or chart success, it's about putting the exclamation mark on their creativity and musical legacy.

Fantastic post Andy Man!:thumbsup:
A great read, full of deep insight and thoughtful perspective.
The Andy Man can! (in my head I'm hearing the song The Candy Man).

24 Karat Gold was recorded in 3 weeks, she doesn't have to spend months in the studio.....providing she has some new material. (if not rob the vault)
However, she has a valid point, she sounds exhausted and deserves a long break...
Go to Malibu, have fun furnishing your house.
Don't see or even speak to any of FM, then in 6 months time come back and do your 3 weeks in the studio...
I agree with other contributors, she sounds totally pissed off with the whole FM thing ....the girl needs a break.

None of their positions surprise me. What surprises me is how openly they admitted their frustrations. Christine sounds largely positive but she HAS had 16 years of rest and regret to make her come running back with open arms. Mick, Lindsey, and Stevie sound fed up with one another.

Yes, the tour should have been much shorter (around 40 American dates, period.) Then they should have continued work on the album.

I'm sure that Stevie will eventually hand in a few songs and dutifully perform but I'm sensing all of this seems so remote to her because right now she doesn't have a single song in her. She's worn out. She has not recorded new material for the band since 2003. David Stewart coaxed the old self out but that is a different Stevie. The Mac Stevie might never come back. There's a good chance the songs she contributes to the new album will sound like parodies of the woman who wrote Landslide.

Before pointing fingers, should any of this be surprising? The only album session where they didn't fight was during the making of the White Album (as far as we know). Extroverts and introverts often work well together. But Stevie (extrovert) and Lindsey (introvert) just irritate each other to no end. It's admirable that they are still recording together, but, really, they should not be together in a band.

I mean, is there even a reason to call this "pointing fingers" anymore? We all know who wants an album and who doesn't. They know and they pretty much all just admitted it, even Stevie herself. Sure, they can change their minds, they have a million times before in the past. But at this present time, this is what we're faced with as a fan base and it's clear where the blame lies.

At this rate I'd wager Stevie was simply talking out of her ass about wanting Christine back in the band at this point, given I think she was just about ready to call it a day and now suddenly she can't without looking like the wicked witch of the west who put an abrupt end to the Holy Five-Piece reunion. She just simply never, ever thought it would happen where Christine would change her mind. Now things are different. The band is fully whole again and she's now faced with more demand for the Mac than ever, something that can't sit well with her so the band was faced with; A) Pocket off the sudden demand for the Rumours era of the Mac or B) Take an extended hiatus from tour exhaustion and watch the demand slowly fade away. With the momentum they received upon Christine's return, they would've been extremely foolish to not make their move then and there with how fickle the industry is in times like these.

Sure, there has always been this kind of diva/childish/holier-than-thou behavior from at least somebody in the band but given the circumstances; Christine's return, their ages, John's cancer, you'd think they'd have (excuse my language) grown the **** up and just get on with it before someone drops dead from natural or unnatural causes. Let's face it; nobody wants to see a fragile Mick, Lindsey or wheelchair bound Stevie barely keeping rhythm and holding notes anymore for 2 and a half hours. They need to keep trucking until the sun sets because let's face it, it's setting pretty fast at this rate and they're simply running out of time. They are not youngsters anymore who can spend a decade toying about with solo projects while treating each other like pieces of crap and bickering back and forth about the future of the band. They need to work out the finality of this band before it's too late. However, if they want to go out looking like idiots who can't get along for more than 2 months to finish a studio album and would rather 'play pretend' on stage for the rest of their lives, that's on them. They should at least have the dignity of going out like a class act instead of a bunch of emotionally fragile individuals.

Rant over. Just sick of this drama. What was once entertaining has grown very tiresome and annoying.

The article actually gives me a twinge of nostalgia, as it very easily could have been written in 1982 or 1987. Each band member is playing the same role they've been playing for over 30 years. They're nothing if not consistent. :rolleyes:

All that said, they sound exhausted. The extended tour may be profitable, but it also apparently comes at a high cost, on many fronts.

This is an even better approach than my suggestion. My suggestion was basically an effort to bluff Stevie into making the album. Sometimes I try too hard to placate the strong pro-Stevie element on this board. Give her a graceful exit from this next project, while leaving the door open to more FM projects for her in the future.

The Four have a bunch of songs partially done. It really doesn't need to take a long time for them to finish them up. I want to hear those songs, and I am not in the slightest bit interested in hearing songs from Stevie when she's in a bad mood and feeling like she's being forced to do something she doesn't want to do.

This would be a good time to remake I Don't Want to Know. Then we'd be able to hear it in concert.

I think of it this way: The five of them have not toured extensively like this together since Tusk! Think about that for a minute.

This is the nature of their relationship. It always has been and always will be. Now imagine having to go to work with that person from your past that you loved so much, had a horrible break up with. Not to mention the livelihood of others depended on that work. You'd leave the band, have a breakdown, do too many drugs, drink too much, etc. It makes perfect sense to me at nearly 67 Stevie is over it.

The Stones have a much larger catalogue. They tweak the arrangements and are known for their massive stage set up. They also will go out and play small venues. And like Fleetwood Mac, they still sound good. So that is the draw with the Stones.

To be honest, I really think they should have waited to do this tour. I guess all they saw were dollar signs when Christine decided to return and figured they would milk it for all it was worth from the get-go.... but I think a smarter long-term plan would have been to use 2014 to record the album, tour 2015 to promote it [along with the return of Chris], and then decide where to go (if anywhere) from there. By doing the back to back tours it wore everyone out and now they're all sick of each other (or at least Stevie and Lindsey are, and Mick sick of them being sick of each other). I just feel like they would have had a better shot to actually get some new music out if they'd have gone that route instead.

I know Stevie was reluctant to record to begin with, but I think there was a better shot at getting her to do it in 2014 then there's going to be in 2016 or whatever they're trying to do.

Dude, this is way too much planning for Fleetwood Mac. :lol:

except they tried getting her to record in 2014. she said no.

it almost seems like they were trying to bluff her into recording in the first 6 months of 2014 by setting up the tour in the fall and saying "gotta do it now, cause we'll tour later and there will be no time". didn't work.

and remember, last year before they had UK dates set Christine was talking about maybe trying to finish and get that album out before the European leg of the tour.

so it looks like at several points they had either the option of finishing the album (basically Stevie to say yes and participate) or adding more tour dates. seems that given these 2 options Stevie chose the tour over the album every time... the option she's complaining about now.

They did fight with each other during the White album and Stevie said they were threatening that they didn't want to be in the band with each other anymore. But she says she didn't even participate that time, because she still felt like her position was tenuous. She just observed them all fighting.

Michele

I never heard any of this before. I agree with SpyNote.

Right now I don't see the relevance of a new album. Who cares about a FM album, aside from some fans and some people who needs gifts for people who have everything.

I get touring, but the creative output of the band has been minimal for decades now, with (imho) no member being particulary successful in a solo effort, neither creativly nor finanicially. So Stevie knows better than everyone else how good her material is right now, how Lindsey will produce her stuff, what conflicts they will have over it, she knows how the marketing will work, how good the album will sell. The EP wasn't exactly a success. Stevie knows the game, she is playing it for decades. Maybe she is right with "it isn't worth it".

It seems like Stevie has always sort of done what people told her to do. Unlike with say, Lindsey, who follows his creative muse wherever that takes him, Stevie grapples with the plight of being hugely successful, feeling like she has to do the same hit songs over and over again at every show ever, with FM or in her solo work... And her solo work is always second to Fleetwood Mac. She dutifully comes through with an album when she has to fulfill a quota for her record company, she tours extensively with FM even though she wants a break...

I imagine the Christine thing isn't her faking it and dragging her feet for publicity. She's probably really conflicted because she feels pressure to do the album for all the reasons we've said -- they're all getting older, Christine's back, fans would like it, etc. -- but also she's tired... Yeah, she's getting older, so shouldn't she use this time to do what she wants to do for once? She's always talking about all these projects she wants to do, such as a Rhiannon movie, or a one-woman show of all the songs we don't usually see, yet she doesn't have any time to do them because FM always interferes!

I would love to see another album with all five members, but I would want them to be happy and engaged. If that happens with four members, I'd still like to hear what they come out with.

But then again, my interest is in the music and not the money. If they would rock the songs they've never, or only rarely, performed in concert, but want to play, I would pay to see that, even if the hits were dropped. Same with Stevie's solo career.

In fact, I think you can tell when Stevie's really into what she's doing. She's been very into it lately performing tributes to other artists and interacting with other groups and people... But I can see why she might be going through the motions a little with FM at this point. I saw them this year and they were so amazing, so it pains me to think she was not feeling it so much. In a perfect world they'd all be happy to be there. Give her the break, and reconvene organically so the dates and obligations don't get in the way!

interesting thought....

I watched the recent interview with Ken Caillat on some local Santa Barbara chat show that someone posted in another thread... and he told a story of how it was Stevie who, as they were going in to make Rumours, said basically, listen we're having all this success and our next album could be really successful so let's not fight and break up let's continue and be even more successful. And I stumbled across and interview with the late John Stewart online and in it he recounted how, during the making of his Bombs Away Dream Babies album she was encouraging him in making a commercially-viable album saying (according to him) 'we've all made the other kind of album (artistic but not commercially successful) and having a hit album is so much more fun' We've always known she's the most image-conscious and is totally into selling as many copies of her albums as she can. (As Christine noted, 'she's a brand' and she's very savvy about it). So I'm sure she's thought about the sales figures.

But even she's got to know by now that NO ONE is selling vast numbers of albums anymore. That's in the past. Not even her solo stuff will sell big.

The question is, if she doesn't want to work with FM, what *does* she want to do next? She really hasn't said--we assume another solo LP, but we don't know. Yes she's mentioned at times she might like to do another Vault-type album, but she's been very quiet in any interviews about what exactly her next work goal is... she just seems to talk a lot about going off to her Malibu trailer or whatever. :shrug:

Nobody cared about the EP because 1) the music was poor 2) it wasn't the full Rumours lineup 3) the EP was digital download only (not exactly the core FM fanbase medium of choice) 4) it wasn't a full album.

I disagree about nobody caring about a new album, though. Look how well the Eagles last album sold. FM needs one last studio album with the Rumours 5 to tie up there legacy. And it needs to be a great one. If they do that, they can truly go out on top all while having something vital and creative to say. It could be a great critical coup for the band.

I actually think it's Lindsey who's dropped his solo work for FM way more than Stevie over the years. That may be in part because he sells more, or his music get to "more ears" with FM than on a solo album, but nevertheless... I don't recall any aborted Stevie solo LPs due to FM....shortened tours maybe...

And Stevie frankly had a fair bit of time, especially late 80s and into the 90s for all the projects that piled up over the years... blame her drug use and other life choices for a lot of that work not getting done. Or her unwillingness to block out time and say no to other stuff. I mean, sure it's fun to take off and follow the Heartbreakers around on tour (more than once) but that comes at the expense of other stuff.... didn't she say her manager told her the last time she went off with Tom that that time on the road with him was all her vacation time for the year??

Yes FM has been a leash that pulls her back, but her need to party and have fun and socialize versus buckling down sometimes has also wasted huge chunks of time over the years.

Right - and at that point she knew she was about to have to go back on tour with them and wanted some time for herself to do the 24KG stuff.

If they had postponed touring until after the album was finished, PERIOD, then she would have had time to do 24KG and take a vacation and potentially be ready then to tackle recording with them.

Again, I'm not saying that it WOULD have worked out - I just think they would have had a better shot of eventually getting her to do something on the album if they didn't try to tour for like 3 years straight and then do an album directly after.

Good point about Lindsey... Was more referring to how he seems to have more creative control over his work, but you're right, that has come at the expense of often having to merge solo projects with Fleetwood Mac.

I think not having obligations is what Stevie wants. She seemed like she was really enjoying herself onstage with the Heartbreakers, and I don't think she looks back and sees that as wasted time. I mean she's 67 years old! Most people retire around that age, and it's about time she learned to choose what projects were more important to her.

As far as selling future albums or staying relevant goes, FM is not fading into irrelevance, as some may think. Stevie is right to go on TV shows like American Horror Story to appeal to a wider audience. I'm in college, and I watch AHS with a regular group every week when it's on, and since her episodes aired, I've lent a bunch of people CDs of both FM and her solo work. Also helped with her image, I think... For people of my generation who have definitely heard of her but don't know all the details of her career and personal life, she comes off very godmotherly, like her "white witch" image in AHS.

With the right kind of publicity, i.e. getting your (new) music on a popular TV show or movie, especially one with an already great soundtrack, you can definitely actually sell albums, because otherwise how would consumers even know new music is out there? The average young person is definitely not watching a morning or daytime talk show... That tactic is trying to appeal to the mainstream but kinda missing the target audience IMHO.

There's a reason Rumours-era FM is still so popular today, and it's because it's good music. People like and will buy good music, it's just a matter of getting it on the radio or on Pandora, or on TV or social media, or panels at a con... some medium that people are already watching. Look at Cher, who keeps herself in the news just by tweeting!

Wow, that was a huge tangent. But I think in part the lack of effort to reach out holds Fleetwood Mac back. Lindsey visiting USC and Stevie showing up on AHS and Glee probably made at least 20% of those audiences go on Youtube and look up the band just because their interest was piqued. I wish they weren't so removed from social media in some ways, because then they could see the effect their music still has on people and maybe be inspired to make more, even if not in a conventional way. Just getting one new song on the radio would be a jumping off point for the entire band to sell a new album (and old albums) well.

Well that article sure took off some of the excitement about spending tons of money on flying to London from Sweden on Wednesday to see the show Thursday😔

Some of you here have some real damn issues with these 5 living up to your individual-specific expectations. I think Stevie spelled it out perfectly here.

They've been touring 3 years solid. She wants a break and as far as I'm concerned it is well deserved of her to take time off as she damn well pleases.

Stevie and Lindsey don't get along, what's new?

Did you all really expect FM to pull an album out of their ass just like that and then giving Stevie all the hate because she wants to take some time off?

I think some of you in here should be ashamed of your comments. New music or not we should be lucky they are still around doing what they do, and politics aside, we should be savoring these moments of music that they are delivering despite how old the songs are, how often they play them, and how tired they are.

It is NOT for anyone here to be judging how this group wants to create an album, and some of you need to take it down a notch.

In my opinion, I would rather have a great sounding Fleetwood Mac record from 5 well-rested individuals who want to love to make music and take the time to make a great record, not being shoved, forced, or coerced into a record because we have to have it right this second without care of the feelings of certain people in this band.

Geezaloo people. Get a grip.

don't think that way, go and enjoy, i'm sure it will be an amazing show!!

Christine, Lindsey, John and Mick are having the time of their lives up there and it radiates from that stage. and yes Stevie sometimes does too, and sometimes just goes through the motions but if you don't sit on her sidestage from where that's the most visible you won't even notice. i guess it depends on the day, what aches she has or how tired she is - so here's hoping you catch her on the good day!

I think you're ignoring the nuances of the situation. First of all, Stevie is partially to blame for the situation she's in. She has a say in what the band does and does not do and yet she seems to hold resentment in having to do this tour. Second I don't think people are complaining so much that There isn't an album being released imminently, so much as Stevie shows no interest in doing an album or writing songs for the band. She didn't last year before the tour when the rest were in the studio and she hasn't at any point since. She didn't say and has not expressed or implied at any point that she would be interested in doing a Fleetwood Mac album after she takes a break (Lindsey basically confirms this....she's not committed to doing a studio album at all). She's the reason there hasn't been an album since 2003 and she barely contributed to the 2013 EP and even with the return of Christine her stance on the subject still has not changed. So this isn't all about her situation right at this moment and that "she's tired and she needs some rest" because this has been going on for a long time. The rest of the band understands this and they all want to do it now. The fact that Christine's return didn't motivate Stevie one bit to get back in the studio with the band should be a concern. It may never happen with Stevie on board.

But all that aside they don't have all the time in the world. Time catches up to everyone.

Well, then you don't listen to Stevie -- which is to be advised.

Michele

They'll all be rested and in a better frame of mind. I'm sure the show will be great.

Well said. Applause!

While I keep reminding myself of the playboy interview Mick did and what a shock that was, I'd like to take the attitude of this too shall pass...but that was Mick we're talking about. Stevie is entirely different and when she is not happy, she is really not happy and it takes years to fix her kind of unhappiness it seems like....but years is something that this band doesn't necessarily have.

This whole situation baffles me and saddens me. Lindsey and Stevie are nearly 70 years old and as Mick said - they will probably never be able to sit on the amp and enjoy each others company. Nobody will ever know the true extent of the issues between them, but I hope when I'm at that age I will be able to make peace with whatever issues or demons I may have. I don't know what shocks me more, being at that age and not being able to make peace or being that age after a lifetime of spending time with people who are like family, making beautiful music, traveling the world, surviving all of the crap that has happened and STILL not be able to.

I'm not going to dig into Stevie because there is something very "off" about these recent remarks in this interview and now Mojo. I think it's something larger than the usual Lindsey/Stevie friction going on. I think there is an overall unhappiness coming from something/somewhere else she is struggling with, but I don't know what it is. Is it something related to the passing of her mother or possible disappointment with 24K...I don't know. Something is very off, she's dropping four letter words and is about as resentful and bitter as it gets. Maybe I'm reading into it too much, but there always seemed to be that anger that come from a loving place...but I'm not seeing that anywhere from Stevie. That's why I say, there is something else at the core of all of this anger.