[SteveMacD]

Originally Posted by FuzzyPlum

Sheryl Crow.

Originally Posted by FuzzyPlum

Tori Amos (sure, they don't need another pianist but her kooky personality would add so much fun to the band)
Annie Lennox (a bit bland for my liking, but if Stevie wants to go off and work with Dave then maybe AL could join FM edit: and I bet she could belt out a half-decent Rhiannon)
Wendy James (no particular reason except I had a crush on her when I was 15)

None of those women have been in a band like Fleetwood Mac. Annie Lennox comes the closest, and would be an amazingly empathetic figure in that she understands what it's like working with an ex. The reason this is a problem that solo artists don't understand the challenges of being in a band. I think Fleetwood Mac has already seen this with the issues they had with Dave Mason. Even when he was in Traffic, Dave was never really a part of the band, so he never really learned the art of being in a band. There are challenges and compromises that solo/duo artists don't really have to deal with.

Originally Posted by michelej1

But the point would be just to find someone to sing Stevie's songs, wouldn't it?

That's a good question. I would hope that adding another woman to the band would be so they would continue for a few more years, both on stage and in the studio, which means they would need her to be a contributing member of the band. This is the only reason I could see to bring in new blood.

To me, it would be better to go with a no name than to replace her with a singer with her own catalog of hits that would have to be shoehorned in.

If that's the case, just bring back Bekka Bramlett. But, I think that bringing in somebody just to fill in for Stevie is the type of lounge act move Lindsey really detests. What they need is somebody who has some hits that could be shoehorned in (so that the distinction between the new girl and Stevie can be made), somebody who could cover a couple of Stevie's songs, and somebody who could contribute new material.

For me, it's the Sammy Hagar rule. David Lee Roth was the face and voice of Van Halen. They replaced him with Sammy Hagar, and that version of the band went on to sell 46 million albums. Sammy was a well known commodity when he joined, and people were willing to buy into it. They did some DLR songs, some Sammy solo songs, and new songs on those tours, and fans enjoyed it. By contrast, Gary Cherone had a #1 hit with Extreme, but it was "More Than Words" which was hardly a Van Halen-esq song. Not like "There's Only One Way To Rock" or "I Can't Drive 55."

I still maintain Susanna Hoffs is the perfect choice.

1. There would be no expectation for her to be Stevie #2. She was the face of a band that sold 23 million albums. She sang lead vocals on seven of eight of their Top 40 singles, co-wrote the band’s only # 1 single (Eternal Flame), and had a solo song in the Top 40. Hoffs could join Fleetwood Mac and just be herself.

2. She’s in a band that has multiple lead vocalists. The fact she was made to be the star of that band is ultimately what split the band up. Susanna was the one who fought the hardest to get the band back together. She learned the value of being in such a band, and now understands the challenges and compromises that being in such a band entails, as well as the value of being humble. She's NOT a diva, and that's exactly what Fleetwood Mac needs at this point.

3. Musically, she’d be a perfect fit. She’s in a band that uses lush harmonies throughout their music. Her voice is reminiscent of a younger Stevie Nicks, while Christine’s voice has a similar range and timbre to Debbie Peterson’s. She would be able to come into the band and instinctively fit in.

4. She’s a contemporary of Fleetwood Mac. The Bangles had their greatest success between 1986-1990, which is the same timeframe that Fleetwood Mac had the last of their mainstream success with new material. Susanna’s only nine years younger than Lindsey. She wouldn’t seem terribly out of place in Fleetwood Mac.

5. She still has sex appeal. She’s as gorgeous a woman as Lindsey is a man, but especially so considering their ages (56 and 65, respectively). There could be a chemistry there well worth exploring. Bringing somebody in who's of a different generation would be creepy, especially if there was a bit of a flirtation (that whole "chemistry" thing) on stage.