FLeetwood Mac without Stevie

[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.