Rolling Stone Bekka Interview

[HomerMcvie]

Apparently, the ENTIRE WORLD hates Dave Mason.

I think it's awesome that Christine was so nice to her.

[Mr Scarrott]

What a great interview. It's a shame there hasn't been much more from her about her experiences with FM since 1995. I quite liked this answer. "These Strange Times" was a pretty apt title for a song on an album like "Time" and I'm glad it made it onto it. No wonder Mick himself ended up playing guitar on it!

It’s nice that you and Mick Fleetwood are still tight.

When we did the Time record, I was the little tiny baby penguin poking out of the shell [on the cover]. That’s me, he said. The penguin is their spirit animal. It’s just a big white album with a tiny penguin poking out of the egg. “That’s Bekka!” Isn’t that lame? But it’s cool.

Anyway, there was this one song that everyone f*ckn’ fought against him. Mick said to me, “Nobody let me do any of my songs on any of these records.” I was like, “What now? Say what? Did you just say that? What now, Mick?” He said, “Ain’t none of my songs on here. They never let me do a song I did myself.”

And he wrote a song called “These Strange Times.” I fought for it. Christine wouldn’t do it. They wouldn’t do it. Billy is always Switzerland. Dashut didn’t know what to do. So we went literally across the street and cut this thing, and then we got Lucy to go “Daddy, Daddy.” It’s called “These Strange Times.” It’s the last song on the record.

Anyway, I’m sitting here in Nashville now. He’s sitting over there in Maui. I said to him a few years ago, “You should put that song out again, dude.” He goes, “Let’s redo it, me and you.” I said, “I’m here.” He got Rick Vito to play guitar on it. He got a great band. I sang 12 languages on it. It came out a couple of years ago.

[Penguin Emeritus]

Originally Posted by Mr Scarrott

What a great interview. It's a shame there hasn't been much more from her about her experiences with FM since 1995. I quite liked this answer. "These Strange Times" was a pretty apt title for a song on an album like "Time" and I'm glad it made it onto it. No wonder Mick himself ended up playing guitar on it!

It’s nice that you and Mick Fleetwood are still tight.

When we did the Time record, I was the little tiny baby penguin poking out of the shell [on the cover]. That’s me, he said. The penguin is their spirit animal. It’s just a big white album with a tiny penguin poking out of the egg. “That’s Bekka!” Isn’t that lame? But it’s cool.

Anyway, there was this one song that everyone f*ckn’ fought against him. Mick said to me, “Nobody let me do any of my songs on any of these records.” I was like, “What now? Say what? Did you just say that? What now, Mick?” He said, “Ain’t none of my songs on here. They never let me do a song I did myself.”

And he wrote a song called “These Strange Times.” I fought for it. Christine wouldn’t do it. They wouldn’t do it. Billy is always Switzerland. Dashut didn’t know what to do. So we went literally across the street and cut this thing, and then we got Lucy to go “Daddy, Daddy.” It’s called “These Strange Times.” It’s the last song on the record.

Anyway, I’m sitting here in Nashville now. He’s sitting over there in Maui. I said to him a few years ago, “You should put that song out again, dude.” He goes, “Let’s redo it, me and you.” I said, “I’m here.” He got Rick Vito to play guitar on it. He got a great band. I sang 12 languages on it. It came out a couple of years ago.

Bekka didn't mention it, maybe she didn't know but John was against that song also. On ebay awhile back there had been a letter from Mick to John written on hotel stationary asking him to rethink why he (Mick) who had always supported what others in the band wanted to do could not have the chance to maybe put out an idea of his own, something along those lines.

Apparently John objected to the mention of God in that song, and Mick was trying to explain how it was all about his individual struggles and journey, not supposed to be any sort of religious preaching by using that word. (I wonder if chris felt the same as john...?)

it was like 3/4 of the letter and i remember i felt kind of bad for mick, having to
beg to get one of his ideas on the album. it was actually a nice letter.

but i guess in the end he won everybody over.

--Lis

[Mr Scarrott]

Originally Posted by Penguin Emeritus

Bekka didn't mention it, maybe she didn't know but John was against that song also. On ebay awhile back there had been a letter from Mick to John written on hotel stationary asking him to rethink why he (Mick) who had always supported what others in the band wanted to do could not have the chance to maybe put out an idea of his own, something along those lines.

Apparently John objected to the mention of God in that song, and Mick was trying to explain how it was all about his individual struggles and journey, not supposed to be any sort of religious preaching by using that word. (I wonder if chris felt the same as john...?)

it was like 3/4 of the letter and i remember i felt kind of bad for mick, having to
beg to get one of his ideas on the album. it was actually a nice letter.

but i guess in the end he won everybody over.

--Lis

Oh, that is interesting, thanks Lis. The "God is nowhere, God is now here" thing is a bit banal, I think, however. If you look at the credits for "These Strange Times" only Mick and Bekka from the band are listed as performing on it- no John so maybe that tells us something. I had always wondered why that was.

[Macfan4life]

This was a great interview. I did not realize what a mover and shaker she was. She dated Ritchie Sambora at his prime in the late 80s is all you need to know. Ritchie dated Heather Locklear in the 90s and they were the power couple. For her to date him when he could have any woman in the world tells you everything you need to know.

A few themes keep popping up. The drinking was really bad. It was shocking to learn from Billy that the Beach Boys fired Fleetwood Mac from their tour because of Mick and Billy's drunken antics. But she says she was drunk most of the time too. Mick puking in buckets says much.

Everyone still walking on eggshells with Stevie. Chris personally gives her permission and encouragement to do her songs live. Yet Christine warns her about doing some Steive signature songs. For the love of GOD, here we go again. It almost feels like Buck/Vie not calling their album Fleetwood Mac.

Mick treats everyone as disposable for his personal monetary gain. He needed her but then saw bigger bucks without her and fired her. Sounds like Lindsey's firing too.

There was a Dance interview with Stevie where she is asked about Bekka and Stevie puts on the record she was concerned they were going to perform her songs.

Stevie accusing someone of over singing is funny. Bekka should have responded that at least she remembers the lyrics to her songs

Good that Pat Benatar was so nice to her. Sadly Stevie was not.

I wish we still could get the context of that photo of Stevie on stage with her in Nashville posted here years ago.

A few interesting tid bits in her repeatedly referring to Stevie not being well. Was the band just making time (pardon the pun) until Stevie was well enough to come back. Was the Dance delayed because of Stevie's well being? Is this the reason Chris warned Bekka about Stevie songs because she knew they would all have to deal with Stevie again. Hmmmm.

What Chris wanted to say:

Chris: Look Bekka, Stevie is very sensitive and psycho just like Lindsey said. Its not smart to sing Stevie songs. You look better than her and can sing better than her. Mick needs her back so he can get out of bankruptcy again.
Bekka: I am sorry, I will not offend anyone. I just want to sing.
Chris: Yes darling but we are the ones that will have to deal with the aftermath. Sing my songs all you want and sing them with heart.
Bekka: Thanks Chris. That means so much to me.
Chris: Please watch playing that tambourine. Just make sure to always play the beat and not off beat otherwise Stevie will accuse you of copying her trademark.
Bekka: God help me. What did I get myself into.

[Mr Scarrott]

Fwiw, Rolling Stone had "Time" at number 37 (out of 50) in its "Genuinely horrible records by brilliant artists" list a few weeks ago.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/m...-6-1234674918/

Fleetwood Mac
'Time'
1995
Lindsey Buckingham’s decision to quit Fleetwood Mac after the release of 1987’s Tango in the Night was a major blow to the band, but they were able to limp forward, cut 1990’s Behind the Mask, and tour successfully behind it. But things got tricky a couple of years later when Stevie Nicks decided she wanted out too. That was probably the right time to simply put Fleetwood Mac on hiatus, but Mick Fleetwood decided to soldier ahead by bringing in Bekka Bramlett — the 27-year-old daughter of early Seventies duo Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett — to take on the Nicks role. Obviously, this was a hopelessly doomed endeavor. The album from this lineup is 1995’s Time, which does feature a few solid Christine McVie songs like “I Do” and “All Over Again.” But this is Fleetwood Mac in name only, and the material isn’t nearly strong enough to justify its existence.

[Villavic]

Originally Posted by Mr Scarrott

But this is Fleetwood Mac in name only, .

I agree. I remember many disagreed with this, but I still think it wasn't a true Fleetwood Mac band.

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by Mr Scarrott

Fwiw, Rolling Stone had "Time" at number 37 (out of 50) in its "Genuinely horrible records by brilliant artists" list a few weeks ago.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/m...-6-1234674918/

Fleetwood Mac
'Time'
1995
Lindsey Buckingham’s decision to quit Fleetwood Mac after the release of 1987’s Tango in the Night was a major blow to the band, but they were able to limp forward, cut 1990’s Behind the Mask, and tour successfully behind it. But things got tricky a couple of years later when Stevie Nicks decided she wanted out too. That was probably the right time to simply put Fleetwood Mac on hiatus, but Mick Fleetwood decided to soldier ahead by bringing in Bekka Bramlett — the 27-year-old daughter of early Seventies duo Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett — to take on the Nicks role. Obviously, this was a hopelessly doomed endeavor. The album from this lineup is 1995’s Time, which does feature a few solid Christine McVie songs like “I Do” and “All Over Again.” But this is Fleetwood Mac in name only, and the material isn’t nearly strong enough to justify its existence.

That's completely unfair of them. Because it could be said of any lineup change post Peter Green.

Sounds like they're afraid of offending the old goat, too.

[bwboy]

I wish we still could get the context of that photo of Stevie on stage with her in Nashville posted here years ago.

A few interesting tid bits in her repeatedly referring to Stevie not being well. Was the band just making time (pardon the pun) until Stevie was well enough to come back. Was the Dance delayed because of Stevie's well being? [/QUOTE]

I was curious about that picture, too. As far as Stevie not being well at that time, I think that was BS that Mick may have told Bekka. I’m sure Mick always held out hope that Stevie, and maybe Lindsey, would return to FM at some point, so what better way to cover his bases than to tell Bekka “of course you’re a member of FM…. at least until Stevie returns.” I don’t recall anyone here ever saying Stevie wasn’t well during that period. She left FM because BTM didn’t sell like gangbusters and she was mad at Mick about his book and Silver Springs. It wasn’t “I’m sick and need time off to rest.”

[bombaysaffires]

Originally Posted by bwboy

I wish we still could get the context of that photo of Stevie on stage with her in Nashville posted here years ago.

A few interesting tid bits in her repeatedly referring to Stevie not being well. Was the band just making time (pardon the pun) until Stevie was well enough to come back. Was the Dance delayed because of Stevie's well being?

I was curious about that picture, too. As far as Stevie not being well at that time, I think that was BS that Mick may have told Bekka. I’m sure Mick always held out hope that Stevie, and maybe Lindsey, would return to FM at some point, so what better way to cover his bases than to tell Bekka “of course you’re a member of FM…. at least until Stevie returns.” I don’t recall anyone here ever saying Stevie wasn’t well during that period. She left FM because BTM didn’t sell like gangbusters and she was mad at Mick about his book and Silver Springs. It wasn’t “I’m sick and need time off to rest.”[/QUOTE]

I was assuming this was about her getting off Klonopin....

[jmn3]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

Apparently, the ENTIRE WORLD hates Dave Mason.

I think it's awesome that Christine was so nice to her.

LOL yeah I caught that too. She despised him. EVERYONE does!

[Villavic]

Four years to record Rumours? I never knew they started to record it before meeting Stevie and Lindsey.

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by Villavic

Four years to record Rumours? I never knew they started to record it before meeting Stevie and Lindsey.

Exactly. That's some Stevie Nicks School of Mathematics stuff.

I'm sure it felt like 4 years, though.

[aleuzzi]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

Exactly. That's some Stevie Nicks School of Mathematics stuff.

I'm sure it felt like 4 years, though.

I got the sense Bekka was remembering the exact words Richard said, but that he said them as hyperbole. She rambles a lot and some context gets lost for sure. Or: maybe she stinks at math!

[aleuzzi]

My overall impression is that Bekka is an authentic person—an honest, often messy, sometimes dysfunctional person. I believe what she says about Mick, Billy, Christine, and Stevie. And I believe that her impression of Bob Welch at that time is accurate.

The Jani story was brutal. In fact, Bekka can claim to have lived through and witnessed some pretty rough times.

Belinda Carlisle as a mean girl—I’m not surprised. Pat and Neil as down-to-earth and warm. No surprises there, either.

I felt her sadness when she quietly confirmed that she lost the house. How devastated she must have felt.