The continuing mystery of the Mac's 1974 tour

[aleuzzi]

Originally Posted by Penguin Emeritus

i could believe mick was willing to do anything to continue... but john knew about the new band and i assume chris did as well. i think the problem arose when they realized they could lose the legal right to the name fleetwood mac? like i don't think they were stressed that another band was out doing their songs but maybe they panicked when it looked like those guys would be able to take/keep the name... and Bob pushed them to do something about it.

--Lis

Yes, Lis. I think your take is right. Mick's account of the fake band in his first book is too fuzzy and selective to take as definitive. And years later, when Davis was auctioning off some of his FM-related memorabilia, he posted an image of a postcard John sent from Hawaii in which he asks Davis how the new band is doing. That's pretty damning for FM's case. It reveals that at least John, Mick, and Christine were aware of the reformation plans. I think the reason Davis backed off is because he got his money from them. They settled around 1976-77, so the band was flush and could pay what they needed upfront. Plus the label was now committed to Mick's band continuing. So, bad luck brought them to near-ruin and good luck brought them out of it.

But I believe Elmer Gantry.

In his book, Mick says when he, John, and Chris arrived in LA they found Bob very pissed off. I can see why. Bob saw that Mick was letting the band be reformed under Davis' supervision, thereby negating all of the work the real FM had put in from Future Games forward. When Davis (in that mid-90s documentary) claimed Bob Welch's ambition was to take control of Fleetwood Mac, I believe he was referring to Welch wrestling the band from Davis' grip. Davis never dug Welch or his tunes and wanted him out. Perhaps he saw this reformation as his chance.

Thank god Welch brought the band to LA. Thank god the label allowed them to record Heroes. Thank god they eventually were able to tour in the U.S..