Bob Welch/Fleetwood Mac ignores him

[Wendy Welch]

You are so wrong. Much will come out later. But you know NOTHING! about Bob and Christine's relationship. Mick was managing Bob and Chris did it for Mick as far as the Roxy show was concerned, but not his solo albums with Captol. Mick did not manage him at the time of his hits. Other than that you will have to wait for the book, but you were not there. It had nothing to do with the lawsuit with Clifford Davis or anything else, as far as Bob quitting the band. It had everything to do with personalities. But as I said, you only know what Bob said so politely to the press, but not the real truth. Quit trying to act like you were there or in the know, none of you know anything but the falsehoods that you read in the press. As it should be until the time is right to tell the whole truth. Christine was more vicious than you can ever imagine, nor than Bob or I could. We were both shocked at her actions over the RRHOF. By the way, Christine never collaberated with him nor did Mick, Stevie or Lindsey. Lindsey produced one song and Chris sang backup on one song. Mick had nothing to do with his solo albums with Capitol. So you are quite misinformed. No collaberation, just paid to sing and produce, big payments to them, I might add and royalties.They contributed nothing to the songwriting or lead vocals or guitars, etc. Lindsey is an incredible producer who I totally admire for all of his talents. I will say no more.

[jwd]

Originally Posted by Wendy Welch

You are so wrong. Much will come out later. But you know NOTHING! about Bob and Christine's relationship. Mick was managing Bob and Chris did it for Mick. Other than that you will have to wait for the book, but you were not there. It had nothing to do with the lawsuit with Clifford Davis or anything else, as far as Bob quitting the band. It had everything to do with personalities. But as I said, you only know what Bob said so politely to the press, but not the real truth. Quit trying to act like you were there or in the know, none of you know anything but the falsehoods that you read in the press. As it should be until the time is right to tell the whole truth. Christine was more vicious than you can ever imagine, nor than Bob or I could. We were both shocked at her actions over the RRHOF.

Please forgive me Wendy. I didn't mean to offend you. If I came off acting like I KNOW everything, I apologize. I surely don't know everything, especially when it comes to Bob and Chris' relationship. I'm just trying to understand, that's all. These are just perceptions that most, if not all of FM fans have. And I don't think it's that unrealistic to think that we would have these perceptions. I'm not calling you a liar or anyone else. Like I said I just want to understand the situation from a fan's perspective. That is all.

[Wendy Welch]

Thank you so much for explaining yourself. I have had to stand up to these statements ffor a long time and I must admit I overreacted, but it is so hard to accept the "no flies on me" Christine that everyone seems to think they know . It is just so not true and really sets me off. I apologize if I went off, but I do admit that this stuff just breaks my heart because I know how terribly Bob was treated by her before and after his death.

[jwd]

Originally Posted by Wendy Welch

Thank you so much for explaining yourself. I have had to stand up to these statements ffor a long time and I must admit I overreacted, but it is so hard to accept the "no flies on me" Christine that everyone seems to think they know . It is just so not true and really sets me off. I apologize if I went off, but I do admit that this stuff just breaks my heart because I know how terribly Bob was treated by her before and after his death.

Apology accepted and love back at you. I understand that you must be hurting a lot. I'm sorry for that. I respect that you are expressing yourself here on The Ledge and I appreciate it.

For what it's worth, Bob Welch should be in the RRHOF! Any differences between the band members should have been put aside at the time.

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by Wendy Welch

Thank you so much for explaining yourself. I have had to stand up to these statements ffor a long time and I must admit I overreacted, but it is so hard to accept the "no flies on me" Christine that everyone seems to think they know . It is just so not true and really sets me off. I apologize if I went off, but I do admit that this stuff just breaks my heart because I know how terribly Bob was treated by her before and after his death.

Funnily, my perception of Christine was never that she was "perfect" so to speak. I never had her on a pedestal or thought she was faultless. In fact, I embraced her faults. The things I admire about her never called for her to be kind or good. So, if I believed that she kept Bob Welch out of the RRHOF that would not change my view of her at all.

I urge you to get Bob's story out there in full, in context. So, we can read all of his thoughts, the ones that you've disclosed and others, together. Even if you can't get a publisher (or maybe you already have one), you can sell directly to fans and I think the initial interest that is sparked among the fan community would encourage a publisher to buy it. I know with Amazon publishing out there now and the other alternatives, sometimes authors can generate as much buzz on their own as they could if they had a book deal.

You could even try a kickstarter. I would certainly contribute.

Michele

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by michelej1

Funnily, my perception of Christine was never that she was "perfect" so to speak. I never had her on a pedestal or thought she was faultless. In fact, I embraced her faults. The things I admire about her never called for her to be kind or good. So, if I believed that she kept Bob Welch out of the RRHOF that would not change my view of her at all.


Michele

But I always wanted to believe that she was kind and good.

But I always embraced her bad habits...the smoking(even though I hate smoking), but especially the fact she was never photographed without a drink in her hand. God, I loved that about her.

So I guess it turns out, that John wasn't the only McVie who was bad, when he was drunk...

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

But I always wanted to believe that she was kind and good.

Oh, I never thought that or wanted to think that. I never got that vibe from her. I mean except with her dogs. I thought she was kind and good to them. Other than that, I just thought she didn't suffer fools gladly or at all. Never doubted she could go after those she thought had wronged her with a vengeance. Though I know that she, like anyone else, could be wrong about her opinions on whether she'd actually been crossed or not.

That's the thing. We all see the "truth" differently and that's why there are juries, to look at the credibility on both sides and come to an objective determination of what's true or not, to the best of their ability. Everyone has justifications for their bad behavior or I guess they don't see it as bad at all. Everyone thinks they were provoked into doing what they did. As an FM fan, I love to hear everyone's conflicting stories and get a big picture of things. The more info we have, the more illuminating. I mean, even if you don't believe something, it's always fun to know the perceptions that people like to have out there of themselves, because that gives you a lot of insight in and of itself.

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

But I always embraced her bad habits...the smoking(even though I hate smoking), but especially the fact she was never photographed without a drink in her hand. God, I loved that about her.

LOL. I have noticed that many fans like instances where the band members drink or curse or smoke (cigarettes or pot) and that makes me laugh. I don't know why people like that. I mean, I don't have anything against it. It doesn't make me uptight or disapproving. But it doesn't titillate me either.

Michele

[becca]

I don't know any saintly musicians. I was kind of down on Stevie and John Lennon in the past learning about some things... oh and Muddy Waters way before that. If Charles Manson wrote a good song it would still be a good song. I am sorry Christine keeps choosing to not do the better thing.

[jwd]

Originally Posted by Wendy Welch

. By the way, Christine never collaberated with him nor did Mick, Stevie or Lindsey. Lindsey produced one song and Chris sang backup on one song. Mick had nothing to do with his solo albums with Capitol. So you are quite misinformed. No collaberation, just paid to sing and produce, big payments to them, I might add and royalties.They contributed nothing to the songwriting or lead vocals or guitars, etc. Lindsey is an incredible producer who I totally admire for all of his talents. I will say no more.

I used the word collaborate loosely. Maybe I should have said 'worked with'. Sorry.

[movidude]

Hey Wendy,
Just saying that you totally have my support. It seems like like an endless battle but big hugs and we keep posting.
J.

[The Catdancer]

Keep on going, Wendy, and stay strong!

[HomerMcvie]

And I too know that you're frustrated, Wendy. Trying to right the wrongs....

You know, Bob and Christine are my all time favorite members of FM. And I've believed every word you've said about Christine. It was heartbreaking for me to read, but I(unfortunately) believe it all.

We do hold these people up on a pedestal, hoping that they're saints. And of course they're not. They have as many faults as us common people. It's easy to forget that sometimes.

I'm not sure that I believe in actual justice happening, these days, but if it still exists, Bob will be inducted. Because it's the ONLY right thing to do. And we all know that.

[The Catdancer]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

And I too know that you're frustrated, Wendy. Trying to right the wrongs....

You know, Bob and Christine are my all time favorite members of FM. And I've believed every word you've said about Christine. It was heartbreaking for me to read, but I(unfortunately) believe it all.

We do hold these people up on a pedestal, hoping that they're saints. And of course they're not. They have as many faults as us common people. It's easy to forget that sometimes.

I'm not sure that I believe in actual justice happening, these days, but if it still exists, Bob will be inducted. Because it's the ONLY right thing to do. And we all know that.

I agree with this 100%!

[WatchChain]

Good Gosh! Wendy sure gives the impression that Chris McVie was a tyrant! I did some checking into Bob's feelings on the band. I took another look at his interview with THE PENGUIN (which I'm sure you've all read). This is one of the most candid interviews I've read from Bob. Check it out. Here's a small excerpt:

The "vibeyness" of Mick, John and Chris, all three together, would affect anybody who was in FM...This would be totally separate and apart from any problems that Stevie and Lindsey, for example, were having between themselves as a "couple". Don't forget too, a band is not just a group of friends, but also a business, like a sports team with a specific purpose, so there are PROFESSIONAL jealousies and frictions also.

It's my understanding that Stevie and Lindsey were just on a small "retainer" for a trial period when they first joined FM. Mick, John and Chris at that point had the power to "hire and fire" them. As it became obvious through touring, that Stevie and Lindsey were the real "stars" of the reformed band, I'm sure the 'powertripping" got REAL thick. Stevie, from the very first drew enormous attention and got huge press coverage......she was a natural star. Christine, who had a habit of sarcastically "sniping" at ME when she thought I was trying to "ham it up" on stage, REALLY must have given Stevie some s--t for her "melodramatic" stage antics. Yet these same "antics", and the smoky tension between Stevie and Lindsey was what was helping the band get over big time. Christine, although she had more hit singles than Stevie and Lindsey, got far less attention. People also made fun of Stevie for the very things that were so attractive about her as a performer. Stevie was very "gushing" on stage, exactly the opposite from the much more reserved and ('scuse me) "constipated" English members. The "English members" were also always "pulling rank" on the "new" members, constantly subtly reminding them that THEY were the "original" Fleetwood Mac, THEY knew what Fleetwood Mac was all about, THEY would have final say as to what music got kept etc etc.

So Carol, I think that all of this is what Stevie means when she says her "life was made miserable"....Even after all this time, Mick, John and Chris STILL have EMOTIONAL control over the band. THEY are the true "prima donnas", NOT Stevie or Lindsey in my opinion...

As far as "fun", even in prison, you occasionally have "fun", and of course there were fun times in the S&L band... but the OVERALL vibe was..... miserable and......TENSE. And IN-tense...

Carol, I probably have a ton of "Stevie' stories, but lemme save SOMETHING for my book ! ;-)

[Wendy Welch]

Well, there you have it in Bob's own words. Now please tell me you believe me and Bob. As I have said he is the most honest, good natured human being I have ever known in my life. So here it is in his own words. So please quit doubting what I have offered to you over and above this. I care only about Bob's legacy and the true history of Bob Welch, which he deserves not to be deleted from.