Stevie owes this band NOTHING
 

So, I can totally understand all of your frustrations about Stevie doing a tour and likely being the main reason that the new FM album is delayed until further notice. I'm annoyed too. BUT. I was thinking about what she has contributed to this band since 1975 and it's astonishing. Also, lots of people fail to recognise many of the following points. I've made loads about how she has contributed to this band.

Here goes...

- 1976 - Rhiannon is the single that propels FM to #1.
- 1977 - Dreams is the Mac's ONLY #1 single.
- 1981 - Stevie has enormous success with Bella Donna but keeps her
supporting tour short in order to join FM in the studio for Mirage.
- 1982 - The success of Bella Donna creates more interest in the new Mac
album and ultimately helps it to reach #1.
- 1987 - Even though Buckingham leaves, Stevie stays with the Mac and tours
for over a year.
- 1990 - After a successful solo album and supporting tour, Stevie agrees to join
the Mac for Behind the Mask. She is warned that it could sell less
than her own solo album and harm her image. It does sell less but she
still chooses to go on a huge supporting tour.
- 1991 - Even after Stevie's unwavering commitment to the band, Mick refuses
to let her have Silver Springs, which is HER SONG, for her
Timespace album.
- 1997 - Landslide is the song that captures the most attention from The
Dance and helps the album reach #1.
- 2002 - Even after a successful solo album and tour, Stevie goes back in to the
studio with the Mac even though her close friend and ally Christine is no
longer with them.
- 2003 - Stevie goes on a mammoth tour to help support the album which lasts
well over a year.
- 2009 - Another huge tour with the Mac without Christine.
- 2013 - Another huge tour with the Mac without Christine.
- 2014 - She is willing to put off promotion and touring in support of her new
solo album to tour with the Mac for over a year.

So, for the minute I can't think of anything else exactly but does that help to demonstrate how committed and vital she has been to Fleetwood Mac? If you don't think so then I think ignorance plays a large part in your judgement.

She's more than entitled to do what she wants. She owed the band nothing, even though I would LOVE a new album to come eventually when she and the rest of the band are all happy and ready.

New Years 1975- Mick Fleetwood asks Lindsey to join the band and Lindsey won't join unless he can bring Stevie

I'm sure there are contracts stating otherwise

Hate to nitpick but it was "Say You Love Me" that finally propelled "Fleetwood Mac " to number one .

I don't think she owes them anything other than clarity about her intentions. She's voluntarily in a band and there are certain obligations that come with that.

Stevie's words to Fleetwood Mac (2016)

You know I love you
so you probably won't get what I'm gong to do
I'm walking away from you
it probably won't make much sense to you
but I'm trying to save you
from all of the things I'll probably say or do

I'll probably do...

You'll probably call me a fool
and say I'm doing exactly what a coward would do
you know that I love you
it's a shame, what a lame way to live but what can I do?

I'm a Martyr for my love for you
a martyr of my love for you

I love it when you're nit picky! :xoxo:

If this band did not expand and contract... It would not be FM.

I think that being in a band is giving and taking.
Stevie is well known for biting the hand that feeds her.

At the very least, she does owe the band RESPECT.

And the number she has been playing with Lindsey and Chris over recording an album is anything but that.

I agree with those that believe Stevie owes this band NOTHING. I don't think Christine or Lindsey do either. And if John were to quit, I'd say he's paid his dues, too. It's long been known that Mick keeps this band together. And he's probably the one that has had to count on it the most. He has guilted all of them from time to time to get back on the road as he makes no money on royalties and he spends money lavashly. (well, they all do- this is a band known for it's excesses)

The other part of the discussion here is Stevie owes the band respect. I think she has made her intentions clear to Mick and he doesn't like it. So he (like they all do) panders to the press to get leverage, hoping it will push Stevie back "into line" with his band. I believe she has probably been totally clear with her intentions. But Mick wants the Rumours 5. He needs the Rumours 5 and he now has Christine back.

As Michele said multiple times, I think the rest of band is to be blamed for not moving forward. They should do what they want to do: Break out into solo or duet groups if they want, record and tour as Fleetwood Mac, (as someone mentions a la Tango) and do whatever they want. Or, if they choose, they can wait for Stevie. I suspect Mick will continue to try to guilt and pressure Stevie in the press. But I agree, none of them own anything to Fleetwood Mac at this point. If Mick wants a band, he could find a replacement for any of them. It's Fleetwood Mac's history.

I agree with this totally. I think Stevie HAS made her intentions clear to the band and Mick is refusing to accept it. Just because WE don't know that for a fact, WE speculate and spew hatred. WE form opinions based on hearsay and the fact that Mick whines about her every chance he gets. You don't see Christine and John doing interviews and complaining about Stevie's reluctance to record. Lindsey.......well we all know how that works. She shoots barbs at him, he shoots barbs at her, they kiss and make up today, tomorrow they hate each other. It's called good old fashioned LOVE/HATE. It adds drama to an already volatile relationship and they both love that drama. SO, yes, I do think that the other members of this band are clear on where Stevie stands. The rest of us don't really matter in the scheme of things. Love her or hate her, she's got a right to do what she wants and apparently she wants to go solo right now. Good for her!

How do you/we know that Stevie has not in fact told Mick "I will NEVER work with Lindsey on a new FM record ever again"...Personally I think she has in fact told Mick this and it looks like Mick has tried every trick in the book short of firing her to try and get her to change her mind...How many years since the last full FM record???Looks like Stevie is standing her ground and Mick is unwilling to give up his "cash cow" touring revenue in order to move FM forwards...

Keep in mind, it's a bit telling that she wants to be the boss right now.
She took a potshot at LB. She fired back at Mick a bit. But at the end of the day, I don't think a 3 month tour is going to affect a FM album in 2017. Mick is touring, as well. I think she may have picked the down time correctly. If she extends the tour into 2017 that's different. But I think this still may be on track.

I think Stevie has great respect for FM but a certain band member has little respect for Stevie as an artist and that's the problem...After all the years Stevie has been in this band I think she has earned the right to record a few songs within the frame work of FM the way she wants...If Mick were smart he would tell Lindsey "Look Stevie is going to record her songs the way she wants with the producer of her choice and I don't want you giving her a hard time over it just do what she wants"

If FM would have done this the record probably would have been out by now...Yes Stevie's song may have been different but at least the complainers would have their FM songs from CM/LB...

Who's complaining?

'We will undertake a new album. A whole album. We have plenty of songs'
Stevie Nicks, December 7th 2015

So they wait.
and wait.
and wait some more.

Do you really think they'd hang around waiting if she'd unequivocally told them she wouldn't do an album? She's being a big tease.

Yes!!!
As long as Stevie is able to hold the big touring revenue over their heads they (Mick) will continue to kiss her butt...

Oh please, he's been kissing that butt since 1978..

Except in 1991 . . .

she let out gas that year...

Yeah, the billboard article reveals this to be true. She's playing the "maybe/maybe not" card. The rest of them need to release the new music now!

Of course, Stevie has written/co-written as many top ten hits as Lindsey and less top ten hits than Christine, Mac or solo.

Stevie
Dreams
Sara
Leather and Lace
Stand Back
(Note: Stevie didn't write "Stop Dragging My Heart Around" or "Talk To Me")

Lindsey
Go Your Own Way
Tusk
Trouble
Big Love

Christine
Don't Stop
You Make Loving Fun
Hold Me
Got A Hold On Me
Little Lies

BlueDenimLamp, I think you've hit the nail on the head. In light of her recent RS interview, I think that Stevie Nicks is FINE with the idea of TOURING with Fleetwood Mac ONCE every 2-3 years----but THAT'S ALL. Stevie has probably told Mick in private that she has NO intention of recording a new album with Lindsey Buckingham at the production helm. She loves him one minute and hates him the next. It's easy to go out on the road when you really don't have to see ANYONE except for the 2 hours onstage each night. Technically, with personal assistants and handlers in tow, she could spend a year on the road with Lindsey and not really talk to him much. Being holed up in a recording studio with the "creative genius" is another story. The ONLY two people interested in making a new Fleetwood Mac record at this point are Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie. Mick, John, and Stevie couldn't care less about an "album". Moreover, NONE of these members stand to make a DIME off of a new Mac album. The CASH comes in TOURING. Mick just wants CASH from touring. Stevie would rather hang out with Dave Stewart, her handlers, and solo gal pals..............and John wants to be lounging at home or sailing a boat. CASE CLOSED

Mick & Stevie run the band...Lindsey may have the say in the studio but apart from that it's Mick and Stevie running the show...I suspect that Mick is more terrified of Stevie quitting than Lindsey...If LB quits Mick brings Rick back and problem solved...At this stage of the game a tour with Rick in the band would be almost as profitable as one with LB...

If they're only adding one guitarist, my vote goes to Dave Mason, because he's also in the HoF.

:laugh: you and Stevie both wish! that's why she's whining in the interviews advertising her solo tour how she doesn't want to be in FM team because there she's not the boss!

Lindsey Buckingham is NOT going to quit Fleetwood Mac at this stage in his life. He is no longer the carefree, fly by the seat of your pants, creative genius, bachelor that he used to be. Although Lindsey already has tons of cash, I'm sure he would like to continue financially setting his young children and much younger wife up for life. Fleetwood Mac provides the touring CASH COW that he needs to do just that. Songwriting royalties from 30 year old songs only go so far.

Didn't think of him...Plus he knows a lot of the songs...

My pick would be Jeff Beck...

Oh my god.. we agree on something.... can you imagine...

Jeff Beck is too good for them, however..

I believe FM actually wanted Jeff in the band (Before Bob Welch maybe) but none of them dared to ask him...

that might have been some powerful magic

NO NO NO! Christine hated it when Dave Mason was in the band before, and if she hates it now she might leave the band.

Hey ... wait a minute ... if she leaves the band she might put out a solo album. On second thought, bring on Dave!

It would be different if they get Waddy's input to the band as a additional guitar player .He knows all the tunes.Brett is already there.Of course you get Rick and Billy too.I do like Dave Masons tunes too.

Christine would have to suck it up...If SN & LB can survive FM then she can as well...

If LB would be willing to share the spotlight with his old friend then Waddy would be a great addition to FM...

Where is this from?

From the dark depths of the posters imagination...

Lindsey already suffered through Carlos.

Michele

Dark depths of my imagination?

Nathan it was a collaboration
between Jack White and myself.

Stevie is a martyr you know.

If Chris hates him, he shouldn't/won't be in the band.

Plus, he'd wanna do a couple solo songs(I'm guessing), and those don't belong in a FM set.