What if... Lindsey never left the band

[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.

[SteveMacD]

Originally Posted by 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.

I can't see how Lindsey would've turned "Behind The Mask" into a hit, since he played on it anyway. I think "Tango" would've been better if Stevie would've just quit prior to it being recorded. It may have been a better record, and Lindsey might not have left.

[Jondalar]

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

I can't see how Lindsey would've turned "Behind The Mask" into a hit, since he played on it anyway. I think "Tango" would've been better if Stevie would've just quit prior to it being recorded. It may have been a better record, and Lindsey might not have left.

He didn't produce it. I mean Lindsey made things work. Behind the Mask was a mess of ideas and very little worked. It was an embarrassment. You may be right about Stevie. Seven Wonders would of been a nice hit for her solo career and Fleetwood Mac didn't need it.

[SteveMacD]

Originally Posted by Jondalar

He didn't produce it. I mean Lindsey made things work. Behind the Mask was a mess of ideas and very little worked. It was an embarrassment. You may be right about Stevie. Seven Wonders would of been a nice hit for her solo career and Fleetwood Mac didn't need it.

I think Seven Wonders would've been perfect for her solo career.

[Villavic]

Originally Posted by Jondalar

He didn't produce it. I mean Lindsey made things work. Behind the Mask was a mess of ideas and very little worked. It was an embarrassment. You may be right about Stevie. Seven Wonders would of been a nice hit for her solo career and Fleetwood Mac didn't need it.

Partially agree. I mean, Yes Lindsey didn't produce anything in the BTM album. If he had produced it (or with Dashut!), and added songs, it would have been a stronger album, even in spit of the turmoil between members that was still there. I agree completely in this. (remember how Stevie said he has a special talent to make her songs great!)

But I don't see the BTM album as just a mess of ideas. It is just weak produced. Weaker than the previous albums. Besides I do agree with Mick that it was too underrated in America (peak position: 18). He said also it reached N.1 in England. And in terms of sales, it went gold as Say You Will (500,000 sales/shipments), according to Wikipedia. That is not so embarrasing.

[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!