Stevie in Billboard Q & A
 

Stevie Nicks On 'In Your Dreams' Film, Christine McVie's Fleetwood Mac Return?
Articles / News

By Keith Caulfield, L.A. | December 07, 2013 2:15 PM EST

http://www.billboard.com/articles/ne...ood-mac-return


"The year of making ('In Your Dreams') was the best year of my life," says rock legend Stevie Nicks in her documentary of the same name.

The film, which was released to home video on Dec. 3, captures the writing and recording of Nicks' most recent studio album. Released in 2011, the set was co-produced by Dave Stewart (of Eurythmics fame), and was her first solo studio effort since 2001's "Trouble In Shangri-La."

Billboard sat down with Nicks at her home in Los Angeles -- the same house where much of "In Your Dreams" was recorded -- to talk about the new DVD and more. Highlights of that extended chat are in the video below.


"It was just the year that I was the most happy," says Nicks of recording "Dreams." "Every day I woke up and went 'I can't wait to get up, jump in the bathtub, put on a little make-up and run downstairs and greet Dave at the door.'"

Stewart's attitude towards recording helped push Nicks towards releasing an album -- something she had been reluctant to do for a long while. "Dave would just go, 'It's just one more great adventure, darling. And if it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. Who cares?'"

"Before I started this record, I wasn't gonna make another record. Because I was really so bummed out by people trying to explain to me why the music business wasn't the same (as it used to be)."

Used to be: As in, when album sales were still robust and artists didn't have to worry about their music being freely shared on the Internet.

Stewart convinced Nicks to take a different view on the business. "'It doesn't matter Stevie!'" she says he said to her. "'We're in our 60s. If this whole record goes to hell, it doesn't matter! We're OK! We're financially stable. We'll be just fine. So we can do anything we want. We can try anything we want.'"

The spark that set the entire album in motion was Nicks' viewing of "The Twilight Saga: New Moon." She was so moved by the film, she was inspired to write the song "Moonlight" (which appears on "In Your Dreams").

"I said, 'you know what, now I'm gonna have to do a record,' because I can't just put this little song out without a record to back it up. So even if it doesn't sell any records, I'm ready to make a record now."

And with that, she set out to make "In Your Dreams" into a reality.

Fast-forward a few years later to 2013, and Nicks was back on the road with her old band, Fleetwood Mac, for an international tour. Fans were no doubt jazzed by a very special guest that joined the group for two shows in September: former band mate Christine McVie.

The singer/songwriter left the group in 1998, and hadn't performed with the band since. "I think she's probably been asked 5 million times to come back to the band," Nicks says. "By all of us. By every one one of us. And she has said, in no uncertain terms, 'No. No. Absolutely not. No way.'"

So then it may have come as a surprise to many, when McVie told the Guardian in November that she would be "delighted" if the band were to "ask" her to play with them again. "But it hasn't happened, so we'll have to wait and see."

But Nicks says, "If Chris wants to come back to the band, I said to her, 'It's your band. I don't really think you have to ask. Because it's your band. McVie. Fleetwood Mac-vie? So, it all depends, Chris, on you. How you feel. Do you want to take this on again?'"

"This" meaning the "two-hour and 45 minute show" each night, which Nicks describes as a "job of champions" that "is not easy, 'cause we are not young. And we are out there rocking for almost three solid hours."

With that said, Nicks says "I don't know what she'll do. Story to come. To be continued."

Well this is interesting...Do we know when Stevie was interviewed??? When Stevie says "I don't know what she'll do" it sounds like her return might not even be in the works at all and if it is it could be a long ways off...

The interview happened this week at Stevie's In Your Dreams house. To me, it sounded like Stevie gave somewhat of a cold shoulder response to the Guardian quote that Christine wanted to rejoin the band if asked. Then she went on to explain that the band spent many years trying to reestablishing itself without her which was "heartbreaking." So it sounds like Stevie wants Christine to say something like, "I know I kept saying no. But I was having a hard time. I thought I wanted to be something else. But I finally realized that what I really want is to play music again with the people I love. I want to come back."

This back and forth seems silly. They're all too old to be playing these kind of games.

But then there's the "It's her (Christine's ) band and she doesn't have to ask if she can return" quote...And so continues the soap opera...

Christine has basically said it was her fault, that she thought she wanted something else and doesn't know why it took so long to realize she didn't.

I think they have something in the works, it just sounds like it is still just coming together.

Michele

It's a simple yes or no answer....She (Christine) will be working with the band again in some capacity or she's won't...

which she will not answer , the band will announce it as soon as all the details and contracts are signed and importantly how the money will be split ... if she is going to do it it.

Either they (the 5) want the band back together or they don't...If they don't have a record deal and they don't have a tour booked I don't see where there is a contractual hurdle they have to clear...All they have to say is "The Mac Is Back" and worry about the legal details when and if they record or tour again...

I can't help but laugh at the fact that a few years ago Stevie was saying she missed Chris dearly and never wanted to record with FM again without her and she'd pay 20 million dollars to get her back and now that Chris says she's interested Stevie is like, "Uhh are you sure? Do you REALLY want to do this?! Because it sucks! And we spent a long time trying to be a band without you!" I'd expect Stevie and Mick to be acting like giddy little school girls and talking about all the big plans they have for Chris.

This quote made me laugh out loud.

I was having the same exact thoughts while reading Stevie's latest comments on this.

LOL, "it sucks." That's not the way to nurse John back to health and work either.

Michele

But what is clear is that they have told Chris that a return means the road. Earlier this year Mick said that maybe Chris might record a song with Stevie or something. It's now obvious from Stevie's comments that no one is talking about Chris coming back just to record a song or two or twelve. Whatever they have been discussing with Christine includes touring and it seems like that has been made clear to Christine. So, I think that whatever their plans are for Christine are a little clearer to us fans now.

Michele

Christine misses her band mates and it was fun hanging out with the band but there's a big difference between that and an 80 city tour...It also sounds like they might not want to deal with CM having a special FM schedule...Besides it really wouldn't be fair to the fans that she was available for certain shows and not others...

Also, I think they're letting Christine know that it is not going to be like The Dance, not a couple of months. Even though their initial contracts might only be for 30 dates, I think they're letting Christine know it's a long term commitment beyond any initial "reunion" dates.

Michele

Lindsey is influencing her, without a doubt. A few months ago, she told Mojo that Lindsey felt that Christine "can't just come and go" (even though he left FM for 10 years and came back!) and that it wasn't so important to her. But in her latest interview, she's pitched his argument as her own.

So I agree, it is really bizarre that she's radically changed her tune about Christine.

i think a lot is being read in to something Stevie said ..

she has also said she was taking the summer off to write the gold fish and lady bug movie /Rhiannon .. but she went on tour ... her Vegas show was going to be Amazing ,she built a stage in the middle of the stage and stood there , she did add some billowy curtains and a Screen behind her , she has said she was doing a duet album with Tom ... she say a lot ...but I am sure on this she can't say much so she has to deflect the question until the band settles on the agreements and Money It's a BUSINESS not a band

And who know if Christine was just saying something out of Fear / Grief over John 's situation ,she is 70 years old why would she want to put herself through a Fleetwood Mac tour ?

I didn't get the sense from the interview that Stevie has changed her mind about Christine ro that Lindsey is influencing her. I just think she's making it clear that the only barrier to Christine coming back is Christine. Mac is a touring band. A BIG touring band. I'm not sure Christine wants long tours. She mentioned in the radio interview she did a few weeks back that any attempt to record again (either on her own or with the band) would involve SOME touring. Mac rarely does just some touring. They're touring machines...

I just want Christine back in the music world in some way. I would prefer a solo album AND a mac engagement (I'm greedy) but I'd be thrilled with either.

She certainly wouldn't be the only rock musician over 70 still in the business:

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/pi...er-70-20131022

BB King is old enough to be Christine's father, and continues to live out of a suitcase.

Yes, I don't think Stevie has changed her mind exactly. In fact, her comments now are very similar to what they were more than 10 years ago. After The Dance she first said that although Christine had retired, she hoped that they could all change her mind in a couple of years, because she didn't want to do it without Christine. THEN, when she was doing TISL she was saying how much she missed Christine. Then, when it was time to go back to work with FM without Christine, she said they gave Christine years and had done everything to change her mind, but couldn't, but now the boys were a "power trio" and ZZ top without Christine and had worked around her absence and she was glad to be a duo with Lindsey again. And Mick was saying that Christine had asked to record without touring and he didn't think that was feasible.

I think maybe they are back to where they were before SYW and Christine wants to be with them and they are just saying that it has to include touring and there are no non-touring or short-touring options available.


Michele

seriously if this happens they can do a few dates here and in Europe and GB , and all make plenty of cash because it's going to be a very expensive ticket if all 5 are performing (based on a 1250 dollar for just stevie and lindsey )

But all 5 of them can't just tour in Europe and GB because Christine is afraid to double does want to do extended touring, because that would tick off their fans in other countries.

It's the only time she changes the tune, Daniel, so let's let her have it. ;)

I'm trying to remember those members who quit and rejoined—Stevie, Lindsey, Billy, is that it? So Chris would be the fourth? (Not that Our Songbird needs the precedent...)

Christine probably thinks it's a shame that the whole band doesn't cut back its Big League touring.

How can she say with a straight face that they have spent the last 12 years trying to make the band relevant without Christine? They came out with ONE full album and an EP in 12 years! It depresses me that Stevie can't see how silly that sounds.

And heaven knows, they weren't relevant for the "Unleashed" tour (giving the other two the benefit of the doubt). That's why we thought the title was so stupid.

Unleashed? More like bound and gagged.

Michele

They should work it out so they don't hit the United States again until 2015. They can do Europe in 2014. So, that will give time for the 2013 tour to wear off of people and maybe let them replenish their pocketbooks.

Michele

^^^I think you may of forgotten about a little country called Australia, we missed out seeing them this year.. I would hope that their next tour begins in OZ then do NZ and rest of the world after that.. :thumbsup:

I know! Ridiculous, right? They'd be totally better off WITH Christine any way they could get her.

Still, Stevie herself has done more work than any of the others to keep herself relevant with a new and existing fan base. I'm not saying all of the rest of them SHOULD be doing the things Stevie is doing, but facts are facts: since "The Dance" she has given us two new studio albums (not including the boxed set and the greatest hits, participated in FM's single studio album, an EP, several tours with and without the band, tv appearances, etc...

Yes, Lindsey's had his rewarding solo projects, but they seem so insular in comparison to Nicks', which continually beg for mass consumption.

Yes I agree Australia and NZ surely should come first.

That's what I've been thinking whilst reading all this. I'd rather be hearing that they are finding a way of making it work with Chris. Why stick with the same old thing, when you can embrace CHANGE, and create something new and exciting that fans will love. They must know that a future Fleetwood Mac is better with Christine, than without her. :shrug: I can understand Stevie's concern, but maybe they need to be a bit more trusting of Chris's instincts to return.

I think what Stevie means by this is that they finally, in 2014, with the success of the current tour, have become revelant again...but it's taken them all this time to reach this point. Just a guess, though. I do see your point about their lack of output in the past 12 years.

The fact is that the "powers that be" want FM on the stage and not in the studio...Even if FM produces a record that is a hit it will not generate anywhere near the amount of profits that touring does...


It also sounds like Stevie is politely saying that if you want to come back then come back but we're not begging you or offering you whatever anymore...She's also saying that even though they would like her to return they don't need her in the band to sell tickets as the last 2 tours have proven...So if you want to come back come back but either way we will go on...

I think what Stevie is sayin is:

1. It's not up to us, it's up to Christine.
2. If she does want back in, she can't leave again.
3. It's a monster rock band with a lot of work.
4. I would never do a movie.

The rest is all speculation.

I think Stevie would love to have her back. I also believe they have all talked about it already.

I'm confused by all this....they desperately wanted Chris back for years, and for many reasons she couldn't. Now she feels she is up to returning... you'd think they would all be pleased about it. Maybe 16 years is just too annoyingly long. They can not now comprehend her coming back.

i think that as usual, we are all making a mountain out of a molehill, overanalyzing every word and expression, and slanting it the way each one of us likes. :lol:

i'm with people who said that SN is just stalling and making sure not to make any big announcements in these interviews, since their "management" people want to announce it with a bang. as they always do (so they can extract more money for themselves :rolleyes:). and as always in the last 10+ years, it will be more of a whimper than a bang. :p

I was Unleashed!!! but I didn't really run away when I was free to do so.. lol

Yes, I am sorry. When I said Europe, I was actually thinking of the shows that were canceled in New Zealand and Australia and fully intended to say that those should be made up in 2014.

Michele

Yes, I think it's clear that Stevie is saying that Christine can return any time she wants and doesn't have to ask anyone.

I also think they have talked. I mean, Christine would never have made the comment to the Guardian if she hadn't talked to Mick. She may not have talked to the others, but she talked to Mick and John and Mick has probably told her what Lindsey and Stevie have said in return. If Christine didn't know it was a go, she wouldn't have said that to The Guardian.

It's like her saying she would appear with them in London. She said she would do it if they asked her, but by that time, Mick had already said she was. She knew it was a "go" with the band. With Christine's personality, I just don't see her putting herself out there in the press and trying to manipulate events with public comments on her own. I mean, unlike the others, when has Chris ever used the media to gain leverage in the band? The most she has done is say that Dave Mason was a mistake and she only said that AFTER the fact.

I bet the band's management is already trying to sell them to promoters and Warner Bros. as a reunited band of five. But there's just nothing official yet.

Michele

And I think there is conflation based on reactions to several different news items. Based on what Christine said about wondering what the promoters in Amsterdam and Berlin would think, I think she was confirming that Lindsey didn't want her on stage that first night in London, because she would get all the press (that backfired on him, because she got all the press anyway). The first night is when all the reviews are usually written. If she got all the press in London, then the people in Amsterdam and Berlin (cities that Christine mentioned) might expect her to appear there as well, hence "she can't just come and go."

Comments about appearing in London that we heard about in September have nothing to do with the subsequent November events -- which shocked us all to read -- in which Christine said she wants to come back to the band, giving rise to speculation about her full time return.

Michele