Twin Cities keyboardist 'having a ball' touring with Fleetwood Mac
 

He hasn’t ridden on the private jet yet. But Twin cities keyboardist Ricky Peterson is on quite a ride playing with Fleetwood Mac.

His first gig with the band was for “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in September. Then came the iHeart Radio Festival. Now there’s the 50-city tour, arriving Monday in St. Paul.

“This is wonderful, man,” he said recently from his room at Chicago’s posh Ritz-Carlton hotel overlooking Lake Michigan. “The band has never sounded better. I’m having a ball.”

Peterson is just three weeks into the six-month tour where he plays behind Stevie Nicks, complements keyboardist Christine McVie and marvels at Mike Campbell’s guitar playing.

First, an explanation of how Peterson got the gig. He’s played keys for Nicks’ solo tours since 2007. He also happened to know drummer Mick Fleetwood from vacations in Hawaii, where the veteran British rocker lives and operates a blues bar. Peterson got the call when Fleetwood Mac’s longtime sideman keyboardist left the band and started touring with guitarist Lindsey Buckingham.


“I didn’t have to audition for this gig,” said Peterson proudly. “They invited me to come and hang. I love it. I sort of grew up on this music.”

He’d jammed before with Fleetwood at the drummer’s blues club in Maui. Plus, he had Nicks’ endorsement.

Peterson was essential enough that when Fleetwood and ex-Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers member Campbell auditioned singers in Hawaii, Peterson was involved. He won’t name names as to who tried out, but Neil Finn of Crowded House got the gig. That makes Finn and Campbell official members of Fleetwood Mac, while Peterson is a handsomely paid hired hand.

Two months of rehearsals

The keyboardist’s next assignment was to learn 38 songs before convening for rehearsal in Los Angeles on Aug. 1. The group practiced five days a week for about four or five hours daily until Sept. 28.

“I didn’t think it would take that long to get it all down, but it actually does, because there’s so much involved,” Peterson observed. “It’s a lot of music, and [learning] the beginnings and endings of songs.”

Who’s in charge? Buckingham used to be. He sued Fleetwood Mac two weeks ago over his dismissal. The band disputes his claims.

“Stevie is running the show,” Peterson said. “But they discuss it. No one is yelling at each other. It’s very, very diplomatic. And the principals are involved. Ultimately, I think Stevie and Mick are the final decisionmakers.”

Personnel drama from the start

There was a Fleetwood Mac long before Buckingham and Nicks came on the scene. The blues-rock band was founded in England in 1967. Personnel changes were a hallmark of the band until the lineup stabilized, and the music soared with the addition in 1975 of Buckingham and Nicks, who were a couple then.


The album “Fleetwood Mac” became a blockbuster, followed in ’77 by the even bigger “Rumours.” One of the bestselling albums of all time, it discussed the various romantic soap operas in the band. Hit albums, including 1979’s “Tusk” and 1982’s “Mirage,” and sold-out tours kept coming. So did bumps in the road.

Nicks and Buckingham launched solo careers and took brief leaves from the band at different times in the ’80s and ’90s. McVie, the third singer, retired in 1998 but returned to the fold four years ago.

With Fleetwood Mac planning to play only three shows a week on this tour, Buckingham wanted to be able to squeeze in solo concerts between Mac dates. The band not only said “no” but decided to proceed without him. The soap opera continues.

Peterson has no access to those feuds and lawyerly negotiations.

“I didn’t hear any heavy feedback from the principals, but nobody’s really talking about it,” he said. “Everybody’s happy and it sounds like it. Everybody’s having a good time onstage.”

Oldies plus a Petty hit

Peterson was there when the band whittled the set list down to 26 tunes for the tour. “That’s why it took two months,” he said.

There is a Tom Petty classic as well as hits Finn sang with Crowded House and Split Enz plus Fleetwood Mac oldies, including “Oh Well,” that predate Buckingham and Nicks.

Peterson gets solos during “Black Magic Woman,” one of the band’s oldies, and “Rhiannon,” one of Nicks’ biggest songs with Fleetwood Mac. And he does background vocals.


Keyboard parts are carefully worked out so Peterson doesn’t overshadow McVie.

“She’s the main keyboard player,” he said. “This is a sideman job. She’s very accommodating. She’s such a sweetheart. This is not a play-a-lot-of-notes gig. This is more of a listening-and-feel gig to figure out where everybody is going with the music. My job is to make them sound as good as they can.”

Peterson has no complaints about traveling by bus while the principals of Fleetwood Mac — and their assistants, spouses/significant others and dogs — journey by jet. Actually two jets. The keyboardist does get to roll in one of the many limousines used to transport the band to and from the hotel and arena.

Peterson, 60, knows the bus routine from his days playing with Bonnie Raitt, John Mayer and Nicks. He’s also toured for three decades with jazz saxophonist David Sanborn as well as recording with a host of stars, including Prince, George Benson, Mavis Staples, Steve Miller, Ben Sidran, Al Jarreau and Les McCann. Peterson has released four solo albums in the United States, with a new one issued in Germany this year.

But playing with Fleetwood Mac is “just a fun hang. There is no animosity. No attitudes. Everybody has their happy-camper vibe on. It’s just a great rock band.”

To avoid taxing Nicks’ voice, Fleetwood Mac never plays two nights in a row. Thus, Peterson gets plenty of free time. He’ll visit tourist sights and hit the gym. Then he mentioned the steak dinners he’s had with other sidemen in the band.

Peterson may not be a rock star, but he’s living in a rock star world, private jet notwithstanding.

http://m.startribune.com/twin-cities...mac/497968671/

$tevie Nick$ Fajita Roundup. $he's calling all the shots. Old hag.

But... but... She's "absolutely not the boss"?!

I'm so confused. :distress:

I'm not sure I believe that Chris is the main piano player and he just adds in. I think he's playing a good bit.

Interesting that Stevie is boss. I remember a time when she didn't want to be the boss. Times have changed. I can't understand John and Chris. I guess they are just happy to be touring and making money.

Mind boggling.

I saw a video of Black Magic from Chicago (maybe?). Chris was doing a little twiddly soloing with Mike Campbell. I heard no other keyboard soloing throughout the song except for the Hammond. Maybe this guy is referring to that?

I think he's told what to say and he says it. "The band has never sounded better." Oh please. Where have we heard that before? It's so silly. The band sounded better in August 1980 in its sleep than it has for the last twenty years.

I don't care anymore who's in the band and who's out. I just wish the members weren't quite so sales-pitchy. Leave that to the managers. It's their job.

Thanks for posting this, kak25. Ricky comes across like a real down to earth guy and it's obvious he's having a blast. It's always interesting hearing from people like Ricky, who do so much behind the scenes, so to speak, but are rarely heard from.

I still wonder who the other people were that auditioned as singers but didn't fit for one reason or another.

Who’s in charge? Buckingham used to be. He sued Fleetwood Mac two weeks ago over his dismissal. The band disputes his claims.

“Stevie is running the show,” Peterson said. “But they discuss it. No one is yelling at each other. It’s very, very diplomatic. And the principals are involved. Ultimately, I think Stevie and Mick are the final decisionmakers.”


Well, there you go. This guy has no axe to grind.

So Stevie got to handpick the players in her band. She picked Mike. She approved of Neil and of this guy. She approved Neale (she wrote to one of his tracks for her New Orleans song). She certainly brought in the girl singers. Seems like John and Chris are behaving so she doesn't order them to be replaced. :distress:

Two jets. Hmmm..... wonder why two now? Does the Queen have her own? She probably doesn't want to be on the same plane with the new guys' wives and families. She needs her privacy. I bet it's her and Karen and whatever other assistants she allows. Maybe Sharon and Marilyn?? Wonder where she orders Chris to fly. :eek:

"I'm not the boss in Fleetwood Mac" my a$$.

Wonder if this guy will be reprimanded for this.

Peterson was essential enough that when Fleetwood and ex-Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers member Campbell auditioned singers in Hawaii, Peterson was involved. He won’t name names as to who tried out, but Neil Finn of Crowded House got the gig. That makes Finn and Campbell official members of Fleetwood Mac, while Peterson is a handsomely paid hired hand.



So the two Michaels (Mick and Mike) auditioned the potential second new member??? Was Mike Stevie's designated stand-in so she didn't have to do the work??

You'd think Stevie and Chris would be the ones, as the other singers in the band, to pick the third singer, to see how they blend, etc. That's just freaking weird. :eek:

To avoid taxing Nicks’ voice, Fleetwood Mac never plays two nights in a row. Thus, Peterson gets plenty of free time. He’ll visit tourist sights and hit the gym. Then he mentioned the steak dinners he’s had with other sidemen in the band.

No more than 3 shows/week and no gigs back to back. And plenty of time for everyone to go sightseeing. But not enough for Lindsey to do a show or two. :mad:

What a b&tch.

Peterson gets solos during “Black Magic Woman,” one of the band’s oldies, and “Rhiannon,” one of Nicks’ biggest songs with Fleetwood Mac. And he does background vocals.
Keyboard parts are carefully worked out so Peterson doesn’t overshadow McVie.


So.......he's doing a solo on Rhiannon, not Chris? Rhiannon is not particularly challenging to play.....:shrug:

I'd like to know too.

It's ridiculous. I've never hated her more than now. Her ego is massive. $he's out of control.

It saddens me he has to travel by bus. He's part of the band FFS. They cant find a seat for the guy on two planes? Sh!t, they must have a lot of travelling family and close hangers on if a touring band member has to go in a bus. Is Neale Heywood in a bus too?
Ar$eholes/A$$holes

They're worried now about taxing the Goat Queen's bleating? :D That train departed almost 40 years ago. How can a one-note vocal "range" be taxed?

FuzzyPlum, there are A LOT of people who go on tour with the band. Have you seen the type of busses they use? Trust me, they're very very nice and comfortable. I'm quite certain Ricky is comfortable and fine traveling that way, especially considering he gets to actually see the country traveling by bus, an aspect he seems to enjoy. I know you're angry at them for firing Lindsey, but you really seem to be reaching here. :distress:

No, I really don't think I am. If you are touring as a band then you should travel as a band. Its an honest question- Neale has been associated with Fleetwood Mac for a long, long time and I'd always would have imagined he's close enough to merit travelling with the main members. I'd be really surprised if he doesn't. If Neale is travelling on the planes then it just seems really off for other musicians to travel separately. I'm sure the backing singers travel on a plane with Stevie. I get there'll be a lot of crew that have to go by bus, but come on, the guy is standing next to you every other night. Really rude if you ask me. Stuck up their own backsides.

And to justify it by saying 'he gets to see a lot of the country' ....ha ha ha ha. Your'e making me p!ss my pants. That's reaching!

You do know if Lindsey were still in FM, he would be on the jet while Ricky would be on the bus, right? So Lindsey would also, as you say, be stuck up his own backside. Also, the lighting and staging are transported via bus, not jet. Lastly, people are paying money to see FM, not Ricky, and he knows that, so if the band wants to travel by jet, that's their privilege. I'm sure if Ricky wanted to pay to fly on the jet they would let him. My guess is he'd rather not pay to fly by jet. I would also bet he's having a better time traveling by bus with his friends, rather than with Stevie or Mick or John. Wouldn't you? I know I would LOL!

If Lindsey were there Ricky wouldn't be there. They'd have Brett. Pretty sure Lindsey wouldn't allow the 'most important' band members to fly and have the 'skivvies' on the bus with the roadies.

One thing that strikes me reading the article. Rickey talks about how everyone is getting along so well and no arguments. Blah, Blah, Blah.

Was he instructed to say that? Why bring it up? Because big bad Lindsey was so awful to work with?

I smell propaganda. LOL.

I agree with you FuzzyPlum.

Wonder if Karen is on the bus? She has NOTHING to do with the band, yet you can bet she's on the plane, because $tevie says so.

Saying everybody is getting along is not a slur against Lindsey. Maybe Ricky said it because... it's true? I took his comment for what it was, that everybody, not just the members of FM but also the contract musicians, are all getting along. If you want to read that what Ricky was saying when he made that comment was that "if Lindsey had been on this tour, there would have been non-stop fighting and it would have just been awful," that's your right, but I don't think that's what he was saying at all. I think he was saying they're having a blast, including himself.

He makes out he's happy and all is good. I'm not sure he'd properly know though. He probably isn't even allowed to talk to the band.

Oh, you KNOW that loud mouthed ***** is on the plane, with her nose straight up Old Goat Breath's arse, telling her her gas smells like roses.

Did you sleep ok last night? I only got 5 hours sleep but before I went to bed and after I woke up my feelings are still the same. I adore Karen. I think she is the best person in Stevie's life. The Johnston's and the Nicks' were good friend's even before Stevie was famous so to me it's a natural progression of friendship. I love that her and Stevie have been inseparable since the mid to late 1980's. I hope it lasts forever.

All I really know is what I saw on DR. I thought she was rude, and if I were in the band, I'd tell her to STFU.

Bands don't all travel together. There's always a hierarchy in a band's organization-- actual band members are separate and above crew, and if you're a support musician you are essentially crew. This is not new in the music business. Let's say they aren't a big enough band to have private planes and they fly commercial (as FM did for a while)....you think if the band members are in first class the rest of the crew etc. aren't back in coach?? If the band members are staying at the Ritz, you don't think the crew are staying at a Hilton or some such?

You obviously haven't the foggiest clue about headline level touring bands. If you are not one of the principals (or part of their entourage), you get on the bus. This includes the backup singers. And these are not Greyhound buses. Rather, they are like mobile deluxe hotels with bunk beds, lounge areas, refrigerators, sinks, internet, satellite TV, etc., and many musicians actually prefer this mode of travel because it does not involve the stress of lugging stuff on/off airplanes. And, yeah, you can smoke weed and watch TV while hanging out with your mates. There is absolutely no reason to feel sorry for the people on the bus.

If the past is any indication, she is joined at Stevie's hip. Literally. Wherever Stevie goes, Karen goes. I spotted Steve Real by the side of the stage in a YouTube clip, so I suspect he travels by jet as well.

No way. I never knew this. I must be really stupid, you know. :shrug:

You really think the back up singers aren't travelling on a plane as part of Stevie's entourage? Come on.
In the past the extra musicians on the stage have toured as part of the band on the plane. I cant imagine Neale wouldn't be with them on this tour since he's been part of the entourage for previous tours along with Brett.

I certainly don't think you're stupid, but I am confused by your posts. You make a statement about how sad it is that Ricky has to travel by bus when the band travels by jet, which implies you think traveling by bus must be a horrible thing. Yet when it's pointed out how nice the tour buses are, you say we must think you're stupid. If you know how nice the tour buses are, then why do you feel sad that Ricky travels by one?

As for Stevie's entourage also being on the jet, I have an answer for that, I just hope you don't think I must be saying you're stupid when I give it- Stevie, Christine, Mick, John, Neil, and Mike either pay out of their pocket for travel or the cost is taken out of their profits from the tour. Either way, they are paying for the cost of traveling by jet. They are also paying the cost for their entourage. So if Stevie wants to bring along her assistant, her make up lady, her family, her butler, a mime, whomever, she has that right. Same thing with the rest of the band. I have absolutely no doubt that Stevie brings along the largest entourage of them all, but she's paying for that right. If Ricky wants to travel by jet, I'm certain he could if he chose to pay for it. Instead, he travels by bus.

I also don't understand why you think Ricky wouldn't be traveling by bus if Lindsey were on this tour. You really think Lindsey would pay for the contract musicians to travel by jet? Or that he would choose to travel by bus to show solidarity with them? I appreciate your enthusiasm for Lindsey, but that makes him out to be Norma Rae or something, fighting for workers who are being mistreated. Traveling by tour bus is not being mistreated. And to be clear, maybe you're right- maybe Lindsey would pay for Ricky and the others to travel by jet. That would be nice if they wanted to and he did that for them. But does that mean that FM is wrong or cruel for not doing that? That was the point I was trying to make, that's all.

I don't feel sorry for him travelling on a luxury bus. I feel sorry for him to be excluded from the band. The travel arrangements of the essential tour contributors will be paid for by Fleetwood Mac collectively as a band. Not by individual musicians. When Neale, Brett, Taku etc have traveled on the plane with the band for previous tours- you think that was paid for by Lindsey???

I have no idea who's traveled by jet before with FM, so I don't have an answer or guess about that. But I do see more clearly your point about why you felt sorry for Ricky, that it wasn't that being on a bus was a hardship. I have to say, from the interview, he does seem to having a great time. Doing something he loves, hopefully making some good money, and having time between tour dates to actually go sight seeing (if that's something he's into), good for him.

I think overall I'm just a bit surprised that he isn't considered one of the higher priority employees. I mean, in terms of the entourage, this band probably has relatively little in the way of family travelling with them. Christine most probably has no family with her and John most likely just has Julie with him. I cant imagine Mick has any of his girls travelling with him so its probably just his girlfriend (Chelsea???? are they still together????).
If they have two planes then I'd just imagine all players on the stage would be afforded the luxury of flying. Now I might be wrong. It might be that due to the lower anticipated income from this tour they are cutting costs. Perhaps all the back up players really are travelling by bus for this tour. I really would be genuinely surprised though.

Players only love you when they're plane
 

Stevie and Mike probably split one whole plane between themselves.

The comment where he said the band has never sounded better ...
i actually read in MICK'S voice.
seriously.
when have they ever spoken to random band members for an interview?
smells like a plant.

Yes. Let me be more specific: Fleetwood Mac's/Stevie Nicks's backup singers travel on a bus along with the rest of the back line. Fact.

Oh my goodness. That's an unequivocal assertion. It must be true :rolleyes:

It's unequivocal because, uh, I've actually been on the bus? :rolleyes: