What if... Lindsey never left the band

[Villavic]

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

I doubt the Tango tour would have been MORE successful. The first tour in five years, Stevie's solo success, and the curiousity of having two new guys made it a huge draw.

That's questionable. Probably Lindsey's fans didn't go to these shows because they were disappointed. What was bigger? the curiosity of seeing 2 new guys, or seeing my favorite lineup after 5 years?

[DashingDan]

Originally Posted by Villavic

That's questionable. Probably Lindsey's fans didn't go to these shows because they were disappointed. What was bigger? the curiosity of seeing 2 new guys, or seeing my favorite lineup after 5 years?

Having been to 4 tango shows and talking to folks in the seats adjacent to me, I would guess that only 75% of the attendees knew that 1. there was a lineup change 2. That Lindsay Buckingham was the guitar player and not one of the women. That's leaves a lot attendees in the "I like Fleetwood Mac cos I know all the songs and Stevie Nicks is cool" category. Remember, tickets were affordable then, you could be a passing fan and attend a big rock concert without putting an entire paycheck on the line.

[Villavic]

Originally Posted by DashingDan

Having been to 4 tango shows and talking to folks in the seats adjacent to me, I would guess that only 75% of the attendees knew that 1. there was a lineup change 2. That Lindsay Buckingham was the guitar player and not one of the women. That's leaves a lot attendees in the "I like Fleetwood Mac cos I know all the songs and Stevie Nicks is cool" category. Remember, tickets were affordable then, you could be a passing fan and attend a big rock concert without putting an entire paycheck on the line.

Interesting point.

[chiliD]

I think a more poignant question would be:

What if Peter Green never left the band?

[WildHearted]

If Lindsey had never left the band, I think the whole thing would likely have imploded.

[KindOfWoman90]

Originally Posted by WildHearted

If Lindsey had never left the band, I think the whole thing would likely have imploded.

Haha I agree! I like to think everything happens for a reason; and regardless of the turmoil it caused at the time, I think it was right and good for Lindsey to take a leave of absence. They needed space. Plus, OOTC is my favorite LB album I don't want to think of a reality where that doesn't exist

[Villavic]

Originally Posted by chiliD

I think a more poignant question would be:

What if Peter Green never left the band?

That's very interesting. Maybe an excelent thread for the Pre-Rumours forum but since you already asked.... probably Fleetwood mac would have been more succesful but always within the british blues context. Not sure if they would have ventured like Eric Clapton in other genres.

Meanwhile, I think Lindsey and Stevie would have been succesful at some point, whenever they got an opportunity to be well known. If somebody from music business went to see them in Alabama (where they were pretty known, local radios played the BN album) or other place, maybe they would have been "discovered" like Jackon 5, Carpenters, etc.

Not sure what would have happen with Christine.

[SteveMacD]

Originally Posted by Villavic

That's very interesting. Maybe an excelent thread for the Pre-Rumours forum but since you already asked.... probably Fleetwood mac would have been more succesful but always within the british blues context. Not sure if they would have ventured like Eric Clapton in other genres.

Not sure what would have happen with Christine.

They weren't exactly British blues when he quit. I think Jeremy would still find religion, and Christine would probably replace him. She was the obvious choice for the band if anybody quit. Her being in the group was almost inevitable. I don't think Danny would have lasted much longer than he did, but I think the band could have easily soldiered on as a quartet and become as big as the Thin Lizzy's and Ten Years After's of the world.

Meanwhile, I think Lindsey and Stevie would have been succesful at some point, whenever they got an opportunity to be well known. If somebody from music business went to see them in Alabama (where they were pretty known, local radios played the BN album) or other place, maybe they would have been "discovered" like Jackon 5, Carpenters, etc.

They would have been the next Delaney & Bonnie or Richard & Linda Thompson.

In any event, I think all involved would have maintained a level of credibility, but none would have had the success.

[Jondalar]

If Lindsey would not of left the band, Fleetwood Mac would of turned into the Chris and Lindsey show. The quality of Stevie's songs were declining. Tango in the Night was really a battle between Lindsey and Christine in the songwriting department. Stevie really proved to be the weak link. I think Lindsey would of turned songs like Sky is the Limit and Behind the Mask into big hits and they would of had a couple of more huge albums but I can't see Stevie more relevant.

[KarmaContestant]

Originally Posted by chiliD

I think a more poignant question would be:

What if Peter Green never left the band?

Then....

None of us would be here on this forum. Few of us would care about Fleetwood Mac, and it's likely that FM would have faded into obscurity long, long ago.

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by KarmaContestant

Then....

None of us would be here on this forum. Few of us would care about Fleetwood Mac, and it's likely that FM would have faded into obscurity long, long ago.

I agree completely. They would have faded after a few more years, and that probably would have been that.
Now, are we working under the assumption that Peter wouldn't have had the bad acid trip, the German's not taken him away, and he somehow became motivated to stay in a money making band?

[FierySequences]

Originally Posted by KarmaContestant

Then....

None of us would be here on this forum. Few of us would care about Fleetwood Mac, and it's likely that FM would have faded into obscurity long, long ago.

I love this answer, it's so true.

Also, I actually like the idea of the poster saying SN should have not been involved TITN( moved on) and recorded 7w on her own.

and the fact that if LB hadn't left....the band would have imploded and (my take) all would be instutionalized by now. Imagine John in a corner playing a ukelele and Stevie beating Mick over the head with a (make-shift tambo) damanding he return the crayolas!

[jmn3]

I was a little kid then, but from what I know of the band and the tour, I have to agree that it probably wouldn't have been MORE successful with Lindsey...it was very successful in it's own right. And I do remember the Mac getting a LOT of airplay at that time with the TITN singles on radio and MTV.

However, I like to think that if Lindsey was involved, the tour would have sported a much different setlist and included quite a bit of the Tango album. I think there would have either been no solo songs (1987 was the intro to FM playing Stand Back at every show) or there would have been solo songs from all three songwriters (probably, Stand Back, Go Insane, and Got a Hold On Me). Aside from Oh Well, there definitely wouldn't have been any other pre-1975 stuff....and I doubt they would have played Don't Let Me Down Again (which seemed odd to play a BN song without the B anyway).

Given the bandmates relationships at the time, I doubt the tour would have gone on into 1988 and more than likely there would have been no Behind the Mask album or much from Fleetwood Mac until the inauguration in '92.

[chiliD]

Originally Posted by Villavic

That's questionable. Probably Lindsey's fans didn't go to these shows because they were disappointed. What was bigger? the curiosity of seeing 2 new guys, or seeing my favorite lineup after 5 years?

At that point in time, I don't think there was a large contingent of "only Lindsey" fans. His solo albums at that point were just "things to do while Fleetwood Mac wasn't active", rather than being a serious attempt at a solo career.