What band has the most similar story to Fleetwood Mac?

Villavic · #1 03-24-2013, 06:45 PM

Rolling Stone said Fleetwood Mac was the lovingest fightingest druggingest band of the 70s. What band has a similar story? Band from any time. Of course it has to be a band with men and women, to fit in the fighting and loving thing. Abba were couples, but I don't think they fighted like FM. They just divorced and after 2 albums they broke up forever.

Don't know much the story of Mamas & Papas, is it similar? I just remember bands with just one couple (or just one woman) within it. However Culture Club fits in the loving fighting drugging couple stuff too.

Dragonfly · #2 03-24-2013, 07:30 PM

Abba and The Mamas and Papas were the two that first sprung to mind.

I suppose if you're talking about there being multiple singer-songwriters, then The Eagles are another.

If you put all three together you might get close

I'msoAfraid95 · #3 03-24-2013, 07:52 PM

Maybe Heart?

AbbiJoy78 · #4 03-25-2013, 11:13 AM

ABBA put out exactly 8 studio albums while together, before ending. And even then, they never "officially" broke up. However they repeatedly have said in the past few years they will "never" get back together. Yes, they were two married couples at one time or another, but their image was far too squeaky-clean if compared to FM, as they didn't have the drug and alcohol reputation and mainly appealed to the "tween" category. The other similarity to Fleetwood Mac, would be that they had 3 people who would sing lead in their songs: 2 different women (Agnetha and Frida) and one man (Bjorn). However, all songs were written by the 2 men in the group. But what I like about Fleetwood Mac -- with having 3 different singers, and in having male and female leads --is also what I enjoy about ABBA. If you get bored of one particular sound, there are so many other styles of songs, when you have someone else singing the lead

.

TheWILDheart · #5 03-25-2013, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AbbiJoy78

ABBA put out exactly 8 studio albums while together, before ending. And even then, they never "officially" broke up. However they repeatedly have said in the past few years they will "never" get back together. Yes, they were two married couples at one time or another, but their image was far too squeaky-clean if compared to FM, as they didn't have the drug and alcohol reputation and mainly appealed to the "tween" category. The other similarity to Fleetwood Mac, would be that they had 3 people who would sing lead in their songs: 2 different women (Agnetha and Frida) and one man (Bjorn). However, all songs were written by the 2 men in the group. But what I like about Fleetwood Mac -- with having 3 different singers, and in having male and female leads --is also what I enjoy about ABBA. If you get bored of one particular sound, there are so many other styles of songs, when you have someone else singing the lead

.

I love your Abba knowledge

Just further to the points above, the seperation of Abba members came as quite a shock to the general public. At the time of the first divorce between Bjorn and Agnetha, Abba were 8 years into their career's already and at the height of their fame. Fleetwood Mac, at the time of "Rumours" were really only 1 album into mainstream success outside the UK and were already famous for line up changes and arguments between members.

Agnetha and Bjorns divorce came as a shock to everyone - even those who were close friends and colleagues of the band. Michael Tretow and Tom Ladin have both stated in the past that there were no signs of tension, no fighting backstage or in the studio, and all members remained completely professional throughout the whole period.

The biggest comparison is, of course, in the music. Both Abba and Fleetwood Mac used their music to express their sadness. For Abba, it was in songs like "The Winner Takes It All", "One Of Us" and (one of my favourites) "When All Is Said And Done". Although Bjorn has stated that lyrically, these songs were not directly about either divorces, they all stemed from those feelings that came with it. Frida has also stated how proud she is of this period, because it gave the band a real chance to put their emotions into what they were performing. But I think the comparison ends there.

Bryan · #6 03-25-2013, 03:31 PM

Bucks Fizz! About a thousand lineups and legal battles to get the rights to the name,hating each other,loving each other,breaking up/making up ,& with some good tunes produced along the way and it's STILL going HAhaha

aleuzzi · #7 03-25-2013, 08:38 PM

I know this sounds bizarre, but Pink Floyd's story has some remarkable similarities to Mac's. Original Member/Musical Visionary leads band for the first few years to the top of the British charts but then, at the height of the band's popularity, drops out of the game. The band makes a series of musically rewarding yet somewhat scattershot records as it tries to find its identity and build a new audience for itself without the former leader. Then, after several trials, comes up with a masterpiece. The masterpiece is followed by other adventurous masterpieces, though the success of the breakout album follows the band everywhere and functions as the standard by with all the band's other musical projects are judged.

By the early 80s the band fragments and reunites periodically across several years. Each reunion is financially successful yet there is an air of nostalgia that permeates its more recent work.

Villavic · #8 03-26-2013, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWILDheart

Although Bjorn has stated that lyrically, these songs were not directly about either divorces, they all stemed from those feelings that came with it. Frida has also stated how proud she is of this period, because it gave the band a real chance to put their emotions into what they were performing. But I think the comparison ends there.

I think one more comparision was Christine retirement with Agnetha's. Ok, far different both context, cause Abba broke up completely and Christine went out from a band still in activity, buy her retirement to her house in the english country is like Agnetha's retirement in Sweden, where she likes just to walk and doesn't sing anymore. Both had a few solo works and that was it. Though Agnetha's retirement was even more silent, that she was compared to Greta Garbo when she left the movies and never gave any interview.

TrueFaith77 · #9 03-26-2013, 01:22 AM

The new New Order album Lost Sirens feels like it chronicles the "break up" of Barney and Hooky (with Hooky eventually leaving the band).

AbbiJoy78 · #10 03-26-2013, 10:12 AM

For those of you speaking about ABBA: Agnetha may seem to have gone into retirement, but you may be pleasantly surprised to know she has a NEW solo album coming out May 13, in English, simply titled "A". Aside from her 2004 solo album of cover songs, this is her first album since 1987! You can find details on Amazon.

I think there are many fans of both ABBA and Fleetwood Mac, I know I am!

I'msoAfraid95 · #11 03-26-2013, 10:36 AM

I must be one of the few who don't like ABBA.

BombaySapphire3 · #12 03-26-2013, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AbbiJoy78

For those of you speaking about ABBA: Agnetha may seem to have gone into retirement, but you may be pleasantly surprised to know she has a NEW solo album coming out May 13, in English, simply titled "A". Aside from her 2004 solo album of cover songs, this is her first album since 1987! You can find details on Amazon.

I think there are many fans of both ABBA and Fleetwood Mac, I know I am!

There has been a thread in the chitchat forum with a link to the video of Agnetha's new single for awhile now.I have heard two songs off of the new album and they are great pop songs and her voice sounds the same as ever.I think this is going to be her best album so far.

Villavic · #13 03-26-2013, 11:05 AM

And following the comparision let's hope Christine will release another solo album some day!

TheWILDheart · #14 03-26-2013, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BombaySapphire3

There has been a thread in the chitchat forum with a link to the video of Agnetha's new single for awhile now.I have heard two songs off of the new album and they are great pop songs and her voice sounds the same as ever.I think this is going to be her best album so far.

I actually really love a lot of Agnetha and Frida's solo stuff. Agnetha's albums were a tad patchy, with her pre-Abba swedish albums being probably her best. However, her 1987 album "I Stand Alone" was brilliant.

Both of Frida's post-Abba English solo albums, "Somethings Going On" and "Shine" are fantastic 80's rock albums (the first being produced by Phil Collins) and her 1996 Swedish album "Djupa andetag" is a masterpiece!

I'm really looking forward to Agnetha's new album - both of the tracks I've heard are instant pop gems!

PenguinHead · #15 03-26-2013, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragonfly

Abba and The Mamas and Papas were the two that first sprung to mind.

I suppose if you're talking about there being multiple singer-songwriters, then The Eagles are another.

If you put all three together you might get close

The Mamas and Papas are a good example because their complex interpersonal relationships between men and females were similar, and in many ways a precursor the drama that would ensue with Fleetwood Mac.

One example:

John Phillips was the group's Lindsey and pretty much ran the show.

Cass Elliot was in love with Denny Dorherty.

Michelle Phillips, married to John, screws with Gene Clark from the Byrds, then with Denny.

Cass is pissed off, and Michelle is fired from the band.

Several months later, Michelle successfully argues her way back in the band.