Aren't We Being A Little Hard On The Band?

[Sahara]

Originally Posted by Jyqm

It's all of them. You can't blame solely the band, because hardly any bands take it upon themselves to organize these types of releases. Nor can you blame solely the management and other personal bureaucrats, because these people were hired by the members of the band. They've all surrounded themselves with this fortress of completely worthless bureaucracy that does far more to hinder this band from doing anything worthwhile than it does to help. And we can also blame Warner/Reprise for not pushing for more of these projects, for whatever reason. There's plenty of blame to go around for everyone.

Point cheerfully taken on board.

[strandinthewind]

I think it is wildly incorrect to suggest or imply that a band that has sold tens of millions of records (not so much lately but that is IMO mostly due to their age) and, more recently, made tens of million of dollars in concert and merch. revenue is poorly managed Moreover, the remastered FMFM, Rumors, and Tusk records did not exactly fly off of the shelves and most of the hits from the remaining records were, I think, remastered on the VBOFM.

So, yes, I would love to see the rest of the records remastered, concert footage released, etc., but I get that there will be no significant money in it, etc.

I also think the band is hesitant to release any concert footage from BTM because that era was not stellar for them and its time has passed.

In the end, I get that this is a business and decisions are made accordingly.

Having said that, I think it is assinine that the individual members do not release little tidbits of live performaces and other footage for free on their websites. I mean out of sight . . . . .

[chiliD]

Originally Posted by Lala

I've been reading all of threads regarding disapointment over lack of new/remastered material. I understand you're all frustrated, trust me I am too. But aren't we being a little hard on these guys?

In a word...NO!!

Originally Posted by Lala

There have been some more personal attacks on band members, calling them "idiots", etc.

"Idiot is as idiot does"

Originally Posted by Lala

And it made me stop and think, aren't we all here because we love this band?

I love my family, too, but I call them idiots quite often as well.

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

I also think the band is hesitant to release any concert footage from BTM because that era was not stellar for them and its time has passed.

But it was okay to release the TITN video?

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by chiliD

I love my family, too, but I call them idiots quite often as well.

I'm sure it's mutual.

Don't worry everyone, I'm sure the band has called their fans idiots from time to time.

[chiliD]

Originally Posted by Richard B

I'm sure it's mutual.

Don't worry everyone, I'm sure the band has called their fans idiots from time to time.

And deservedly so.

[Jyqm]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

Moreover, the remastered FMFM, Rumors, and Tusk records did not exactly fly off of the shelves

Of course they didn't, and I certainly hope nobody thought that they would. These types of projects aren't released with the expectation that they'll be notching huge sales as soon as they're released...

So, yes, I would love to see the rest of the records remastered, concert footage released, etc., but I get that there will be no significant money in it, etc.

...however there is significant money to be made with these types of releases. These are catalogue releases. The point isn't that they're going to rocket to the top of the charts, but that they will slowly and steadily be bought both by die-hard fans looking to upgrade their older copies of albums and by newcomers who have yet to discover the band. They're quick and easy projects to assemble and put on the shelves, and they'll sell modestly but steadily for years to come.

In the end, I get that this is a business and decisions are made accordingly.

As does everybody else. But what nobody understands is why so many other artists, who have much smaller followings than Fleetwood Mac, and who likely never will sell as many records as Fleetwood Mac, apparently think it's a good business decision to release remastered albums and concert DVDs and whatever else, while Fleetwood Mac doesn't. Either all of these other bands are idiots who are losing money, or Fleetwood Mac is. I'm not inclined to give the Fleetwood Mac organization the benefit of the doubt here.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by Richard B

But it was okay to release the TITN video?

FM was still very popular at that time and that popularity (along with the brilliant music) made TITN sell several million copies in the US alone and the tour sold fairly if not mostly well despite the absence of LB - that is why that video got made. Conversely, BTM sold, I think, less than 1,000,000 in the US and the tour was not that successful. So, I think concluding there would be little interest 16 years later in that less popular time for the band is mostly correct.

As an aside, I wonder if not paying Billy, Rick, and I guess CM any royalties they may be due has anything to do with it. I am just speculating here though.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by Jyqm

. . . As does everybody else. But what nobody understands is why so many other artists, who have much smaller followings than Fleetwood Mac, and who likely never will sell as many records as Fleetwood Mac, apparently think it's a good business decision to release remastered albums and concert DVDs and whatever else, while Fleetwood Mac doesn't. Either all of these other bands are idiots who are losing money, or Fleetwood Mac is. I'm not inclined to give the Fleetwood Mac organization the benefit of the doubt here.

But, the point I think you are missing is FM has released the cat. stuff and did so fairly recently and that release was a reprise of the boxed set in the early 90's and the GH in 89(?) - Then, they released the VBOFM, which contained new remasters. So, they are doing the cat., thing. I also think their method is fairly smart in the the Greatest Hits is and was a huge selling production and the VBOFM sold way more than the FMFM, Rumors, and Tust remasters did combined (I think - my memory fades ) -- So, though I would like the 80's stuff remastered, I think the band and their management are being financially clever in their decisions and the sales of the GH stuff supports me on that.

Interestingly, FM also sells its concert DVD's and has done so since Tusk, with the exception of the BTM era.

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

FM was still very popular at that time and that popularity (along with the brilliant music) made TITN sell several million copies in the US alone and the tour sold fairly if not mostly well despite the absence of LB - that is why that video got made. Conversely, BTM sold, I think, less than 1,000,000 in the US and the tour was not that successful. So, I think concluding there would be little interest 16 years later in that less popular time for the band is mostly correct.

As an aside, I wonder is not paying Billy, Rick, and I guess CM any royalties they may be due has anything to do with it. I am just speculating here though.

I must apologize for not making myself more clear. I was speaking of the recently released TITN DVD. When they released this video DVD, the band was already back together, meaning Lindsey returned.

Why this release was allowed at the time and not, oh say the HBO FM in Concert (Mirage Tour) instead is beyond me.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by Richard B

I must apologize for not making myself more clear. I was speaking of the recently released TITN DVD. When they released this video DVD, the band was already back together, meaning Lindsey returned.

Why this release was allowed at the time and not, oh say the HBO FM in Concert (Mirage Tour) instead is beyond me.

I do not know. It could be because other than, I think, the GH package, TITN was the second best selling FM record.

As an aside, I also think it could be because the TITN DVD is more time relevant and is very slick in its production, which the Mirage Tour is not and can be painful to watch at times due to the drugs, the off key singing, etc. - though I love it mind you.

Interestingly, La Nicks remastered or at least released the Red Rocks DVD and not the Bella Donna era concert, which was seemingly a much more popular time for her.

[Nixxxed]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

Interestingly, La Nicks remastered or at least released the Red Rocks DVD and not the Bella Donna era concert, which was seemingly a much more popular time for her.

I've always wondered if this has something to do with HBO. Red Rocks was broadcast on Showtime. Are there other bands whose early '80s HBO specials were released? Come to think of it, I've never noticed any.

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

I do not know. It could be because other than, I think, the GH package, TITN was the second best selling FM record.

As an aside, I also think it could be because the TITN DVD is more time relevant and is very slick in its production, which the Mirage Tour is not and can be painful to watch at times due to the drugs, the off key singing, etc. - though I love it mind you.

Interestingly, La Nicks remastered or at least released the Red Rocks DVD and not the Bella Donna era concert, which was seemingly a much more popular time for her.

All Greatest Hits album sell well regardless of the artist. Consumers eat that **** up.

I think it was a very poor decision to release the TITN DVD after the release of The Dance. It does not depict the current band as it is. Also, WB owns the rights to the TITN video, making it all too easy to pop it onto the consumer market. Also Mick probably wanted to give a nod to this incarantion of FM and throw a dig at Lindsey.

When the HBO concert was aired, it received very high ratings and FM was already all over a young MTV with the Hold Me and Gypsy videos. I have no idea who owns the rights to the HBO show any more. When the video for it was on the market, it was CBS/Fox as well as the Stevie Nicks in Concert video.

Which brings us to the Rock-A-Little video. Also probably easier to put on the market. Why would Stevie prefer this show to be out there for consumers over her much more critically acclaimed prior video? Again, I think it comes down to licensing rights. I don't think Stevie or FM own the rights to the aforementioned CBS/Fox videos.

[strandinthewind]

^^^^

I wonder how we find out about the rights to these.

I know La Nicks sold part of her rights to a bunch of her older stuff, and that Michael Jackson owns them. I sure would love it if someone could break down who owns what. I think someone did awhile back though.

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

^^^^

I wonder how we find out about the rights to these.

I know La Nicks sold part of her rights to a bunch of her older stuff, and that Michael Jackson owns them. I sure would love it if someone could break down who owns what. I think someone did awhile back though.

It gets tricky. The video rights and the song rights contained in the video could very well be owned by different entities.