Message from Wendy Welch (re: BW RRHOF induction)

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

BECAUSE he was suing them over royalties(at the time) that they hadn't paid him!

Yes, right. But it looks like Wendy is also trying to suggest a deeper antagonism and saying that Christine was jealous of Bob's solo album success, which seems unlikely.

If she didn't want him in the RRHOF, I think it was probably because she thought he falsely accused her of cheating him, not because she wished she'd enjoyed the solo success he had. That claim seems rather spurious, especially when you consider the timing. Bob's last solo success came in 1979. How is it likely that she would be bummed that her album didn't do as well as his when hers came out years after? "Man, I'm sure fuming because Gotta Hold On Me and my album have tanked and I cannot reach the heights Bob attained five years ago!" Why would she even think to compare her solo efforts to his, when his peak was long over by that time? It's not like Christine rushed to put out her own album to try to compete with him. She only did a second solo album because of the break in FM action. I don't think solo success was an aspiration of hers. Although we do know that she admitted minding never having a number 1 single ala dreams.

I don't think she thought solo success was favorable to success within the band. I think it is more probable she might only be envious if, for instance, she had never had a single within FM that did as well as Ebony Eyes. But turns out, she did have one or, er, two.

Michele

[wetcamelfood]

Originally Posted by michelej1

Yes, right. But it looks like Wendy is also trying to suggest a deeper antagonism and saying that Christine was jealous of Bob's solo album success, which seems unlikely.

If she didn't want him in the RRHOF, I think it was probably because she thought he falsely accused her of cheating him, not because she wished she'd enjoyed the solo success he had. That claim seems rather spurious, especially when you consider the timing. Bob's last solo success came in 1979. How is it likely that she would be bummed that her album didn't do as well as his when hers came out years after? "Man, I'm sure fuming because Gotta Hold On Me and my album have tanked and I cannot reach the heights Bob attained five years ago!" Why would she even think to compare her solo efforts to his, when his peak was long over by that time? It's not like Christine rushed to put out her own album to try to compete with him. She only did a second solo album because of the break in FM action. I don't think solo success was an aspiration of hers. Although we do know that she admitted minding never having a number 1 single ala dreams.

I don't think she thought solo success was favorable to success within the band. I think it is more probable she might only be envious if, for instance, she had never had a single within FM that did as well as Ebony Eyes. But turns out, she did have one or, er, two.

Michele

Agreed, and re: the bolded, it's not like GAHOM did nothing, it still made top 10, how can that not be "good enough"?

John

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by wetcamelfood

Agreed, and re: the bolded, it's not like GAHOM did nothing, it still made top 10, how can that not be "good enough"?

John

Plus, Bob (and Wendy) weren't in England and he might not have been aware of this, but I'd Rather Go Blind wasn't exactly a failure, even if the Legendary album as a whole wasn't a hit.

Obviously, while I understand Christine's anger with Bob, if I had been Wendy in 1998, I would have been furious with and deeply hurt by Christine at the time and I see where she's coming from. But at this point it's time to let it go. You don't have to forget or forgive, but maybe stop posting things that don't make a lot of sense.

Michele

[aleuzzi]

I entirely doubt the veracity of Wendy's post. While it is likely Christine resented Bob for suing the band, I don't think her opinion in and of itself would make or break the decision of the RRHOF not to include him. Even if Bob had posted this I would have questioned its accuracy.

Moreover, I don't think she cared a hoot how much or little her 1984 album sold in comparison with French Kiss, which only sold as well as it did because it was riding the wave of Rumours. I love Bob's music, I love his contribution to the Mac. I am just trying to keep it real: she had no reason whatsoever to be jealous of him.

If Bob released French Kiss in 1984, it would have sold 74 copies.

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

Moreover, I don't think she cared a hoot how much or little her 1984 album sold in comparison with French Kiss, which only sold as well as it did because it was riding the wave of Rumours.

Entirely true and I don't claim to be objective, but Christine's beautiful back up vocals made Sentimental Lady the highlight of the album for me.

Well, the truth is, Bob could be a little controversial in his postings too. Maybe exaggerated a bit and Wendy seems to be like him. You just have to choose what to believe and not believe.

Michele

[HomerMcvie]

Well we know it was always a point of contention with Bob, not being inducted. AS WELL IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. "We" who know the entire history of the band, know how important he was to the history. The FM that went on to sell millions and millions, that incarnation of the band, probably would have never seen the light of day, if it weren't for the 5 albums during the Welch years.
"Bob Welch saved Fleetwood Mac" - Mick Fleetwood
He sustained them during terrible times, really....DO YOU GUYS think they would have survived those years, without him? I mean maybe, but maybe not...
If not, none of us would have the fandom of the BIG lineup, and whatever impact FM's music has had on our lives. We wouldn't be HERE, that's for sure.
Keeping him out of RRHOF was downright criminal, IMO. And believe me, it breaks my heart to know that MY heroine of FM was the one who insisted on him not being inducted...

[MacShadowsBall]

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

While it is likely Christine resented Bob for suing the band, I don't think her opinion in and of itself would make or break the decision of the RRHOF not to include him.

Originally Posted by GypsySorcerer

I tend to agree. Did Christine really have that much influence/clout?

I wonder if the RRHOF's "reasoning" was if they let Bob in, they'd have to induct Vito, Burnette, Mason, Weston, etc., too. It's just hard for me to believe that Christine was that powerful.

Yeah, this where I stand in this matter also. Interesting point too regarding inducting Vito and other Macsters. It's kinda like inviting friends out to eat or hangout, at what point do you not invite someone?

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

Well we know it was always a point of contention with Bob, not being inducted. AS WELL IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. "We" who know the entire history of the band, know how important he was to the history. The FM that went on to sell millions and millions, that incarnation of the band, probably would have never seen the light of day, if it weren't for the 5 albums during the Welch years.
"Bob Welch saved Fleetwood Mac" - Mick Fleetwood

Even if Christine didn't want him to be included, I don't think she felt he didn't deserve to be in there or that he was not an integral contributor to FM's evolution. I think she felt he did something unjust and she was angry with him about it. Her behavior was about emotion rather than his merit.

So, obviously one could argue that you should separate the two and just because you're mad at someone personally doesn't mean they shouldn't be honored with a career achievement they deserve and that is true cerebrally, but when you're upset, you don't really think like that.

Michele

[redbird]

Is Mrs. Welch getting all her info from Mick? Maybe she doesn't know the whole story (that I'd presume Mick knows) either.

[chiliD]

I just think that Mick caved to Christine's wishes mainly because she was on the verge of retiring and he didn't want to burn that bridge to get her to come back at a future date.

Mick SHOULD have taken the hard stance (that Jerry Garcia did with the Grateful Dead) that it was EVERYBODY or NOBODY. Hence, Donna Jean Godchaux is in the R&RHoF with the Grateful Dead and Bob Welch isn't as a member of Fleetwood Mac. Which member of their respective bands had the greater influence? Get my drift?

[elle]

Originally Posted by redbird

Is Mrs. Welch getting all her info from Mick? Maybe she doesn't know the whole story (that I'd presume Mick knows) either.

that occurred to me too. i'm not sure how reliable or complete the info that Mick's transmitting is, at least in this case.

[GypsySorcerer]

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

While it is likely Christine resented Bob for suing the band, I don't think her opinion in and of itself would make or break the decision of the RRHOF not to include him.

I tend to agree. Did Christine really have that much influence/clout?

I love Bob's music, both solo and with FM, and absolutely believe he should've been inducted, especially since Spencer and Kirwan were included. I wonder if the RRHOF's "reasoning" was if they let Bob in, they'd have to induct Vito, Burnette, Mason, Weston, etc., too. It's just hard for me to believe that Christine was that powerful.

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by GypsySorcerer

I tend to agree. Did Christine really have that much influence/clout?

I love Bob's music, both solo and with FM, and absolutely believe he should've been inducted, especially since Spencer and Kirwan were included. I wonder if the RRHOF's "reasoning" was if they let Bob in, they'd have to induct Vito, Burnette, Mason, Weston, etc. too It's just hard for me to believe that Christine was that powerful.

I think when it came to the induction ceremony(I'm speculating), she just said, "if he's in, I won't be there".
I always knew she was tough, but I guess that if you mess with Christine McVie, you might end up at the bottom of the river, wearing cement boots!

[MikeInNV]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

I think when it came to the induction ceremony(I'm speculating), she just said, "if he's in, I won't be there".

That I can see. But then who actually asked the RRHOF not to induct Bob? I never thought the bands had any say in the induction process. I thought the committee inducted whomever they saw fit. Of course when it comes time for the actual ceremony, who attends, who plays, who speaks, etc. must obviously be hammered out by the band members.