Drama, drama! Do you remember back in 1990 when both Christine and Stevie announced that they would no longer be performing with Fleetwood Mac? They made a point of letting everybody know that this would be the last opportunity to see them in this context. And you see how long that lasted! Flash forward to 2003... I have heard nothing indicating that this was the farewell tour. And knowing Mick, and his love affair with the dolalr, he would be milking it to the hilt if this was truly the final tour.
As far as getting old on the road is concerned, Stevie is probably the most vulnerable. But the comparisons to others in her age bracket such as Cher and Tina Turner are not fair. They retired because their whole schtick was centered around dancing, choreography and slinky, revealing costumes. Yes, seeing Cher in a fishnet jumpsuit today is a bit frightening! But Stevie has been more about being standing elegantly behind the mic stand and singing the songs. It's her voice and her presence that carry the show, not a lot of gimmicks. Hence, I think she is the type of performer who could perform literally until she drops dead, ala Rosemary Clooney, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, etc. And Deborah Harry, who has a few years on Stevie, will probably keel over in her fishnet stockings and heels behind a mic stand.
Additionally, I don't see how grueling touring can be when you are catered to hand and foot by an army of personal assistants, eat in the finest restaurants, stay in the finest hotels, fly in a private jet, ride in limousines, etc. And if you look at their tour schedule, they are taking a nice, leisurely pace with this tour with typically 2-to-5-day breaks in between shows. My life should be so grueling!!
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