Fleetwood Mac unleashes a barrage of opinions

[MacMan]

With tour looming, Fleetwood Mac unleashes a barrage of opinions

The Morning Call

The members of Fleetwood Mac have been known to go their own way, and during a 94-minute teleconference today, band members offered a variety of explanations about why their first tour in four years is being called "Unleashed."

"It's unleashing the furies, unleashing us back into the universe, unleashing an amazing musical entity back into the world," said always ethereal singer Stevie Nicks. "You might have to wear your armor."

Drummer Mick Fleetwood said the tour name was inspired by a comedic "mantra" uttered before Mac live shows on an earlier tour: "Every gig before we would walk on stage, one of our guitarists had this thing he'd say, 'Unleash the hounds! Unleash the hounds!' ... I was remembering that little mantra [when coming up with the tour name] ... It's about not being restricted. ... 'This is us, let us go out and do it.' It's not really that complicated."

"Stevie [Nicks] and I had a go-round on this," said usually reticent bassist John McVie. "I don’t think there was any thought of us being stifled or held back."

The 44-city greatest-hits tour, which begins on March 1 in Pittsburgh, will stop at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia on April 15. Tickets are $49.50, $79.50 and $149.50. But people trying to buy tickets through Ticketmaster have been re-directed to a site that charges between $240 and $1,065 apiece.

When it was my turn to pose a question, I asked if the musicians if they were aware of the ticket scalping. The generally cordial exchange grew tense. Singer-guitarist Lindsey Buckingham said the practice "was a pretty typical thing," adding that "Irving Azoff was quoted in the paper as being against that" and that Azoff, who is part of Fleetwood Mac's management team, "will make sure that kind of thing didn’t happen."

Things got a little more uncomfortable with a follow-up question from a Minneapolis Star Tribune reporter. In light of the bad economy, why did Fleetwood Mac raise the top ticket price to $150, compared to $125 four years ago?

Nicks replied that touring now costs "a gazillion dollars more than four years ago." The last time out, she said, the band and its entire entourage flew in a 738 jet. This time, only band members will be flying in a Gulfstream 400 business jet becausd of fuel and rental costs. "Everybody else will be on the bus," Nicks said. "We wish we didn’t have to charge anything. I wish we could just play. ... But you can be sure that the people [being interviewed] on the phone will be making phone calls after we hang up" to find out what is going on with ticket prices.

Fleetwood said the band is "somewhat informed, but not fully informed. ... We're trying to do this the best way that makes sense for our audience. ... We are more than aware the people around us are doing their uppermost to make this a possibility."

This being Fleetwood Mac, there also was talk of the combustible personalities that have fueled both the band's music and tabloid columns. For the moment, there seems to be harmony.

"Lindsey's been in incredibly good humor since we started rehearsing on the 5th of January," Nicks reported. "When Lindsey’s in a good humor, everybody’s happy. Our only problem is that our rehersal time has been messed with a little bit" by family matters.

Added Buckingham: "Knowing that we did not succeed as well as we could have last time we did an album and tour together and on a personal level ... we have something to shoot for that is a little higher. ... We are a group of contradictions ... [but] the whole being greater than the sum of its parts."

Buckingham also said at another point, "Unity is waiting in the wings."

While the tour set list has not been finalized, "Dreams," "Go Your Own Way" and "Don’t Stop" will be performed, said Fleetwood, along with "special songs that aren’t considered massive hits but are emotionally connected with Fleetwood Mac."

Going on the road without a new album to promote "frees you up to enjoy each other as people," said Buckingham. "Let’s have a good time and value the friendships and history ... It takes the pressure off ... and allows more fun than we would normally be able to have."

In conjunction with the tour, Fleetwood Mac's Grammy-winning 1977 album, "Rumors," will be re-issued as part of a special CD/DVD boxed set with uneleased tracks recorded during the making of "Rumors," as well as a DVD with never-before-seen footage of the band.

The album reflected the turmoil of the previous two years -- Fleetwood separated from his wife Jenny; so did McVie and keyboardist-singer Christine McVie and Buckingham and Nicks, although all five remained in the band.

Asked if the re-release might re-open new wounds, Buckingham replied, "Even though we were drawing on our own experiences, I don’t believe the songs on 'Rumors' were so starkly autobiographical. ... It was three writers cross-dialoging with each other. ... The tabloid (quality) of it was only revealed to us by our audience after the fact. ... [Now] you tend to see the irony in the songs ... the heroicism we possessed. We saw ... the music had redemptive power and could be a symbol for other people. The whole struggle had a meaning to it that was symbolic."

Since its original release, "Rumors" has racked up 30 million in sales. Buckingham said he expects the re-issue will sell about 100,000 copies, "maybe."

Here are other comments on various topics made during the interview:

Fleetwood on the possibility of recording a new Fleetwood Mac album:
"My heart believes that all will happen."

Nicks on Christine McVie's continued retirement:
"I’ve been the only girl in Fleetwood Mac since 1998, so I’m used to it now. ... But I miss Christine ... The loss of Christine as one of my best girlfriends was horrific to me ... Not a day goes by that I don’t wish she would call up and say, 'I’m back.' "

Nicks on working as a solo artist versus playing in a band:
"When you’re in a band, you’re not the boss. ... You’re part of a team. ... Do I like not being the boss? No, I really do like being the boss ... After 11 solo albums, you get used to being the boss." But she enjoys being in a band, too. "It's good to be knocked down a little like that. ... It makes you think a little more. ... It makes you humble.

Nicks on when she will record her next solo album:
"Not for a long time. When I am in one relationship, I am not in another one. ... I’m a fragile old grandmother at this point, even though I don’t have grandchildren. I need to stay focused on one thing....

Fleetwood on U2:
"They were an Irish pop band that made all the right moves ... [The group's success] makes me feel good about the music business ... because they are able to do what they do with some sense of integrity."

Nicks on whether she expected to be playing rock 'n' roll when she was 60:
"The answer to that would be yes. I joined Fleetwood Mac when I was 28. I went on tour with my normal street clothes, we didn't have any money. It was a three-month thing. I opened my suitcase and found out I had gained five pounds. I sat down and started to draw an outfit. I said to myself I am going to have a uniform I can wear it today and wear it at 60. I remember it like it was yesterday."

[Regina]

I have to say, that the Philadelphia article made them seem like less heartless bastards than they did in the first article we read.
They did expound on the money issue, even if not giving out concrete info.

So, editing is everything.

Lindsey's in a good mood so everything flows well. Nice to hand over your power to another person's mood. Way to be enlightened, Grandma! (and, I'm saying this because I'm really slightly annoyed with the fragile granny routine because one of the reasons I love and admire Stevie is because, in spite of appearances, I've always considered her a strong, independent woman. Not some shrinking violet in the corner, depending on the moods and whims of others. I don't know where she's going with this new image of hers).

And Lindsey didn't retire the whole is greater than the sum or its parts speech. For some reason, I knew that one was going to come out!
ha! Any day now, we'll be back to cycles.

Unleashed (heehee)

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by Regina

I have to say, that the Philadelphia article made them seem like less heartless bastards than they did in the first article we read.
They did expound on the money issue, even if not giving out concrete info.

So, editing is everything.

Lindsey's in a good mood so everything flows well. Nice to hand over your power to another person's mood. Way to be enlightened, Grandma! (and, I'm saying this because I'm really slightly annoyed with the fragile granny routine because one of the reasons I love and admire Stevie is because, in spite of appearances, I've always considered her a strong, independent woman. Not some shrinking violet in the corner, depending on the moods and whims of others. I don't know where she's going with this new image of hers).

And Lindsey didn't retire the whole is greater than the sum or its parts speech. For some reason, I knew that one was going to come out!
ha! Any day now, we'll be back to cycles.

Unleashed (heehee)

Yes, believe it or not, the media is biased! Shocker, eh?

It's remarkable that this went on for 94 minutes- I can just imagine all of the juicy tidbits that we have not heard/read about yet. It seems that we have been hearing only the most sensational, scandalous quotes thus far. A bootleg of this tape must emerge...

Also, I am sure Stevie is kidding about the grandmother thing. I'm sure it reads much worse than it sounds; I suspect she offered her trademark dry chuckle after saying that. However, I am just puzzled by her response to the question about her next solo album. It won't be for "a long time?" WTF??? Is she aware that time is running out??

[David]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

However, I am just puzzled by her response to the question about her next solo album. It won't be for "a long time?" WTF??? Is she aware that time is running out??

Don't you think it's her way of saying that she has virtually no interest in doing another album? It's her way of saying "When hell freezes over."

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by MacMan

Our only problem is that our rehersal time has been messed with a little bit by family matters.

Anybody know what this is about?

[mylittledemon]

Originally Posted by Betsy

Anybody know what this is about?

Lindsey's family?

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by Regina

Lindsey's in a good mood so everything flows well. Nice to hand over your power to another person's mood.

Well, nice to suggest that no one else is moody and no one else's mood interferes with band interactions. But she's always been like that. Lindsey was angry with me. Lindsey was not happy with me. Lindsey was mad at me. It's like the emotion only goes one way, when we know that's not the case. It's a 2 way thing. Well, three or four way. Of course, I think Mick is always good to go, but John loses patience and wants to be elsewhere. Everyone has feelings/moods that effect the others.

Michele

[Dodfather]

Neither of the recent interviews have answered the question I'm DYING to know.... are there any plans to bring the tour to the UK/Europe???

Has anyone heard anything on this?

[michelej1]

Isn't it more wasteful only to carry the four of them on a jet?? I mean, as long as you're going to have a private plane and are paying for that fuel, you might as well load as many people on it as possible.

I guess you can get a really small one that just holds the 4 of them. Oh my goodness, I would love to be a stowaway on that plane. Such close quarters would have to bring out the drama. On the way home, I'm sure they just sleep, but on the way there, I'm sure there must be frolicsome times.

I wonder if Lindsey would try to bring that little hand held camera he used with his own band, when he's flying with FM. Turning it on all of them. Of course that would really be annoying for the others. Heck, it's annoying to me.

I like what John said about not thinkng "unleashed" would fit because there hasn't been any question about them having been held back.

Michele

[MacMan]

Originally Posted by Dodfather

Neither of the recent interviews have answered the question I'm DYING to know.... are there any plans to bring the tour to the UK/Europe???

Has anyone heard anything on this?

I think they will.... In the press release for Micks cd release for North America that came out today - it mentions that Fleetwood Mac are about to embark on a World Tour (for whatever that's worth). Most press mentions a North American Tour. But I'm sure it all depends on how the first round of dates go attendance wise.

Plus, why would they invite an Australian Media outlet to these conference call interview things if they had no plans to possibly go down under? If some of these interview segments start showing up in the British press you can bet they'll be heading over there.

This is just my opinion.

[JbbyStew86]

Originally Posted by MacMan

said Fleetwood, along with "special songs that aren’t considered massive hits but are emotionally connected with Fleetwood Mac."

thank god. maybe we'll see what makes you think you're the one after all. but i know im getting my hopes up for nothing

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by michelej1

Isn't it more wasteful only to carry the four of them on a jet?? I mean, as long as you're going to have a private plane and are paying for that fuel, you might as well load as many people on it as possible.

I guess you can get a really small one that just holds the 4 of them. Oh my goodness, I would love to be a stowaway on that plane. Such close quarters would have to bring out the drama. On the way home, I'm sure they just sleep, but on the way there, I'm sure there must be frolicsome times.

I wonder if Lindsey would try to bring that little hand held camera he used with his own band, when he's flying with FM. Turning it on all of them. Of course that would really be annoying for the others. Heck, it's annoying to me.

I like what John said about not thinkng "unleashed" would fit because there hasn't been any question about them having been held back.

Michele

I would imagine the little Jetstream they're flying in will probably be partitioned into little warrens where everyone can hide from each other. I seriously doubt Stevie and Lindsey would be sitting next to each other solving crossword puzzles. But it would be so cool if they used this opportunity to get up there with a few instruments and spend some quality time composing. Ah... one could only dream...

[wheart]

Added Buckingham: "Knowing that we did not succeed as well as we could have last time we did an album and tour together and on a personal level ... we have something to shoot for that is a little higher. ...


I take it LB is referring to the poor sales performance of SYW and the inner tensions of the band during the making of the album and the following tour. The SYW tour itself was a success, was it not? They couldn't have played 135 dates if it weren't making $$. Still it's comforting to hear that they're trying to kick it up a notch, but, judging from his comments, I wonder if he and the band were happy with the way the tour played out.

[jbrownsjr]

Originally Posted by wheart

Added Buckingham: "Knowing that we did not succeed as well as we could have last time we did an album and tour together and on a personal level ... we have something to shoot for that is a little higher. ...


I take it LB is referring to the poor sales performance of SYW and the inner tensions of the band during the making of the album and the following tour. The SYW tour itself was a success, was it not? They couldn't have played 135 dates if it weren't making $$. Still it's comforting to hear that they're trying to kick it up a notch, but, judging from his comments, I wonder if he and the band were happy with the way the tour played out.

I'll defer to Luke.... But I remember the album didn't break 1 million in sales... and they actually had to add more dates to make up for the lack of sales (tickets and album units)....

Am I accurate?

[John Run]

Originally Posted by jbrownsjr

I'll defer to Luke.... But I remember the album didn't break 1 million in sales... and they actually had to add more dates to make up for the lack of sales (tickets and album units)....

Am I accurate?

They did fine on ticket sales during the SYW tour. They had to take a samller guarantee on the 2004 legs which had a lot of sheds, but overall they made plenty of money touring in 2003-2004.