An Anniversary

[rbs3676]

24 years ago today, I saw Fleetwood Mac for the very first time.

It was the August 17th San Antonio stop on the TUSK tour – the final leg. I was 15 years old and was seated on the aisle, 17th row, in between Stevie and Lindsey. It might has well have been the Academy Awards, I was so excited!

They opened with “Say You Love Me” and Stevie’s hair was in a bun, tambourine out, swirling in thin layers of black chiffon and I, in complete rapture, could not take my eyes off of her.

I remember “Sara” being very dreamy and I got all veklempt and caught up in the moment of “All I ever wanted…”.

“Landslide” was sung in such a hushed whisper that the entire arena was so quiet, trying to hear every nuance in her fragile, almost broken vocal – very much like the FM Live version from that same tour.

I remember that John came and sat down on Mick’s riser when LB played “Never Going Back Again” and it was just the two of them and it seemed so perfect. I remember Stevie saying something about how John had gotten sick on stage the previous night, so a big round of applause for Mr McVie ensued.

My favorite Christine moment was “Over & Over”…it was so simple and pretty – just like Christine, really.

When they came back for the encores, “Sisters Of The Moon” was incredible…the big bright lights shined on the audience when she began to wail at the end…I felt like I was in church – it was such an experience.

So, here’s to the Mac…my favorite band…and to the many memories I have of that very first show…

RBS
8/17/04