Should Stevie have left the Mac with Lindsey in the 80s?

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by KarmaContestant

I too have heard her say this. In fact I have the audio clips on my PC. I don't understand why so many people think Mick made this story up? He may get his dates and stories a little mixed up now and then, but he did put something like 8 million worth of cocaine up his nose so I can forgive him for a few inaccuracies. I just don't believe Mick would make up something that dramatic, and then Stevie in turn say it herself.

In my esp. around here, people just refuse to believe either LB or SN can ever do anything wrong. They sort of get into camps and never budge So be it

[Kelly]

I totally think that ugly incident happened. I just don't happen to believe that LB was entirely to blame. I think Miss Stevie is quite capable of pushing buttons when she wants to and who knows how that whole incident played out leading up to the physical confrontation. Stevie also has said she ran and attacked him first. So...it is upsetting when people who were not there try to say exactly what happened and who is to blame. My own opinion is they probably are both to blame...they both contributed and it got ugly. Stevie went an apologized to LB for what Mick wrote in his book too. Obviously if she is telling him "god I am sorry he wrote that" she really feels bad that the incident was put out there like that. Maybe because he is the only one painted as the bad guy in the book?

The klonopin thing is a sad situation and I am just thankful she got off it. I do think she perhaps feels uncomfortable talking about exactly how and why she was prescribed the drug. It is her business. Maybe her family really was worried and that is the ONLY reason why. I tend to think with her nervous problems etc..there might have been more to it but that is just my opinion.

[catinthedark]

I've just finally read this whole thread - interesting points and discussion.

I do believe Stevie was naive about coke when she started taking it. She was young, and she probably had people all around her telling her it would help her get through the day, that it was just a little boost, that using just this much wasn't dangerous - it's not like you're Janis or something - and she trusted them and she did it. And, by God, it did help her get through the day. The trouble is, once you're in an addiction, you don't have the presence of mind to say, "I am addicted, I need help." You are just concentrating on your next hit.

As to the klonipin, I agree with this:

Originally Posted by Rumour0323

I think when Lindsey left the band Stevie had a nervous breakdown. She has mentioned in the past that she considers *this* to be the time that they really broke up... and I personally feel that she just took a nosedive. She hadn't been prepared for him to leave the band and when he not only left the band... but walked out of her life altogether.....I think it devastated her.

It may well be that at this point, the people around her had to really work to convince her to go to a psychiatrist, and the way they convinced her may have been by using the "we are worried you're going to go back on coke" ruse. I can tell you, when you see a friend or family member in desperate need of help, sometimes you will say anything to get them to accept the help. So that's what they told Stevie, and while I don't purport to know much about psychiatry, it does certainly sound, from Stevie's own descriptions, that she was in a deep depression for many years. Not going out, weight gain, loss of interest (loss of enchantment), loss of creativity, etc. all symptoms of depression. I think she was put on the klonipin, and very likely, she had people around her who just brought her the drug - she may not have been going to see her psychiatrist every week. She was a "star" afterall - I'm not saying that is right, but it could well have been the situation. I find it absolutely infuriating that some doctor did keep her on klonipin for 8 years. I hope that doctor has been sued for malpractice.

I applaud and admire her for getting through that time and coming out so brilliantly on the other side. And I don't think she should say anymore about that time than she feels comfortable saying. Recovery is a long process - part of that recovery often includes talking about the experience. She has, over the years, revealed a little bit more, and a little bit more. There may well be gaps she doesn't remember much about - or there may just be times or experiences she doesn't care to share with her fans. And that's fine by me. I don't think she's being dishonest; I think she's protecting her own soul.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by KarmaContestant

I too have heard her say this. In fact I have the audio clips on my PC. I don't understand why so many people think Mick made this story up? He may get his dates and stories a little mixed up now and then, but he did put something like 8 million worth of cocaine up his nose so I can forgive him for a few inaccuracies. I just don't believe Mick would make up something that dramatic, and then Stevie in turn say it herself.

Stevie also said that she attacked him first physically, so who knows what really happened.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by Kelly

I totally think that ugly incident happened. I just don't happen to believe that LB was entirely to blame. I think Miss Stevie is quite capable of pushing buttons when she wants to and who knows how that whole incident played out leading up to the physical confrontation. Stevie also has said she ran and attacked him first. So...it is upsetting when people who were not there try to say exactly what happened and who is to blame. My own opinion is they probably are both to blame...they both contributed and it got ugly. Stevie went an apologized to LB for what Mick wrote in his book too. Obviously if she is telling him "god I am sorry he wrote that" she really feels bad that the incident was put out there like that. Maybe because he is the only one painted as the bad guy in the book?

I don't excuse Lindsey's behavior if he did hit her because no man should ever lay their hand on a woman, but I do think that whole book was simply vicious towards him. If she apologized for anything, I'm sure she apologized for the way he was portrayed throughout it. Fleetwood trashed him from here to there, donwplaying his contributions to the band, making him sound like an incessantly petulant brat, etc, while kissing the collective asses of everyone else. I don't doubt that Lindsey was a petulant little brat, but you'd think that he would be a little more kind (or at least say some kind things with the bad) about the guy that essentially formed the sound of the band. Instead, we got Fleetwood's sour grapes put down on paper. And who really knows what to believe in that ****ty book, he's even admitted to putting information about his own father in there that wasn't even true; not to mention the fact that he had been living in a drug-induced stupor for nearly fifteen years.

[trackaghost]

Originally Posted by dissention

I don't excuse Lindsey's behavior if he did hit her because no man should ever lay their hand on a woman, but I do think that whole book was simply vicious towards him. If she apologized for anything, I'm sure she apologized for the way he was portrayed throughout it. Fleetwood trashed him from here to there, donwplaying his contributions to the band, making him sound like an incessantly petulant brat, etc, while kissing the collective asses of everyone else. I don't doubt that Lindsey was a petulant little brat, but you'd think that he would be a little more kind (or at least say some kind things with the bad) about the guy that essentially formed the sound of the band. Instead, we got Fleetwood's sour grapes put down on paper. And who really knows what to believe in that ****ty book, he's even admitted to putting information about his own father in there that wasn't even true; not to mention the fact that he had been living in a drug-induced stupor for nearly fifteen years.

I totally agree, If you knew nothing about Lindsey you'd come away after reading that book hating him IMO and none the wiser to his genius or huge contribution to the band. Sure he was a brat but they worked with him for 12 years, he couldn't have been that bad.
Mick's book is an enjoyable read but I take everything he says with a grain of salt.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

I totally agree, If you knew nothing about Lindsey you'd come away after reading that book hating him IMO and none the wiser to his genius or huge contribution to the band. Sure he was a brat but they worked with him for 12 years, he couldn't have been that bad.

And he turned a solo album into a Mac project. He surely couldn't have been as bad as Mick made him out to be.

Originally Posted by trackaghost

Mick's book is an enjoyable read but I take everything he says with a grain of salt.

I went through a few salt shakers, myself.

[GypsySorcerer]

Originally Posted by Kelly

I totally think that ugly incident happened. I just don't happen to believe that LB was entirely to blame. I think Miss Stevie is quite capable of pushing buttons when she wants to and who knows how that whole incident played out leading up to the physical confrontation. Stevie also has said she ran and attacked him first. So...it is upsetting when people who were not there try to say exactly what happened and who is to blame. My own opinion is they probably are both to blame...they both contributed and it got ugly. Stevie went an apologized to LB for what Mick wrote in his book too. Obviously if she is telling him "god I am sorry he wrote that" she really feels bad that the incident was put out there like that. Maybe because he is the only one painted as the bad guy in the book?

The klonopin thing is a sad situation and I am just thankful she got off it. I do think she perhaps feels uncomfortable talking about exactly how and why she was prescribed the drug. It is her business. Maybe her family really was worried and that is the ONLY reason why. I tend to think with her nervous problems etc..there might have been more to it but that is just my opinion.

While I don't doubt some altercation happened, I think Mick's account is embellished, and as you point out, places the blame on Lindsey. I think Mick knew whoever bought his book would flip right to the back pages to find out why Lindsey left the band. His description is comical. When I read it, I pictured Stevie chasing Lindsey around Christine's yard. Thank God they didn't turn Mick's book into a movie.

[David]

Originally Posted by dissention

And he turned a solo album into a Mac project.

I don't know whether Stevie should have left the group in 1981, but I do know she should have released a live album in 1983. She really blew it big time.

[chiliD]

Originally Posted by dissention

And he turned a solo album into a Mac project.

Actually, THREE TIMES now.

1) He was pondering leaving the band before the Tusk sessions; and, according to some interviews, pretty much considers his portions of the album as "my first solo album"
2) Gave up work on his 3rd solo album for Tango In The Night
3) Melded Gift Of Screws into Say You Will

[chiliD]

Originally Posted by David

I don't know whether Stevie should have left the group in 1981, but I do know she should have released a live album in 1983. She really blew it big time.

If they'd really mixed up their set lists (both solo AND as a group) from tour to tour, I'd say they should release a live album after EVERY tour. But, in retrospect, that would be really redundant (except the tours when they had new personnel). Just look at the duplication between Live (1980) and The Dance and they were 17 years apart!!

But, yeah, 1983 would've been a great time for Stevie to release a solo live album...a DOUBLE live album.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by David

I don't know whether Stevie should have left the group in 1981, but I do know she should have released a live album in 1983. She really blew it big time.

She just would have gone into the studio to redub vocals, anyway, so I'm glad we didn't get one. It would have been a pale imitation of a real live album, much like The Dance.

[trackaghost]

Originally Posted by chiliD

But, yeah, 1983 would've been a great time for Stevie to release a solo live album...a DOUBLE live album.

God I wish she had too. What a wasted opportunity.

[Rumour0323]

This isn't the entire quote I was thinking of but at least this will redeem me to some extent. I knew that I had read somewhere that Stevie did in fact call Lindsey after "that day" and asked him, what he wanted her to do. Did he want her to leave too? Did he want to do another BN? I will keep looking for this one, but here is a small quote from another site that a friend of mine found for me....(Thanks Ang )

Creem 9/87
(Stevie was recently asking him on the phone if he’d like to do another Buckingham/Nicks album)"You just don’t usually have to do that sort of thing-to break up with someone and then see them for the next 12 years. That’s just not normal…it’s not even very well. It’s sort of an ill thing to have to do, but what the hell. I’ve gotta tell you, the last 12 years, I think I’ve probably blocked out some of the more painful aspects. It seems like a big, long dream from which I’m just now awakening. I feel younger now that I have in years. I feel more new than I have in years. It’s a surreal thing, on that mega level. It’s gonna be a good year."

[sodascouts]

Originally Posted by chiliD

Actually, THREE TIMES now.

1) He was pondering leaving the band before the Tusk sessions; and, according to some interviews, pretty much considers his portions of the album as "my first solo album"
2) Gave up work on his 3rd solo album for Tango In The Night
3) Melded Gift Of Screws into Say You Will

I understand it for Tusk and TITN, but when he used it for SYW I had to roll my eyes. He had 6 years in between 1997 and 2003 to release the songs he had created c. 1995, yet he didn't do so. Then, he starts griping about having to give them up for FM. Come on. Lindsey tries my patience sometimes.