What are the odds?
 

What are the odds of the "67-'70 version of Mac ever playing music together again - even a short set just one time maybe? I found one Greeny interview (from a couple of years ago) where he spoke of how he has dinner with Mick occasionally. He didn't seem to think McVie would be all that exicted about playing. I would think that if Peter were really into it it would be the main push that might get it done. Wouldn't it be cool to see just what would come through Mr. Green's fingers if he were onstage with his old bandmates, and had that Les Paul around his neck?....I'm sure you've all thought about, and discussed this, but I'm new here and just wanted to see what some of you seasoned Greeny fans thought about the odds of such a reunion really happening.

Funny you mention that...
 

ORIGINAL FLEETWOOD MAC LINEUP LOOKING TO RECORD AGAIN
WMGK.com

If everything works out, the original Fleetwood Mac lineup from 1967 will hit the studio again this year. That's the word from drummer Mick Fleetwood, who wants guitarists Peter Green and Jeremy Spencer to join up with him and bassist John McVie, who are the only ones who've been in every version of the band. While walking the red carpet at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony on Monday (March 14th) in New York City, Fleetwood exclusively told us about the plans to reform the band: "I am actually talking to Peter about doing, making some music, and in truth, we're finding out whether anyone's interested in, in -- whether they want us to make some music, 'cause there's no point in making music if you can't get a record label to do it. I am actually trying quite hard to put those musicians in a studio."


The current Fleetwood Mac lineup -- Fleetwood, McVie, singer-guitarist Lindsey Buckingham, and frontwoman Stevie Nicks -- are enjoying some time apart after the virtually two years they spent together making and touring behind 2003's Say You Will.

The original Fleetwood Mac lineup only made one album, which was called Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac in 1968. They were joined by singer-keyboardist Christine Perfect and guitarist Danny Kirwan for 1968's Mr. Wonderful and 1969's English Rose, although Perfect -- who changed her name to Christine McVie after marrying John McVie -- didn't become a full-time member until 1971 due to contractual issues. Green left after 1969's Then Play On, and Spencer quit during a U.S. tour in 1971. Both men were heavy drug users, and they suffered emotional and mental damage.

Green has been releasing albums steadily since 1997. Fleetwood told LAUNCH that Spencer is doing well, and that they played together about a year ago.

Thanks to nickslive!!

WOW!! :shocked:

Thank you SO much for posting this, wondergirl9847 :)
If it DOES happen, it will be fantastic!!! I have to admit that I have been hoping... and now that Peter does not play with Splinter Group anymore... well, I guess Mick Fleetwood just won't let this chance get away.

My only hope if it happens, is that it is done in a proper way so that Peter and Jeremy will not have too much pressure.

Daniel

Welcome
 

Wow! I didn't expect such a great response when I posed the question. Thanks for the news wondergirl. The timing seems good too to do this now. As dansven said, Greeny is not involved witht the Splinter group. And Mac is in a down period I guess. I know one thing - if this reunion has any chance to happen than Mick will get it done. There's no doubt in my mind about that after reading his book. What a wonderful thing for them (especially Peter) to sort of come full circle. I didn't see Danny Kirwan mentioned as part of the story. What about him.

Danny...
 

I would agree that Mick will probably push it strongly if there's enough interest. I'm sure John would do it and Jeremy most likely also... Pete's probably the one who has to be handled w/ the most care.

Don't think Danny would be well enough to do it. But if he did, wow, can you imagine..that would be unreal.

-Lis

And Peter probably would want a strong second guitar player onboard anyway. I would think he'd be against being the only guitar.

Here's a thought. Since Danny can't do it, why not bring Rick Vito into the fold, at least if they tour? It would take some of the pressure off of Peter. And, like Danny, Rick was heavily influenced by Peter, so there would be the parallel. Hell, like Peter, Rick was a guitarist for Mayall and Fleetwood Mac!

Ooh
 

What about Snowy White as a second guitarist?? :blob1:

Thanks for the info Wondergirl!
IMHO it seems unlikely that any large-scale re-union would happen.
Maybe a DVD or a cd? It's unlikely that Green would like to play the "greatest hits" with the band. He's obviously not been interested in playing those songs,
I would think he did it in Splinter Group because he had to.
And let's NOT get another guitar player, at least not a lead one. If anybody has to play Black magic woman, let Peter do it his way, which may not be
with as many notes as in the late 60's, but still very beautifully and unmistakably "greeny". I'm so sick of hearing Nigel Watson et al playing copies of Peter's old solos.
But with Mick Fleetwood and John McVie it seems unlikely that they would
play any new exciting music? Oh well

I agree with you, Dino!

I am very tired of hearing Nigel playing the solo of "Black Magic Woman" and all the other Fleetwood Mac classics. After hearing Peter playing solo on the Rudy Rotta CD and on the live recording from Royal Albert Hall, I just can't understand why he didn't do it with the Splinter Group. It is very different from the original FM recording, but still very beautiful and inventive.

However, I think Peter himself would be the first to suggest another guitarist... :shrug: And if that happens, I hope they get a PROPER guitarist! ... ON RYTHM!! :)

Daniel

But, it seems to me that Peter's problem is that he can't handle the pressure of being THE lead guitarist. Back in the '60s he could, but even then he wasn't too keen on it. As for Snowy White, with all of the guitarists the Mac has had over the years, why bring in somebody new? Rick Vito would still get my vote.

Yes, it's just that I don't know much about Rick Vito. :)
And Snowy has played with Peter on In The Skies, the solo singles after FM and on Time Traders. And I know Peter thinks he's a very good player. :D

But I'm sure Vito would do a great job!!

But I still think such a reunion is too good to be true...

If anyone has heard Jeremy's playing recently, he's playing better than ever. PLUS, he even admitted in his Q&A here a few years back that he just was lazy and didn't apply himself while in Fleetwood Mac. NOW?! I think just the original quartet would be great.

No need for the "third guitarist". But, if they were going to be adamant about a third guitarist (and take this from me being as much of the Rick Vito fan that I am), I think if any Fleetwood Mac guitarist were to "fill Danny's shoes", the logical choice would be...oh, God, I can't believe I'm going to say this...Lindsey. There's no coincidence that a majority of the "old songs" that Lindsey chose to cover right after he joined were Danny's tunes:

Station Man
Tell Me All The Things You Do
Sunny Side Of Heaven

etc.

I can definitely hear Lindsey pulling off "Jigsaw Puzzle Blues" as well.

But, again, I really hope that they just keep it to the original quartet, though.

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

(Passing out...breathing laboured...Can't believe he said that...Rick's biggest fan thinks Lindsey -LINDSEY- should fill in for Danny...Nothing makes sense anymore...Lights turning black...)

The only problem with Lindsey is that he doesn't like the blues, so I doubt that would fly with him. And I just don't see him finding anything artistic about that reunion. But, my biggest fear is that by the time they actually finished the project if Lindsey were in charge, Peter and Jeremy would both go insane (no pun intended) again!

I was just recently checking out Jeremy's website and listening to some live cuts from him. He really does seem to have his chops together as you say. I think that what would make greeny feel comfortable, and bring out the best in him is if he had a strong second "lead" guitarist to take off the pressure. How about someone like Mick Taylor? Then you'd have a little Mayall connection too. Maybe Albert Lee?

Well, Jeremy never stopped playing. He's just kept an extremely low profile. As for a second lead guitarist, I still say Rick Vito. Heck, the guy even covers Peter Green on his own albums. His renditions of "I Loved Another Woman" and "Stop Messin' Round" were the high points for my first Mac concert back in 1990. It was dead-on! Mick Taylor and Albert Lee were contemporaries. Vito was a student, much like Kirwan, hence the appeal for me. As much as I don't like the "Tango" video, I'd still buy just for "I Loved Another Woman." It's probably the only good reason to own the video.

Enough with this Rick Vito... Sure, he's a fine guitar player, but if you go to hear Peter Green,
wouldn't people want to hear him play, not Rick Vito? Imagine if they had Eddie Van Halen
in the newly reformed Cream playing Eric's solos? Ok, Eric is in better shape than Peter, but anyway...

It's apples and oranges between Clapton and Green. I can't believe you don't see that Peter has a history of freaking out whenever there's a lot of pressure on him. If there was a reunion of the original Mac, there would be much more pressure on Peter. He'd be the guy in charge. That's why the Splinter Group worked. Sure, he was the star of the band, but Nigel took a lot of pressure off of Peter in terms of guitar playing and in terms of the overall direction of the band. Peter didn't make the decisions in that band. He was much more sheltered in the Splinter Group than he would be in Fleetwood Mac. So, another lead guitarist would probably be in order, given Peter's history. And, I think the other guitarist should be dependable, and Rick has a proven track record.

Well, I went to see the PGSG 5 times to hear Peter Green and heard much more of Nigel Watson. Even if I'd gone to see Fleetwood Mac in 1969/70, I would've gone to hear Peter Green play and STILL heard more of Danny Kirwan than I would have Peter.


My "thing" about Rick being involved is that Peter is already there...Rick & Peter's sound & feel are so close it would be like having two of the same guitarist playing. Back in the day, Kirwan had his own different sound (as did Nigel in the PGSG).

OK, somebody call Bob Welch...get his ass to the sessions. Welch, Green & Spencer, now THERE's your 3-guitar lineup!

Ooh, I like that idea! Three talented guitarists with completely different styles. I wonder if Welch would do it considering his less-than-great relationship with the band in the past, but it would be a nice move that would help with recognizing his contributions in the early 70's.

Anyway, I still won't believe any reunion is happening until I see it with my own eyes (or hear it with my own ears? :)). Seems to me that there are a lot of obstacles in the way.

I can see that. I guess, for me, it would be nice to have an actual student of Peter's on stage with the band. But, yeah, I guess Rick could be seen as being too much like Greeny himself. As a fan of the blues era Mac and of Rick Vito, I always thought it would be cool to hear Rick with the early Mac. And, I think he's the only guitarist the Mac had post-Green that could really do that era justice if the original Mac got back together, while still being low-key enough to let the real stars of the show shine.

Hmmm. That would be interesting. Many shades of Fleetwood Mac to be sure. My one concern is that the focus of the blues version of Fleetwood Mac would be overshadowed by Welch's jazz tendancies. But, it could be extremely rewarding.

Well, Welch has patched things up with the band, so I don't think that's an issue at this point. As for the actual possibility of a reunion, hey, I didn't believe the "Rumours" band would ever get back together, but it happened. Anything is possible with Fleetwood Mac.

To be honest, I think there's a better chance of the original Mac reuniting than Bob and Gary working out a new CBA anytime soon.

Yeah, you might be right about that :distress:

Of course, I would LOVE to see Rick & Peter play together. But, after hearing Dickey Betts & Dan Toler together in one of the Allman Bros incarnations, it was like two Dickey Betts' on stage. I think the same thing would happen with Rick & Peter, though. I was glad when the ABB got Warren Haynes on board to spar with Dickey, it was like having Duane Allman back in the band again. There was a distinct difference between the two guitarists. That's why I think either Lindsey or Bob Welch would be better choices...or even add Bob Weston to the list.

But, I think we should wait to hear how Peter & Jeremy handle the situation themselves before we REALLY go off the deep end with the "third guitarist" scenarios.

Yeah...you're right that Peter probably feels uncomfortable as the sole lead guitar player. Of course I can see that. It's just that it has to be someone who doesn't "step on his toes". Nigel Watson may have been supportive as a person, but as the years went he kind of almost totally took over on guitar. If you listen to early Splinter gigs Peter is actually playing more solos, "Supernatural" etc; than he did later on. So how is that being supportive?

:confused:


...well, certainly not on the bootlegs I have from that era!!

this is an exciting prospect for sure. i'll play the devil in this thread.

i don't think this is a very good idea. recall that fleetwood has been trying to get this to happen since peter came back in mid 90's. if you re-read the penguin q&a with peter from 99 you'll find another reference to an attempt to reunite the original fm.

you'd hope, that of all people, fleetwood has peter's best interests in mind- but i doubt it. there's a good possibility that it is about money as much as anything. were it about just getting together to play the blues why would they need a record contract? announcing it at the r&r hall of fame is not a good sign. between mick and nigel watson, i'm not sure who i'd choose.

if peter wants to do it and is allowed to do it on his own terms, then i hope it happens. i'll buy the record if they make one. but, i don't think peter will do it. and think it is unwise.

ok, let me have it!

best to all, zero

Actually, I never said "supportive," and for good reason. I think Nigel Watson and Mich Reynolds were exploiting Peter. The more unhappy Peter became with the direction of the Splinter Group, the more Nigel took over. I totally agree that it basically became the Nigel Watson Show Featuring Peter Green, which is why I'm glad Peter's out of that band.

However, I don't see that being the case with Rick Vito. One, Rick is just not that kind of guy. Would a money hungry guitarist just walk out of a band as popular as Fleetwood Mac? The other thing is Rick is a studio musician (partially why he didn't do so well in Fleetwood Mac), and is much more a supporting player. Where as Nigel saw Peter as a meal ticket, Rick would see working with Peter as an opportunity to support one of his favorite guitarists.

As for the Mick vs. Nigel, yes, Mick has been hinting at a possible reunion of the original Mac for years. And, yes, the guy loves his money. However, he maintained a relationship with Peter for all the years after Peter quit the Mac. Never once did Mick pressure Peter into rejoining the Mac when he easily could have. I honestly don't think Mick would try to force Peter into anything if he didn't honestly feel Peter was ready. I think he's learned his lesson from what happened in 1979.

After reading some of your discussions on "Who should fill in for Danny Kirwan? should the blues line-up get together again" here's my view:
The first time I heard Snowy White on the radio with Bird of paradise, I could have sworn it was Danny Kirwan (same touch on the guitar, almost the same voice). Later I found out it wasn't, alas. I got to admiring Snowy very well, however.
As for the discussion on Rick Vito, many of you claim he has Peters style. I don't know him and his playing very much, but it seemed we were looking for a replacement for Danny, not for Peter???

Wouter

I don't like to use the word "replacement." What I'm saying is that I think there needs to be a thrid guitarist because Peter Green has a tendancy to go off his rocker whenever there's too much pressure on him. And, let's be honest, there would be more pressure on Peter with Fleetwood Mac than the Splinter Group. I suggested Rick Vito, not because he sounds like Green, but because he was a member of Fleetwood Mac who brought a lot of old Green songs back into Fleetwood Mac's set. Rick would be more than willing to work on this project. He would be able keep the integrity of the reunion, because he would understand and appreciate its importance to Fleetwood Mac fans.

Whoa there, Steve-o. Studio work is only a PART of Rick's career...to label him as a "studio musician" is wrong. Sure, he's done tons of session work, but he's also a gifted songwriter and a very entertaining live performer, as well. His solo career has been pretty successful to this point, too, and seems to be growing with each album. He seems to be doing fewer sessions and more of his own stuff (recording, touring, etc).

The reason he didn't do so well in Fleetwood Mac is that he wasn't allowed to. (listen to his songs that DIDN'T make it on Behind The Mask; MUCH better than the ones that did)

Today I happened to watch Martin Celmins' interview with Jeremy Spencer (on the DVD from the Madison Blues release). One of the last questions in the interview (which I believe took place in '02) was about a possible reunion of the original Fleetwood Mac. Spencer seemed wary of a reunion, noting that there would be a lot of pressure to do more than just perform a reunion concert. He mentioned that once things got started, "hawks" would likely descend on them to get more out of the reunited band. He didn't rule out the possibility of a reunion, but he seemed uncomfortable with the idea.

Spencer also mentioned that he had actually spoken with Green about the reunion idea shortly before the interview, and that Green wanted to know more about who would be making money from the whole venture - I'm sure he was rightly uneasy about more people trying to make a buck off of his name.

I'm still very doubtful that a reunion will happen, and I'm not sure that it would be in Green's & Spencer's best interests to do it. Thinking more about the idea today, I don't know that Green & Spencer would really have anything to gain by it.

I still think that if Mick Fleetwood is involved it has a chance to be done right. After reading his book it seems clear to me that that Mick truly loves the legacy of Fleetwood Mac, and all the people that were part of it. And he fully give Greeny credit for getting it all started. Peter really left Mick in the lurch back when Mick was about to get Greeny signed to a record contract. Mick probably could have really flown off the handle and written Peter off. But I think he understood the situation and went with it. That seems like a true friend to me. Obviously, by what Sharksfans post says, Peter is still wary of the "sharks" in the biz. So it would have to be done just right. Then maybe if all the buisness crap gets set aside, they can get together simply becaue they are all still on this Earth and can enjoy playing together one more time. That would seem to be a good enough reason.

Oh, I know. I wasn't using that as an insult. The beauty of guys like Rick is that they play for the situation. But here's how I see what went wrong with the whole "Behind The Mask" thing. The musical direction of Fleetwood Mac traditionally has been set by the guitarist. Mick, John, Chris, and Stevie really only had a vague notion of what they wanted from Billy and Rick. Billy and Rick were too into being team players that they didn't appear to be as comfortable making suggestions for fear of stepping on the "legends" toes. Neither were especially assertive. They weren't of the mind set that they had to carve their own path. I'm sure there were a lot of great songs from Billy and Rick that never officially saw the light of day. Lindsey, by contrast, made a point to have only the "Rumours" band's material be in the set (save for "Oh Well") by the middle of the "Rumours" tour. And, that's the difference.

I'd love to see this reunion happen, but thats stating the obvious! Part of me hopes that Danny could be up to the job, but being logical I doubt it very much. Shame, a very gifted guy gone to waste :shrug:

But with or without Danny, I'd still travel to see them if possible (I live in Ireland, and I'd imagine they would be playing in the UK). That would be the gig of a lifetime, one of those things you just cant afford to miss! :)