Stevie, a UK One-Hit Wonder? (Blog Post)

[TheSorcerer]

"In Your Dreams" scored its second highest chart position in the UK and that still hasn't convinced her to tour the album here. Her association with Fleetwood Mac alone would probably guarantee a few successful dates. She doesn't even need to try and sell out the O2 Arena, MEN Arena or the NEC in Birmingham, she could do a few nights at Shepherd's Bush Empire or the Symphony Hall instead. The Symphony Hall has hosted some great talent from Cyndi Lauper, Heart and Crosby, Stills & Nash, even Jewel sold the place out in 2002 and her chart success in the UK is even less than Stevie's. Maybe she's put off with the idea of perhaps having to downsize venues here in the UK and not play the big arenas that FM do. She could have played a few dates around the country while she was over here for the three weeks or so last year when promoting IYD.

I don't buy the excuse regarding whether a tour over here is cost effective or not. Countless smaller bands/aritsts from the US tour the UK and so can Stevie. If she swallowed her pride, pulled her finger out and booked smaller venues here then I can't see why it wouldn't be a success. Lindsey Buckingham was due to play dates here before he had to cancel due to his injury. It's all just excuses with Stevie sometimes. It's frustrating.

I know for a fact I'm not forking out for tickets to see FM on their next UK tour if it's just another rehash of the same old songs. It really is a bore being a FM/SN fan at times, sorry to say.

[poetinmyheart]

Originally Posted by TheSorcerer

"In Your Dreams" scored its second highest chart position in the UK and that still hasn't convinced her to tour the album here. Her association with Fleetwood Mac alone would probably guarantee a few successful dates. She doesn't even need to try and sell out the O2 Arena, MEN Arena or the NEC in Birmingham, she could do a few nights at Shepherd's Bush Empire or the Symphony Hall instead. The Symphony Hall has hosted some great talent from Cyndi Lauper, Heart and Crosby, Stills & Nash, even Jewel sold the place out in 2002 and her chart success in the UK is even less than Stevie's. Maybe she's put off with the idea of perhaps having to downsize venues here in the UK and not play the big arenas that FM do. She could have played a few dates around the country while she was over here for the three weeks or so last year when promoting IYD.

I don't buy the excuse regarding whether a tour over here is cost effective or not. Countless smaller bands/aritsts from the US tour the UK and so can Stevie. If she swallowed her pride, pulled her finger out and booked smaller venues here then I can't see why it wouldn't be a success. Lindsey Buckingham was due to play dates here before he had to cancel due to his injury. It's all just excuses with Stevie sometimes. It's frustrating.

I know for a fact I'm not forking out for tickets to see FM on their next UK tour if it's just another rehash of the same old songs. It really is a bore being a FM/SN fan at times, sorry to say.

Yes! Agree wholeheartedly. Well said

[David]

Originally Posted by BombaySapphire3

But how do you explain both Rumours and Tusk going to number one in the UK in 1978 and 1979?

I think that sales are a more insightful gauge to popularity than chart position. The latter just sort of occurs based on advance publicity and marketing. But Rumours sold several million during its first year in the States. How many did it sell in Britain during that time? Anyone know? Same with Tusk. The Brits just weren't listening to Tusk. They didn't like it. In 1979, they were listening to the Sex Pistols, the Police, the Cramps, the Stranglers, the Buzzcocks, the Clash, and all those punkers (which is admirable, I must say).

In 1978–1980, Fleetwood Mac was a megastar band in the States, in Australia, and in Japan. But not in Britain. They were a lot more popular in Britain ONLY with Tango and after Lindsey split.

[Sanne2]

Originally Posted by David

I think that sales are a more insightful gauge to popularity than chart position. The latter just sort of occurs based on advance publicity and marketing. But Rumours sold several million during its first year in the States. How many did it sell in Britain during that time? Anyone know? Same with Tusk. The Brits just weren't listening to Tusk. They didn't like it. In 1979, they were listening to the Sex Pistols, the Police, the Cramps, the Stranglers, the Buzzcocks, the Clash, and all those punkers (which is admirable, I must say).

In 1978–1980, Fleetwood Mac was a megastar band in the States, in Australia, and in Japan. But not in Britain. They were a lot more popular in Britain ONLY with Tango and after Lindsey split.

And yet they played 6 (almost) consecutive nights at Wembly in June 1980, I don't know if each of those nights was a sell out but still.

[TheSorcerer]

Originally Posted by David

I think that sales are a more insightful gauge to popularity than chart position. The latter just sort of occurs based on advance publicity and marketing. But Rumours sold several million during its first year in the States. How many did it sell in Britain during that time? Anyone know?

"Rumours" spent over a year solidly in the UK top 20 from March 1977 to May 1978. That period alone must have brought it multi-platinum sales.

Originally Posted by David

The Brits just weren't listening to Tusk. They didn't like it. In 1979, they were listening to the Sex Pistols, the Police, the Cramps, the Stranglers, the Buzzcocks, the Clash, and all those punkers (which is admirable, I must say).

"Tusk" actually knocked The Police from the #1 spot on the UK album chart in November 1979.

Originally Posted by David

In 1978–1980, Fleetwood Mac was a megastar band in the States, in Australia, and in Japan. But not in Britain. They were a lot more popular in Britain ONLY with Tango and after Lindsey split.

They've got to have had large popularity since "Rumours" and "Tusk" both hit #1 and they sold out 6 nights at Wembley in 1980. Not just any old band could sell that many nights at Wembley. I'm pretty sure a few of the bands you've noted above never sold Wembley Arena out as a leading act during 1979/1980.

[BombaySapphire3]

List of highest certified albums in the UK (BPI)













1

21

Adele

2011

15× Platinum

4,500,000



2

(What's the Story) Morning Glory?

Oasis

1995

14× Platinum

4,200,000



3

Gold: Greatest Hits

ABBA

1992

13× Platinum

3,900,000



Brothers in Arms

Dire Straits

1985

13× Platinum

3,900,000



Bad

Michael Jackson

1987

13× Platinum

3,900,000



6

The Immaculate Collection

Madonna

1990

12× Platinum

3,600,000



Stars

Simply Red

1991

12× Platinum

3,600,000



8

Rumours

Fleetwood Mac

1971

11× Platinum

3,300,000



Thriller

Michael Jackson

1982

11× Platinum

3,300,000



Greatest Hits

Queen

1981

11× Platinum

3,300,000







List current to 2012[2]

[wild-heart]

Originally Posted by TheSorcerer

"In Your Dreams" scored its second highest chart position in the UK and that still hasn't convinced her to tour the album here. Her association with Fleetwood Mac alone would probably guarantee a few successful dates. She doesn't even need to try and sell out the O2 Arena, MEN Arena or the NEC in Birmingham, she could do a few nights at Shepherd's Bush Empire or the Symphony Hall instead. The Symphony Hall has hosted some great talent from Cyndi Lauper, Heart and Crosby, Stills & Nash, even Jewel sold the place out in 2002 and her chart success in the UK is even less than Stevie's. Maybe she's put off with the idea of perhaps having to downsize venues here in the UK and not play the big arenas that FM do. She could have played a few dates around the country while she was over here for the three weeks or so last year when promoting IYD.

I don't buy the excuse regarding whether a tour over here is cost effective or not. Countless smaller bands/aritsts from the US tour the UK and so can Stevie. If she swallowed her pride, pulled her finger out and booked smaller venues here then I can't see why it wouldn't be a success. Lindsey Buckingham was due to play dates here before he had to cancel due to his injury. It's all just excuses with Stevie sometimes. It's frustrating.

I know for a fact I'm not forking out for tickets to see FM on their next UK tour if it's just another rehash of the same old songs. It really is a bore being a FM/SN fan at times, sorry to say.

I agree with this so much. P.s I saw Cyndi at the Symphony Hall and it is a lovely venue, perfect for a Stevie gig.

[Dodfather]

Originally Posted by TheSorcerer

"In Your Dreams" scored its second highest chart position in the UK and that still hasn't convinced her to tour the album here. Her association with Fleetwood Mac alone would probably guarantee a few successful dates. She doesn't even need to try and sell out the O2 Arena, MEN Arena or the NEC in Birmingham, she could do a few nights at Shepherd's Bush Empire or the Symphony Hall instead. The Symphony Hall has hosted some great talent from Cyndi Lauper, Heart and Crosby, Stills & Nash, even Jewel sold the place out in 2002 and her chart success in the UK is even less than Stevie's. Maybe she's put off with the idea of perhaps having to downsize venues here in the UK and not play the big arenas that FM do. She could have played a few dates around the country while she was over here for the three weeks or so last year when promoting IYD.

I don't buy the excuse regarding whether a tour over here is cost effective or not. Countless smaller bands/aritsts from the US tour the UK and so can Stevie. If she swallowed her pride, pulled her finger out and booked smaller venues here then I can't see why it wouldn't be a success. Lindsey Buckingham was due to play dates here before he had to cancel due to his injury. It's all just excuses with Stevie sometimes. It's frustrating.

Couldn't have said it better. Thank you.