FLeetwood Mac without Stevie

[Little Nicki]

With Fleetwood Mac, yes, one person is not the be all and end all, but with many other bands, the lead singer is. Generally the lead singer writes the songs and if they were to leave, getting another songwriter and vocalist to replace them would be an awfully big pill to swallow. They would be playing different music from a different person with a different voice. That's just about all the ingredients in pop music right there, and if somebody changed that much in my mother's apple pie recipe, it ain't the same pie! So with Stevie, if somebody only likes her songwriting and singing, they aren't fans of the band, but only because there are other singers and songwriters. Since the singer/songwriter dictates the majority of the band's sound, they are automatically a fan of the band as long as there's only the one singer/songwriter. That's my theory and I'm sticking to it.

[SteveMacD]

Originally Posted by Little Nicki

With Fleetwood Mac, yes, one person is not the be all and end all, but with many other bands, the lead singer is.

Great post. Generally speaking, you're right. Though, I love the exceptions to even that rule.

Genesis is an example of a band that was able to move on with the departure of Peter Gabriel, though, oddly enough, it didn't do well after Phil Collins quit. The Byrds are another weird example, in that Roger McGuinn is the only constant, BUT, during all of the eras, there were multiple singer/songwriters.

But, generally speaking, the typical example is like Kurt Cobain's role in Nirvana, where there was no way for the band to survive without him. Though, I have to give Dave Grohl a ton of credit for being able to break through with another band, and having that band develop a completely different sound and vibe. Sometimes I forget the whole Nirvana connection.

As for Fleetwood Mac without Stevie, I think what is being asked is would Mick, John, Lindsey, and Christine have been able to find success as Fleetwood Mac, without Stevie? By 1987, I think they could have made it. Stevie only had one single on "Tango," and it didn't chart as well as the others. I think the band's image would have taken an initial ding, but they could have made it. It's when others were added to the mix that things got weird, at least in the public image.

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

Great post. Generally speaking, you're right. Though, I love the exceptions to even that rule.

Genesis is an example of a band that was able to move on with the departure of Peter Gabriel, though, oddly enough, it didn't do well after Phil Collins quit. The Byrds are another weird example, in that Roger McGuinn is the only constant, BUT, during all of the eras, there were multiple singer/songwriters.



.

I think an even better example is ACDC. They had great sucess with Bon Scott, and even MORE with like the 3rd best selling album of all time in Black in Black when he died. And the thing with them is when I first started getting into them and heard Highway to Hell, Dirty Deeds and TNT next to Back in Black, Hells Bells and Money Talks and couldn't tell it was two different people. Now I can tell, and probably prefer Bon, but its still pretty remarkable with them.

[chiliD]

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

Great post. Generally speaking, you're right. Though, I love the exceptions to even that rule.

The firing of Dickey Betts hasn't hurt the Allman Bros Band...in fact, they've just gotten BETTER with Derek Trucks & Warren Haynes as guitarists (and Haynes as co-lead vocalist to Gregg Allman)

Sammy Hagar taking over lead vocal slot for Van Halen didn't hurt them either, but, when they tried the ex-Extreme singer when Sammy left, it didn't work.

Savoy Brown...lead guitarist Kim Simmonds is the only constant of some 50+ members over the years and he rarely sang a lick...they always had a front man...such as Dave Walker, Jackie Lynton, Stan Webb, or Dave Peverett (and many, many more)...yet they always maintained a constant sound.

[TheWILDheart]

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

Genesis is an example of a band that was able to move on with the departure of Peter Gabriel, though, oddly enough, it didn't do well after Phil Collins quit.

Actually, Calling All Stations hit #2 over here.

[jbrownsjr]

Originally Posted by TheWILDheart

Actually, Calling All Stations hit #2 over here.

I like a lot of the songs on that album.... although it seemed incomplete...

[TheWILDheart]

Originally Posted by jbrownsjr

I like a lot of the songs on that album.... although it seemed incomplete...

Can't say I've heard the album it's self but just my Dad ranting about it. Genesis is more his thing than mine though I don't mind the odd track and LOVE the Land Of Confusion video.