Chicago Tribune Article: "Fleetwood Mac, Revisited"

[joe68]

Fleetwood Mac, revisited
Lindsey Buckingham sheds solo wings to become part of ban

Greg Kot, Tribune rock critic
Published June 20, 2003

Connoisseurs of eccentric studio mavericks think Lindsey Buckingham is slumming by playing in Fleetwood Mac. His oddball touches--layered, androgynous vocal choirs and finger-picked bluegrass-style guitars--dominated his lost 1992 solo gem, "Out of the Cradle." They're also sprinkled throughout "Say You Will" (Warner), which reunites four-fifths of Fleetwood Mac's multimillion-selling '70s lineup: Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie (but not Christine McVie, who has retired). A national tour brings Mac to the Allstate Arena Thursday and Friday. In an interview, Buckingham chatted about why he had to abandon his solo album to make the reunion work:

Q. You told me in 1997 you had a solo record 90 percent done and that you did not envision your reunion tour with Fleetwood Mac at the time as a long-term deal. What changed your mind?




A. I was very anxious to get back to the solo work, but by the time I did, the climate was getting scary over at Warner Brothers, because AOL had bought Time-Warner, and the people who I had good relationships with were already gone. The people who were left didn't like my solo album, so I thought I'm not gonna put this out here now. They were more interested in me putting out an album with Fleetwood Mac. It was a tradeoff for me, because it broadens out the audience but it also broadens out the purity of the intent of the solo work. But the vibe was good, and Stevie's songs were good, so I thought, why not?

Q. What arethe main differences from past incarnations of the band?

A. The obvious thing in terms of the three songwriters was that Christine was absent. I had quite an assertive guitar style on the album Stevie and I did before joining Fleetwood Mac in the '70s, but as soon as we joined the band, there was a big exercise in adapting, because John as a bass player is very melodic and fills up space, and Christine can fill up space with the keyboards, and there was not a lot of room for me to maneuver as a guitar player. It was an exercise in adapting down, down to even changing the type of guitar I wanted to play, because it didn't fit the sound of the band. Without Christine, everyone has 33 percent more room to maneuver. Another thing is that you have a different dynamic with just Stevie and myself doing the writing. You have a clearer kind of picture, this exchange of songs between the two of us, which becomes the subtext of the album, the sense of how circular this little journey has been, and now here we are at the beginning of a phase that if hopefully we keep making each other happy, there is this sense of promise. We'd like to break the cliche of rock 'n' rollers burning out by the time they're 40.

Q. The tensions within the band in the '70s produced a lot of great songs about relationships and break-ups. Now that everyone's getting along, how has that affected your creativity?

A. The tension that was going on was a musical soap opera, and became part of the appeal of us as a group. It was a kind of voyeurism that had nothing to do with the music. I'm not sure that kind of negativity and denial we had to go through was necessarily any better for the music. It certainly was better for the image, and the overall story. But we've all become better musicians and gained a certain amount of confidence that we didn't have back then, both as players and as people. For me, specifically, we're melding the more personal, eccentric "Tusk" approach with the group-minded "Rumours" approach, which feels unprecedented. There is tension, but it's a different kind. The mantra now is to build trust and to appreciate how we mesh together, even though we're all very different as people.

Q. Among the first words on the album are you singing, "You can't plant no seed/Where there's only greed." Tickets for Fleetwood Mac's tour exceed $100. Care to comment on that apparent contradiction?

A. [Laughs] I certainly don't have any say in ticket prices. I certainly haven't chosen to have any say in it.

Q. Why not?

A. Honestly, if you'd asked me six months ago what's the average price of a concert ticket, I wouldn't have been able to tell you whether it's 40 bucks or 100 bucks, because that's just not a part of my awareness. It is unfortunate how expensive it has become. The idea of that song ["What's the World Coming To"] is about the corporate trickle down that makes it more difficult to be an individual. I understand what you're saying about the equation between ticket prices and the use of the word "greed," and, yes, what we're doing is part of the corporate machinery, but I would question whether there is really a contradiction there. We are part of a large-scale band that cannot pretend it is anything other than that.

[strandinthewind]

Originally posted by joe68
Q. Among the first words on the album are you singing, "You can't plant no seed/Where there's only greed." Tickets for Fleetwood Mac's tour exceed $100. Care to comment on that apparent contradiction?

A. [Laughs] I certainly don't have any say in ticket prices. I certainly haven't chosen to have any say in it.

Q. Why not?

A. Honestly, if you'd asked me six months ago what's the average price of a concert ticket, I wouldn't have been able to tell you whether it's 40 bucks or 100 bucks, because that's just not a part of my awareness. It is unfortunate how expensive it has become. The idea of that song ["What's the World Coming To"] is about the corporate trickle down that makes it more difficult to be an individual. I understand what you're saying about the equation between ticket prices and the use of the word "greed," and, yes, what we're doing is part of the corporate machinery, but I would question whether there is really a contradiction there. We are part of a large-scale band that cannot pretend it is anything other than that.

PUHLEESE Do I see LB spinning it a little? Just say it - we want to make a bunch of cash and that is the way it is. Note: I have no problem with that concept and hope one day to make a pile-o-cash myself!!!!

[Miranda]

Originally posted by strandinthewind
PUHLEESE Do I see LB spinning it a little? Just say it - we want to make a bunch of cash and that is the way it is. Note: I have no problem with that concept and hope one day to make a pile-o-cash myself!!!!

I see the same thing. Spinin wheel got to go round! $$$

[CarneVaca]

Hmmm... If nothing else, this shows how the people in this band are pretty spoiled. Not to know that tickets are hovering around $100 smacks of indifference to the experience of the common man and woman.

No wonder his more recent songs have more of a philosophical bent about the state of the world. If he wanted to pull a Springsteen and get right in the thick of it, he might actually have to find out that people are paying ungodly amounts of money to see him play and that a lot of these people may have lost jobs or taken pay cuts in the past year or so.

No, Lindsey, that kind of answer will not do. Saying "I don't know" is a cop-out.

[SmthngOfADreamr]

Originally posted by CarneVaca
Hmmm... If nothing else, this shows how the people in this band are pretty spoiled. Not to know that tickets are hovering around $100 smacks of indifference to the experience of the common man and woman.

No wonder his more recent songs have more of a philosophical bent about the state of the world. If he wanted to pull a Springsteen and get right in the thick of it, he might actually have to find out that people are paying ungodly amounts of money to see him play and that a lot of these people may have lost jobs or taken pay cuts in the past year or so.

No, Lindsey, that kind of answer will not do. Saying "I don't know" is a cop-out.

Excellent points. I really hate to bring the fan club up (since it seems to creep into all of our other conversations as well) but I can't help myself. Before I couldn't imagine them being so naive as to not know what was going on, and I was angry about what seemed to be an utter indifference on their parts... but considering that Lindsey doesn't even know the damn ticket prices (and you know Stevie has no clue either, and John couldn't care less), I don't see how we can assume that they know anything about the JT fiasco.

Either way you look at it, it's complete apathy from them. It's very disheartening.

[shackin'up]

Okay, I agree with the criticism here, but let's be fair. Lindsey (and the rest) has always been a bit of a cocky, arrogant artist. And very Arty, too. (stevie too, although she's very kind and accessible for those who worship her.... ).
So this quote about 40 or 100 bucks, I will never exept that from anybody, but it doesn't surprise me out of his mouth. These people are not on the face of this earth. they are above it a couple of inches. Let them stay there. But don't expect any sense when it comes to the things you need a normal human perspective for.....

Don't get me wrong I adore them, as much as you, as a band....

gerald

[strandinthewind]

Well, I will say this - for the last AHI benefits, SN has said she personally made sure the upper levels were more afforable so the kids in school could afford to go. She purposely made it more accessible for them. She also said The Dance tour tickets were expensive because it cost a lot of $$$ to take FM on the road, which is sort of what LB said above. Again, I have no ill will with them, I say just call a spade a spade and get rid of the spin

[jeffs]

They charge $150 because that is what they want to charge to make their $200,000 a peace per show. They could charge $40 if they wanted to be less greedy. LB is pleading ignorant to something he is completely in the know about. I am sure they know about the fan club fiasco as well. No way they don't at this point - they just do not care.

[cliffdweller]

Originally posted by shackin'up
Okay, I agree with the criticism here, but let's be fair. Lindsey (and the rest) has always been a bit of a cocky, arrogant artist. And very Arty, too. (stevie too, although she's very kind and accessible for those who worship her.... ).
So this quote about 40 or 100 bucks, I will never exept that from anybody, but it doesn't surprise me out of his mouth. These people are not on the face of this earth. they are above it a couple of inches. Let them stay there. But don't expect any sense when it comes to the things you need a normal human perspective for.....

Don't get me wrong I adore them, as much as you, as a band....

gerald

Agreed, and also to add, I think everyone knows what they're getting into when they make the decision to see a Fleetwood Mac show. To paraphrase Lindsey, they're a big band who expect big returns. Sad but true.

[strandinthewind]

Originally posted by trackaghost
It pains me to say it, but Lindsey at one point agreed to the price he was being paid thus influencing the price of the ticket, so he is a hypocrite like the writer rightly pointed out.
Still love him though...


~Sharon~

I agree - but I think it is a little darker than that. For those of you familiar with the silent era of movies, there were three great directors, Cecil B. DeMille, D.W. Griffith, and Eric Von Stroheim. DeMille and Griffith are widely known to this day.

However, like LB's guitar playing and overall production of music, Eric Von Stroheim's direction could be as close to flawless as you will ever get. The problem was Eric Von Stroheim would go four times over budget and take years longer than originally planned to complete a picture. He also insisted on everything being authentic even though it would not read on camera (e.g. underwear for a period gown, real money in a cash register that was not even an intergral part of the scene, etc.). He also was known to do over 100 takes of the same scene when even the most trained eyes could discern no difference in the takes. Finally, he had a perverse sense of humor and insisted on directing the actors in this way. The end result was usually a brilliant body of work that bordered on perfection but it would never play in a theater because it was: (1) four hours long instead of one and one-half; (2) cost four times as much to shoot as originally planned; and (3) the subject matter was often too far into left feild and was censorable due to its perversity.

Sound like anyone we know

[Sugar]

No doubt it costs way more for Fleetwood Mac to put on a show these days, and much of that is Fleetwood Mac's choice. For Pete's sake, they've got an entire second band backing them up! And they all need to get paid too, as well as paying for those projection screens and what is probably a huge road crew.

Of course those ticket prices are also supporting Mick's silly drum vest, a very lovely spread of food and drink backstage, and all of Stevie's costumes, which you know are stupid expensive. I resigned myself long ago to the fact that these guys are terribly pampered and out of touch with the real world. And I frankly doubt any of them are all that concerned with the fan base, other than it being a means to perpetuate themselves. Oh, I know some of you have met Stevie, and say how great she was and that she REALLY cares about her fans, but I still don't buy it. I'll never forget reading that interview she did with Courtney Love (was it in Spin?) how she mostly spoke about only wanting the finer things and knowing she was too good for JC Penny's. I was so disappointed and it forever changed my opinion of her. The fact that she actually said those things in an interview is only further evidence of how out of touch she is. The rest of them, I figure, are much the same to one extent or another.

But then, what the hell, those tickets are selling, and maybe I wouldn't be any better if I were in those shoes (custom made platforms, please)...

[Tusk57]

Okay so Lindsey wasn't exactly forthcoming in his answer. He did crack a smile when the reporter hit him with that question. However in my humble opinion, you guys are sounding like a bunch of Socialists. If he can get that much for a ticket, then more power to him. If you don't like it, nobody is forcing you to pay it. I know if I had the talent he does, I would sure like to get paid whatever the market will pay. I don't begrudge him or Fleetwood Mac. They paid their dues. They have a lot of overhead to deal with. Anway, it's none of our business when you get down to it. They are a great band and don't come around that often, so I don't mind shelling out the big bucks to see them in action.

[strandinthewind]

Originally posted by Tusk57
Okay so Lindsey wasn't exactly forthcoming in his answer. He did crack a smile when the reporter hit him with that question. However in my humble opinion, you guys are sounding like a bunch of Socialists. If he can get that much for a ticket, then more power to him. If you don't like it, nobody is forcing you to pay it. I know if I had the talent he does, I would sure like to get paid whatever the market will pay. I don't begrudge him or Fleetwood Mac. They paid their dues. They have a lot of overhead to deal with. Anway, it's none of our business when you get down to it. They are a great band and don't come around that often, so I don't mind shelling out the big bucks to see them in action.

I see your point. But, that was not the point I was making. My point was that I found LB's answer that he did not know how much tickets costs silly and that it is obvious he has some idea based on the spin-o-rama he spewed

Again, I am all for making a pile-o-cash off of the willing and freely paying public. Its not like we need Fleetwood Mac the same as we need inexpensive water or free air - but then again . . . .

And - not only did he get my $125 plus the $48,987,988.99 Ticketmaster service charge, I bought him and the rest of them a drink in Atlanta. See - he's getting more money out me by the second!

[Johnny Stew]

Originally posted by Sugar
I'll never forget reading that interview she did with Courtney Love (was it in Spin?) how she mostly spoke about only wanting the finer things and knowing she was too good for JC Penny's. I was so disappointed and it forever changed my opinion of her. The fact that she actually said those things in an interview is only further evidence of how out of touch she is.

I remember that interview... I didn't see anything necessarily "out of touch" about Stevie's comments there.

The entire vibe of the interview was "girl talk," with Courtney and Stevie dishing about men, and glamour, and all the trappings of rock and roll life.
So Stevie very honestly said that she likes the finer things in life, and that she's very grateful that she's able to afford those things.

And I think a lot of people have felt like that at various times in their lives... buying clothes in a "bargain store," while wishing they could afford something fancier.

Me? I feel that if I can't find it at a bargain store, then I don't need it. Growing up in a town where the main source of income was a steel-mill that closed when I was 11, I saw a lot of people (including my parents) out of work, and scrimping and saving to buy necessities... so I always have pangs of guilt when I spend money on something "frivolous."
But hey, I certainly don't begrudge someone else the luxury of spending their money on what they wish.

And in Stevie's case, she gives a lot of money to charities, performs benefit concerts, and has given over the royalties to some of her songs for friends with financial problems... so despite her love for "the finer things," she is generous with her money.

[darklinensuit]

I agree with Johnny, not to mention that Stevie has made clear she'd rather rummage for clothes in an attic chest that get them off the fashion runway. And if she'd prefer to have Blackdress custom made to buying it off the rack at Penney's, more power to her. She's earned the money. I don't think that by saying this is what she likes that she's disrespecting the people who are happy at the bargain bins.

- Jake