Band Politics
 

Al Ortiz posted a Facebook pic of the marquee at the Beacon Theater that said "Stevie Nicks sold out." There were lots of comments, but one was from Lenny Castro saying how much he missed everyone. Someone else asked why he wasn't with them, and Lenny's response was "Ask Waddy. Not my doing." That's a little sad, and it reminded me of Jana feeling a little blindsided when she lost her spot.

to my knowledge, lenny was verbal in his disdain for dave stewart and his entourage. if stevie was aware that one of her band members was bashing on her newfound muse--one could see why she'd ask waddy to wield the axe for her.

Of course I have no way of knowing, but if Lenny was excluded for some personal reason or because of a purported beef he had with DS or anyone else, wouldn't they have simply replaced him, rather than tour without a percussionist at all?

That there is nobody at all on percussion leads me more to believe that Waddy probably felt a percussionist just wasn't necessary (which I find odd, since Stevie has never NOT had a percussionist).

It begs belief that a member of Fleetwood Mac who have bashed on each other literally and figuratively for decades would give someone the boot for just that.Especially since to anyone that wasn't born yesterday Dave can come across as an annoying dweeb..just ask Annie.

Employees don't enjoy the same privileges as the bosses.

If I were Lenny and Jana, even if I was understandably upset, I wouldn't say so on social sites, because let a year or a couple of tours past and the performer might want you back, but not if you've burned bridges.

Michele

Ok thanks for this news.I was wondering why Lenny was missing.To bad for him.

Exactly. But, I thought the artist paid a retainer to hold the players. Don't they know in advance when they are going out?

Lenny perhaps did. I haven't seen anything that indicates his "exclusion" was a surprise. All he said was "Ask Waddy" when asked why he wasn't included for this go-around. That could have many implications besides the surprised, blindsided Lenny we're suddenly painting him as here.

Well.
 

I like Lenny, but I didn't miss him last night. I actually liked how the band sounded. Also, maybe it's economics - one less player to have to pay. Stevie's audience is smaller - it's just a feeling but she did say last night that she and Darrell should tour alone - she was joking but mentioned it would be cheaper.. Who knows? Just her and a piano.

Yes, seriously. Maybe she took her cues from Lindsey's latest outting. What's cheaper than free and paying NO ONE!

Is Waddy on Facebook? If so, is anyone going to ask him? :woohoo:

No she didn't! :laugh::lol::laugh:

Exactly! It appears that Stevie had to pare down again this outing and do some more cost cutting. The obvious one to get the axe is Lenny. Yes, it sucks for Lenny, and us, since Stevie always had a percussionist on her solo excursions. But the concert business is brutal, and many an artist have to make sacrifices if they want to continue to pay the remaining musicians a significant wage. It's an unfortunate reality for many touring musicians these days.

So Darrell and Brett are playing keys?

Stevie had 2 keyboardist last outing. Brett has replaced Ricky this time out, I suppose an additional keyboardist is needed more than additional percussion to flesh out the arrangements in Stevie's current set list. :shrug: