They didn't look happy
 

I don’t remember this interview though maybe it was shared here in the past. Christine looks so beautiful there. Lindsey handsome as always, except for that eraser of the pencil haircut.

My first reaction was that it was obvious they were NOT happy, though I’m not sure it was because that absurd question Is everybody happy? (the way Lindsey answered really made me laugh). Or they were tired of the interviews which are always required when an album is released. And compared to the mid to late 70s interviews I’ve seen, where they actually looked very happy (or too happy+high :rolleyes: ), here they looked too serious, to say the least. At times Lindsey's face seems to say, "What am I doing here? What the hell is she asking me?" Yes, maturity makes you more serious, but they looked happier in The Dance interviews than in this 1987 interview.

And after all we learned about everything surrounding or behind the Tango in the Night album, it is amazing or at least unexpected to read that LA Times said “It is the most unified feel of any Fleetwood Mac LP in the last 12 years”. Well I disagree. I love the Tango album but to me the albums with the most “unified feel” were the first two of this lineup, even in spite of the Rumours lyrics. But not surprised Christine agreed, she had to give positive answers cause this kind of interviews are to support the album, or she meant just about her work with Lindsey. But unified means the whole team and we know about the lack of Stevie’s participation in Tango. Besides, I also read Lindsey was at first “fairly reticent” (about the idea of recording again with the band), and later “under some strain with this project, and lost his patience occasionally” (yes, MF) during the sessions. Ok by that moment LA Times didn’t know the recording details but just listening to it, it was obvious Stevie wasn’t as involved as she had been in the past.

And when she asked What made this time the right time? Lindsey just looked down and let Christine answer. And he kept looking down. It would be interesting if this interview were analyzed by those experts in body language, facial expressions and linguistic from those Faking It Special HBO docs.

By the way, did I already said Christine looked beautiful?

That’s the ditzy Laura Gross behind the microphone, of ABC Radio for many years. I spent some time with her in the late 80s, when the band was playing California dates with Billy and Rick.

You can definitely sense the exhaustion and tension — not between Lindsey and Christine but a feeling of walking on eggshells, probably around the time that tour contracts were being signed. We know that Lindsey was feeling pulled into something he just wasn’t interested in, and he knows it and Chris knows it and he knows that Chris knows it. With the album done, Fleetwood Mac should have just told him to go spend a few years on his own instead of ramrodding him into a tour to which nobody had any emotional attachment. The fallout happened anyway, but because of the force that Mick and the organization were applying to Lindsey, all sorts of bad blood developed for a very long time. All it would have taken would have been a phone call from Mick to Lindsey: “I know you told us you weren’t interested in touring, so now that we have a fantastic album finished, go do what you need to do.”

Remember they are promoting the album so they don't always agree with what they are truly saying. It was an exciting time releasing an album after 5 years so gloating would be normal. During Behind The Mask early interviews Stevie called BTM her favorite Mac album. Christine also raved about it compared to Tango's electronic mess. I dont think Stevie today would say BTM is her favorite Mac album.
Also remember during this time Christine said the band knew he was leaving. They just wanted a tour with him. Christine said Little Lies is about Lindsey's imminent departure. Those were the little lies. He would never come out and say I AM LEAVING. But he dropped hints and they knew he was not happy. What he had to deal with during Tango its amazing he stayed to finish the album.

Really, Lindsey should have just done the tour. Suck it up, do the 8 weeks and only the eight weeks, and we probably never get Billy/Rick/Bekka/Dave. And, OOTC might have actually come out sooner.

Finally, someone I agree with. I respect his decision not to continue with Fleetwood Mac, and I understand that recording Tango wasn't the most pleasant experience. But initially, he did agree to go on the road for eight weeks, and then he changed his mind and left the band after all the plans had been made. That was a bad move, to say the least. Unlike Christine, who I understand announced her departure well in advance.

But regarding Billy and Rick, or the release date of OOTC, I do think many things would have changed or not happened, but it's hard to predict the butterfly effect in detail. Perhaps Behind the Mask wouldn't have existed, or perhaps it would have. Perhaps Time would have been the next album, released earlier, or perhaps it wouldn't have existed at all. Perhaps The Dance would have been the reunion after Fleetwood Mac's ten-year total (any lineup) hiatus. Who knows?

In 1987 I would have agreed with you. After what Lindsey went through in the studio at his house sort of made me change my mind. I am ok with the Rick and Billy era mainly because it kept Chris going writing and performing. Stevie was heavily tranquilized and almost faded into the background which again is not a bad thing.
There is lots of stuff we know but can you imagine the crazy stuff that we don't know that happened at his house? I think Lindsey has the best book in him but I know he wont do it.
Looking back maybe it was not a good idea to record the album at his house.

Thanks for posting this gem I've never seen it! :xoxo:

Old Lindsey is a selfish *****. While new Lindsey would cut off both of his nuts to be back with them. Ain't life just a kick in the sack?

Ain’t it just, but that’s what makes it so interesting…
What people need to realise it’s so bl**dy short.

Well it's been 36 years so people's interests, tastes, and priorities change, then their decisions can be very different. That changes with time. I don't think he regrets leaving the band in 1987 (but if he does, he'll never say so :laugh: ). But what bothered me was the way Lindsey left the band. Yes he didn't want to go on tour in the first place but did accept 10 weeks to Mo Ostin. And after rehearsals started and bookings were in progress, he told John Courage that he was no longer touring. I don't know if he was selfish, but he was definitely a jerk.

As far as I know, Christine gave plenty of notice that she wouldn't be touring Europe in 1998. And she would record Time but wouldn't be touring. It's not like she agreed and then stood them up.

That's because Christine was always a TEAM player. Lindsey was never that. And he always wanted to be a solo star in his own right. Stevie's mega success only made him more bitter(and understandably so, IMO).

No doubt a big tour has a lot of powerful managers, lawyers, record executives, and promotes, etc.. negotiating to get paid big bucks. No one knows what was going on behind the scenes that might have made the situation change. We have heard Lindsey say that Mick and Stevie drug intake was an issue. Have you ever thought that Lindsey may have been struggling with sobriety and didn't think it would be a healthy situation for him? If you ever been in that situation you know you can not be around other users. A tour and backstage scene can be one big party. We also don't know what else Lindsey may have been struggling with in his physical and mental health. No doubt there was plenty of pressure to make people a lot of money and if you're struggling, extra pressure is not healthy for healing. Lindsey probably didn't spend 3 years making an album, but he more than likely needed healing after leaving a toxic relationship. Something he and Stevie didn't get in 1977. I've stayed at crappy jobs a lot longer than I should have because it can be hard to leave something for the unknown. If I struggled with leaving a crappy job I can only imagine what it was like in a high pressure job with such high stakes as being in one of the most successful bands in the world at that time.

I saw the band on the TITN tour, and while I was disappointed Lindsey wasn't there, I still took it for what it was. I also saw Lindsey on the OOTC tour, and I got to say, his solo tour was much more satisfying if for no other reason than to see Lindsey happy and enjoying himself with a killer band.

I'm not sure where you got that Christine was more responsible for leaving the Dance tour. I was in line waiting to buy tickets for one of the shows when it was announced the show was cancelled. I don't think they would have announced a new leg of the tour and start to put tickets on sale if they knew well ahead of time that the rest of the tour was cancelled. Maybe she let everyone know (like maybe Lindsey did) that she wasn't able to tour and the powers to be thought they would pressure her into it? And if Lindsey was a "jerk" for leaving a tour why wasn't Christine? The situation seems close to the same.

Maybe, possibly, you and the others that try and judge the band members for their actions when you don't really know the situation are the real "jerks". It was just another tour of a band that had a very successful career. As the title of this post suggests, the band was not happy during this time, so hey let's go out and tour!

The band really broke after the Tusk tour when the members each got their own high powered management and legal council. We see now that Stevie was probably the best business person in the band by hiring the most powerful team to ensure her best interest are being met. And here we are. The Mac was different that almost all the other bands from that era. If fact, they lasted longer than some.

In previous posts I said I respected Lindsey's decision about leaving the band. Based on what I've read, I would say it was the right decision. Just the way he left the band is what I mean with being a jerk. Yes there are always powerful managers, lawyers, record executives, and promotes, but in 1987 Lindsey was a wealthy man and already had a lot of experience in music business, so I find it hard to believe that he felt too much pressured or trapped to accept the tour in the first place, and then take back.

Based on what I had read, there were conversations about continue The Dance tour in 1998, in Europe, but Christine didn't agree. Based on what I had read, she didn't have a good time on the '97 tour; the fear of flying, missing her family, etc. I never read they started to sell tickets for '98 dates. But if they did, then I change my mind, I would suspect that Christine wasn't sincere or didn't say from the beginning that she wouldn't accept. But I don't have enough info to conclude that, it would be good to have more details. By the way, I didn't say Christine was more responsible than Lindsey; I didn't use the word "responsible." I just compared the way they left the band, again, based on what I've read.

Cause everything we comment here is based on what we read or watched. Even including what members say on interviews, I agree none of us know what happen behind scenes, so we don't know the complete truth. Yes I said Lindsey was a jerk, but just about that specific episode. I don't say he IS a jerk. Since we don't know the whole truth, I always avoid demonizing or victimizing the members of Fleetwood Mac, as if that were an absolute definition of the person.

All the members.

Chris did not want to record Time. She was done. However Warner would not give them a record deal unless one of the three main singers was on the album. Mick asked and Chris agreed but she did lots of recording on her own and sent them things. She was one foot in and one foot out. In the end Warner never promoted the album anyway.
The Dance was the only time in her life she actually said NO to Mick and the band.

She seemed perfectly content about a new Fleetwood Mac album during the pre-inauguration presser, when the band was just her, Mick, John, and Billy. It’s when Dave Mason entered the picture is when she wanted out.

I still believe her songs are the Spring, 1993 demos, before either Bekka or Dave were in the picture. Billy being on “I Do” suggests that was maybe the first song they worked on before he quit.

She pulled out of the project sometime after Billy rejoined, taking her songs with her. But the label wouldn’t release the album without her songs.

The inauguration was in January 1993. No doubt she saw Mick's desire to keep the band going and was going to be a team player. She said multiple times that her house in England was about finished and she wanted to go back there. When the big LA earthquake happened in 1994 it really freaked her out. I think the combination of her house being finished, her desire to get back to England, the earthquake, were all pulling her away. Dave Mason may have been the straw that broke the camel's back with almost abandoning the project. I think The Dance was a compromise in her mind. The mega concert promoter were promising such big money that she knew Mick needed another boost. She only agreed to one US leg. IMHO it shows why she was so unhappy. She was spending so much time in her house in England. You would have thought a month European tour would have fit into her lifestyle and she would have a short trip home to her house. She just looked so unhappy during The Dance. Her marriage was falling apart, she was still upset about her dad's passing, and she did not want to tour anymore.

Her dad had passed 8 years before so that was quite a while earlier. But i think the need to just be near her family after so much distance over many years was very strong. But from what I heard, the crumbling marriage was the main reason she totally wanted out. She wanted to flee LA lol. Things were really a sh*tshow thanks to learning that he'd been sleeping w her close friend/assistant for most of their marriage, aside from shagging tons of others. So she was basically giving ed a last ditch effort by quitting the band ( like he was pressuring her to do) to see if they could iron things out. I wish she had just told him to F- off. You're right that a European tour should have fit quite well into her desire to not fly much and be near "home" but I guess she was exhausted mentally... and things had also gotten a little complicated w john on that tour so that also played into it. Although I didn't see her as looking unhappy all the time...at some shows she actually looked like she was enjoying herself, and they sounded terrific. But I guess she knew her heart wasn't in it.

--Lis

I remember an interview in 1994 right after the earthquake where she said it really wrecked her with fear. I am paraphrasing but I think that was when she could not wait to get back home. The death of her father was tough even though it had been years. Her mother died young so her dad was there and was majorly into music. I think she said something that her English roots were calling her home and she wanted no more of LA, California, touring, etc.
For her to tell Mick NO for the first time in her life over a month of European dates really shows how reluctant she may have been all along. Of course its fun to get back with your band and play gigs. But suddenly she's living out of a suitcase and flying around again and drinking. She said during the 1990 tour she would drink a bottle of wine every night so she could sleep. But then she woke up hung over and it was not fun especially with her dad passing in the middle of that tour.

Yes i think i read also that she hated that earthquake, and john said the same in the Destiny Rules documentary. and i totally get the insomnia thing, that is a nightmare for those of us who cannot just lay down in a strange bed and immediately knock out lol. And that didn't do her drinking issues any favors. i wonder how that played out once she returned to the band... she was trying to be better but I'm sure she needed *something* to help her sleep. I think the band paused the 1990 tour so she could be with her dad when he was near the end, didn't they? I thought they cancelled a few shows? I can't remember now. and she seemed to adore her father, i heard from a few of his former students that he used to talk about her and her career sometimes in class, he was so proud of her, and he'd tell them when he was flying over to see her in LA. He did live a good long life though...wasn't he about 90? That's a ripe old age.

Anyway, i know she really wanted to be done by the time she told Mick 'no' in 98, i just see it as interesting that she didn't publicly really tell the truth about probably the biggest reason why. Instead, she used the fear of flying, the earthquake, the insomnia, the Kent house, the loss of dad/wanting to be near family etc. Not that those weren't all valid reasons, but it still makes me wonder if she might have made difference choices had Ed not been in the picture pushing her.


--Lis

I'm a bit confused about dates. You mean 1990 european dates, don't you? Cause Mick wrote
“That summer’s series of Euro shows also saw both Chris and Stevie announce in midtour that they would be leaving the band. Both women were wealthy and famous, and neither felt like continuing the pressure and the pace that went along with life in Fleetwood Mac. The two ladies reached this decision together although both indicated they would continue to record with the band in the future".
Mick's 1992 coffee table book.
So the announcement was in 1990, then no surprise for Mick that Christine would record but not tour for the Time album.

No the Dance Euro dates that never happened

The band did more than pause. The tour came to a halt in July 1990 in the states and resumed in the States in late September. The Mac did a tour of Europe before coming back to the States. It resumed in Europe while the US dates were scheduled 4 months later. I do not know what date it resumed. I had tickets for the Pittsburgh show about a week before the cancellation which was July 17. The band made up all dates and toured September, October, November and December and finished in Oakland with Lindsey. I saw them in November and its one of my favorite Mac shows ever. The energy on stage was crazy. Chris running around with maracas on stage.
This tour messed with Stevie's solo career. It delayed Timespace substantially. There was an old interview with Stevie right before the tour resumed and Stevie was spitting bullets angry at Mick. She said something like "I told Mick I would tour but he keeps faxing me new dates and its never ending" Mick knew the money machine was gonna come to an end and wanted as many dates as possible.
On a personal note I loved the era that Stevie and Mick hated each other. During the tour it made the press that Stevie threatened to sue Mick. Then the next year the big Silver Springs showdown. It was a brief window but I loved every second of it :)

I found this yesterday, but since it was her birthday I decided not to post until today out of consideration for the date; I thought it would be in bad taste :rolleyes: . But it is really sad how she looked. I can’t say she didn’t look happy either, cause actually she doesn't express any kind of feeling. How different from her look during The Dance days and the late 90s, fortunately I must say, she got over that klonopin sphere. Mick seemed more sober; however, and I don't know if it's because my English is limited, they both said so many things that I got confused; at the end I don't even remember what they were asked before they answered, I understood less than half of what they said so their point wasn't clear to me. :confused:

Also sad that it doesn’t include the questions Rick answered. I wonder what was he thinking while S&M were talking :) . I don’t know either if this was circa the Tango tour or the BTM album, does anyone?

By the way, the painting on the wall is different, but the couch looks the same as the Lindsey and Chris interview in the first post of this thread.

I previously posted this elsewhere but, in any case, after FM Dave Mason in 1997 rehearsed to tour with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr band, but was fired four days before the start of the tour. The accounts of his bandmates about his personality and lack of professionalism are scathing.

Per https://www.victorbaissait.fr/RingoS.../Tour/1997.php:

Mason was to play "Feelin’ Alright?” "Only You Know And I Know” and "We Just Disagree." Reasons for the firing per three band members:

–1) Mark Rivera: “[He] never once came prepared and, anytime things were right, he'd puff his chest up like he did everything." "He was fired after Ringo asked the band if he should be fired."

–2) Peter Frampton: "Dave couldn’t seem to learn our songs. But at rehearsals, every time we made a mistake on one of his, he would give whoever the stink eye." (Also, per Frampton, Mason lied to Ringo about having a doctor’s appointment and blew off the last rehearsal.)

–3) Simon Kirke: "You can read between the lines. There were musical differences and he didn’t make the final lineup."

It turned out for the best. Without Mason it was Ringo's most stripped down band ever and, as such, less cluttered than his others.

Plus, strong as it may be, Mason's material was weaker than that of the other 1997 All-Starrs: Gary Booker, Jack Bruce, Peter Frampton, Simon Kirke. His departure strengthened the setlist and the show (see pro-shot video here): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KyoX9XLgaA

I dont think she looks unhappy or sad. She is just medicated and tranquilized. Her saddest interview ever is her 1991 MTV Asia interview where she is so tranquilized she is almost slurring her words. Even worse the interviewer asks her about drug addiction and she compares it to eating Sara Lee cakes where you cannot just have one bite while she is literally heavily tranquilized. Worse for her was the interviewer springing on her to do an MTV Asia promo. She looked horrified. You dont ask Stevie to do something without permission. Those interviews are still on youtube I believe.

On another note many band members especially Fleetwood Mac were exhausted with the same questions over and over. Since you are an expert on Mick's book don't you remember that during the Tusk tour Mick said every time he got off the plane a microphone was shoved in his face asking the same questions: Is Stevie leaving the band? Who is Sara? So I think they dont look sad or angry but tired and annoyed.

I think this was about 88, so I guess the Tango tour? I don't recall Rick saying all that much... sort of like in the other threesome interview with John, Chris and Billy, Billy didn't say much. which was ok with me lol. I wonder if that was Laura Gross's office? because the backgrounds/setting looks the same.

-Lis

It was:

Stevie, who is Sara?
Stevie, when are you leaving the band?
Stevie, when are you making a solo album?
Stevie, what about the "Rhiannon" movie?
Stevie, are you busy for dinner tonight?

I was not aware of this....what was the issue?

well.. you can probably guess lol. i sent you a PM, check it. :)

--Lis

you're killing me, smalls!

(Hilarious that this site won't allow all caps- auto reduces to lower case)

ok check yours, too ;)

Got it, but my message box is now full. Lol. I read it, and appreciate what you wrote, very much! Thank you! :angel:

I wanna know, too. I can't remember a John issue during that tour. I do remember he had alcohol problem and "got worried that he had lost his touch completely" according to, well you know who, before the Tango recording but I understood he got sober after "was stricken by an alcoholic seizure on St. Thomas that scared the life out of him and his wife, and John stopped drinking completely with the help of a therapist".

Busca en tus mensajes privados amigo :)

Was it because he was hitting on Christine during The Dance tour? I thought I saw that somewhere.

They had a little thing, yes.

--Lis

So they had a fling…is that it ?

Yep. Kind of a tricky time...And far too much alcohol.

IT WON'T? I'VE NOT HAD A PROBLEM WITH ALL CAPS....:shrug:

I don't have either.

Something strange is floating in the water :eek: . Caps auto reduce to lower case, Lindsey's Rhiannon "disappears" from time to time. Could it be kind of an omen that something is going to happen?