What if... Lindsey never left the band
 

Ok, I started the What if Stevie/Christine never joined FM threads, and some said those situation were unlikely. Well.. this one is ever more unlikely, in my opinion. Keep in mind this is just for fun: What if Lindsey had not decided to announce his retirement from Fleetwood Mac, that August 7, 1987. My ideas:

- The Tango tour would have been more succesful than it actually was.
- The "Tango in the Night" song would have been included in the setlist.
- We would have listened a live version of Big Love in its original 80s style.
- A "Behind the Mask" album (if there was) would have included some Out of the Craddle songs.
- But not much more Fleetwood Mac Albums during the 90s. Probably another one in the mid 90s equivalent to Time, or just a small tour taking advantage of the Clinton ceremony in early 90s. My point is that even though Lindsey didn't formally leave the band, Fleetwood Mac wasn't more active in the 90s than in the 80s (2 studio albums), probably because Stevie's health problems/addictions, but more specially because of the mood between members.
- 1997 was the appropiate year for a reunion anyway, when (as they actually said in an interview) there was no more baggage between them.

yes, yes, and hell yeah!

I also think: we would have heard a live Caroline and not Stand Back

I doubt the Tango tour would have been MORE successful. The first tour in five years, Stevie's solo success, and the curiousity of having two new guys made it a huge draw.

That's questionable. Probably Lindsey's fans didn't go to these shows because they were disappointed. What was bigger? the curiosity of seeing 2 new guys, or seeing my favorite lineup after 5 years?

Having been to 4 tango shows and talking to folks in the seats adjacent to me, I would guess that only 75% of the attendees knew that 1. there was a lineup change 2. That Lindsay Buckingham was the guitar player and not one of the women. That's leaves a lot attendees in the "I like Fleetwood Mac cos I know all the songs and Stevie Nicks is cool" category. Remember, tickets were affordable then, you could be a passing fan and attend a big rock concert without putting an entire paycheck on the line.

Interesting point.

I think a more poignant question would be:

What if Peter Green never left the band?

At that point in time, I don't think there was a large contingent of "only Lindsey" fans. His solo albums at that point were just "things to do while Fleetwood Mac wasn't active", rather than being a serious attempt at a solo career.

If Lindsey had never left the band, I think the whole thing would likely have imploded.

I was a little kid then, but from what I know of the band and the tour, I have to agree that it probably wouldn't have been MORE successful with Lindsey...it was very successful in it's own right. And I do remember the Mac getting a LOT of airplay at that time with the TITN singles on radio and MTV.

However, I like to think that if Lindsey was involved, the tour would have sported a much different setlist and included quite a bit of the Tango album. I think there would have either been no solo songs (1987 was the intro to FM playing Stand Back at every show) or there would have been solo songs from all three songwriters (probably, Stand Back, Go Insane, and Got a Hold On Me). Aside from Oh Well, there definitely wouldn't have been any other pre-1975 stuff....and I doubt they would have played Don't Let Me Down Again (which seemed odd to play a BN song without the B anyway).

Given the bandmates relationships at the time, I doubt the tour would have gone on into 1988 and more than likely there would have been no Behind the Mask album or much from Fleetwood Mac until the inauguration in '92.

:lol: Haha I agree! I like to think everything happens for a reason; and regardless of the turmoil it caused at the time, I think it was right and good for Lindsey to take a leave of absence. They needed space. Plus, OOTC is my favorite LB album ;) I don't want to think of a reality where that doesn't exist :xoxo:

That's very interesting. Maybe an excelent thread for the Pre-Rumours forum but since you already asked.... probably Fleetwood mac would have been more succesful but always within the british blues context. Not sure if they would have ventured like Eric Clapton in other genres.

Meanwhile, I think Lindsey and Stevie would have been succesful at some point, whenever they got an opportunity to be well known. If somebody from music business went to see them in Alabama (where they were pretty known, local radios played the BN album) or other place, maybe they would have been "discovered" like Jackon 5, Carpenters, etc.

Not sure what would have happen with Christine.

They weren't exactly British blues when he quit. I think Jeremy would still find religion, and Christine would probably replace him. She was the obvious choice for the band if anybody quit. Her being in the group was almost inevitable. I don't think Danny would have lasted much longer than he did, but I think the band could have easily soldiered on as a quartet and become as big as the Thin Lizzy's and Ten Years After's of the world.

They would have been the next Delaney & Bonnie or Richard & Linda Thompson.

In any event, I think all involved would have maintained a level of credibility, but none would have had the success.

If Lindsey would not of left the band, Fleetwood Mac would of turned into the Chris and Lindsey show. The quality of Stevie's songs were declining. Tango in the Night was really a battle between Lindsey and Christine in the songwriting department. Stevie really proved to be the weak link. I think Lindsey would of turned songs like Sky is the Limit and Behind the Mask into big hits and they would of had a couple of more huge albums but I can't see Stevie more relevant.

I can't see how Lindsey would've turned "Behind The Mask" into a hit, since he played on it anyway. I think "Tango" would've been better if Stevie would've just quit prior to it being recorded. It may have been a better record, and Lindsey might not have left.