[louielouie2000]

Originally Posted by BlueDenimLamp

I think bethelblues is saying that the direction LB wants the songs to go in versus the direction Stevie wants her songs to go in has not "gelled" in a long time and this may be close to the root of the problem. It may also be more than the LB production of her songs that she is unhappy with she may just not like the influence LB will have as a musician playing on her songs any more. Maybe she's tired of the LB sound and his domination of her songs. If Lindsey would just simplify things and rock out once in a while like he used to.( An excerpt from the 17 Reasons This 'Rhiannon' Clip Is the Coolest Thing in the Universe thread "And Lindsey playing the Les Paul sounds so much more rocking than his Turner") Is LB capable of just playing the part and making Stevie happy or does his ego get in the way? Why does LB always have to be in charge? They're Stevie's songs why can't she have them turn out the way she want's with out a WWIII protest from LB? As you have pointed out "Consider that drastic change of style between Then Play On & Kiln House, or Heroes Are Hard to Find & Fleetwood Mac" so change is nothing new to this band so why not let her shake things up a bit?
And sorry but if Stevie is standing up for her songs from a creative standpoint then she's not a diva.
If Stevie wants nothing to do with LB being involved with her songs and is refusing to work with him in the FM environment period then that is a major problem.
As a business man and co-owner of the Fleetwood Mac corporate empire I don't think there is any chance of Mick parting ways with Stevie and giving up a substantial portion of his future income just to get one last record out.
If the new album becomes a major wall between Stevie and LB and it were to get to the point of one of them saying "Either he/she goes or I go" which one will Mick choose?
Whatever happens it will be fun to watch.

Here's what I've been saying for a decade now- Christine was the vital bridge between Lindsey's esoteric sonic musings, and Stevie's wandering mystical ramblings. Christine's razor sharp pop sensibilities not only reign in Buckingham & Nicks' musical eccentricities into a more palatable form, but she also bridges the musical gap in between their respective offerings with her own songs. If Stevie is hesitant to record with FM this time around she needs to remember that it was Christine who made FM gel, and that she's back now. Chris not only served as a musical buffer between those two, but also a psychological one as well.

Originally Posted by nicepace

Thank you! I am so tired of the ageist nonsense on the board, all these young people on the board assuming that, because the musicians are in their 60s and 70s, they are doddering old people with little or no future potential. Have the Macsters been doddering on this tour? Not exactly!

I've been saying the same thing for years. There are so many veteran artists who are so much older than our Macsters, and are out on the road tearing it up. Pete Seger was still performing into his 90s. Though it sounds like his health may have finally gotten the better of him, BB King toured until about 90. Wanda Jackson is pushing 80 and still going strong. There are many more examples, but the point is there are many artists who don't let age slow them down.

However, I think if the band dissolves, it won't be due to age. At some point I suspect the tension between Lindsey and Stevie will get to the point where everyone involved throws in the towel. After all, who wants to spend their twilight years being angry or surrounded by hopelessly dysfunctional people? After all, John (for instance) could say screw this drama, after cancer and being surrounded by these two bickering drama queens for 40 years, I'm going to spend my golden years with my wife, daughter, and sailboat.

That brings me around to another point as well, though. I really don't see Stevie ever being the one to pull the plug for that exact reason. She has no significant other, no children, and her parents are gone. Whether she wants to admit it or not, FM & it's larger cast of characters is her family. It's all she has. As much as she loves to carry on about Lindsey in the press, she wouldn't know what to do with herself without the FM extended family. Not to mention she thrives off the drama and excitement.