Isn't it time????

[Gailh]

I agree that she deserves some recognition for her contribution to music over a long period.

However I'm not sure she has ever really been a role model for female musicians, at least not overtly.

Has anyone ever named Christine as their role model? (genuine question)

Gail

[macfan 57]

I remember in an interview that Christine said she's a big supporter of the royal family & loves everything about royalty. I'll bet she'd be thrilled if she were to ever get this honour.

[nicepace]

I completely agree with Gypsysoul about Christine's pioneering role as a woman musician. She was probably the first woman to sing, write songs, AND play an instrument in a band, as an equal among equals with the men in the band.

If other female musicians in rock and pop don't acknowledge that she was a trail blazer, that's simply a testament to Christine's modesty and lack of interest in personal stardom. She just never cared about promoting herself above the band she was in.

She also probably wouldn't care about pursuing an award like this, but I think she would graciously accept it if it were offered.

[Gailh]

Originally Posted by nicepace

I completely agree with Gypsysoul about Christine's pioneering role as a woman musician. She was probably the first woman to sing, write songs, AND play an instrument in a band, as an equal among equals with the men in the band.

If other female musicians in rock and pop don't acknowledge that she was a trail blazer, that's simply a testament to Christine's modesty and lack of interest in personal stardom. She just never cared about promoting herself above the band she was in.

She also probably wouldn't care about pursuing an award like this, but I think she would graciously accept it if it were offered.

I agree there aren't many women in bands who have done what Christine has and it is probably due to her liking just to be "one of the boys" that has caused her lack of recognition.

I still don't think that many women would name her as a role model

Gail

[nicepace]

Originally Posted by Gailh

I agree there aren't many women in bands who have done what Christine has and it is probably due to her liking just to be "one of the boys" that has caused her lack of recognition.

I agree, and I think it's just so interesting that she viewed herself as "one of the guys" while writing and singing such very feminine songs.

[gypsysoul]

Gail, i think you're right she doesn't tend to get named as an influence and I think that is partly because she keeps a low profile but also because by the time she became famous she was pretty much swamped by her more showy band mate who ironically does get named as an influence by quite a few women.
In addition I think the kind of women who would admire Christine are those who want to be 'one of the boys' and just get on with the music. Quite a few female punks, for example, might have admired her achievements if by then she had not been part of the kind of band that was anaethma to them.

When I was a child however, I do remember British radio presenter Anne Nightingale waxing lyrical about someone called Christine Mcvie on the kind of 'cool' rock show that as a child I hated because they didn't play the kind of boybands that constantly do covers (I thought that was the height of musical genius then!).
I don't remember the details but there appeared to be a general high regard for her from both Anne and her audience - certainly for her early stuff.

So, yes, Gail, get that letter off to Mr Brown! We'll all sign it - Arise Dame Christine Mcvie

[JazmenFlowers]

Originally Posted by nicepace

I completely agree with Gypsysoul about Christine's pioneering role as a woman musician. She was probably the first woman to sing, write songs, AND play an instrument in a band, as an equal among equals with the men in the band.

If other female musicians in rock and pop don't acknowledge that she was a trail blazer, that's simply a testament to Christine's modesty and lack of interest in personal stardom. She just never cared about promoting herself above the band she was in.

She also probably wouldn't care about pursuing an award like this, but I think she would graciously accept it if it were offered.

this is pretty much what I was gonna say.

[Gailh]

Originally Posted by gypsysoul

When I was a child however, I do remember British radio presenter Anne Nightingale waxing lyrical about someone called Christine Mcvie on the kind of 'cool' rock show that as a child I hated because they didn't play the kind of boybands that constantly do covers (I thought that was the height of musical genius then!).
I don't remember the details but there appeared to be a general high regard for her from both Anne and her audience - certainly for her early stuff.

So, yes, Gail, get that letter off to Mr Brown! We'll all sign it - Arise Dame Christine Mcvie

I remember listening to Annie Nightingale on the radio. I also remember seeing her interview Stevie on the telly and her saying she had "known Christine for years"

I think a Damehood (is that right?) is a little ambitious - I think you've got have an OBE or CBE or some damn thing first. the process looks a bit complicated to me. You've got to fill in a form which has to show the address of the person you're nominating so I could be a bit stuck. How about - address: somewhere in the middle of nowhere in Kent. that should do it.

Gail

[aleuzzi]

Chris would probably love some royal family award! I'd love to see it, too! But, in response to the original issue of her being recognized formally by the industry for her pioneering role in rock...I sadly don't think that'll happen. And that's because the very thing that makes her a pioneer (a band player among the guys) is what makes her so "forgettable" to all those people who only focus on the frontline and on alll sorts of drama and image-conscious crap. Chris is not a stage narccisist. (sp?)

I do think, however, that there were (and probably continue to be) young women musicians who were inspired by her contributions to the band. Sheryl Crowe, for all of her vocal love for Stevie, may be one of them. I recently read her gloss on favorite albums and the White Album came in near the top of her list. She said she's listened to "World Turning" countless times while speeding down the LA highway. That tune is so largely tangled up with Chris I can't imagine she only likes Lindsey's guitar work.

You know, in a way, Christine reminds me of the late Laura Nyro...Both were/are excellent songwriters who quietly revolutionized women's roles in rock music. And both were/are extremely earthy presences on stage.

[gypsysoul]

Originally Posted by Gailh

I think a Damehood (is that right?) is a little ambitious - I think you've got have an OBE or CBE or some damn thing first.
Gail

Mick Jagger got his knighthood without any previous award. And Helen Mirren got her damehood despite having previously refused a lesser award for political reasons.
So Christine can go straight for the big one!

[nicepace]

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

Chris is not a stage narccisist. (sp?)

N-A-R-C-I-S-S-I-S-T <used a dictionary; how old fashioned is that? lol>

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

I do think, however, that there were (and probably continue to be) young women musicians who were inspired by her contributions to the band. Sheryl Crowe, for all of her vocal love for Stevie, may be one of them. I recently read her gloss on favorite albums and the White Album came in near the top of her list. She said she's listened to "World Turning" countless times while speeding down the LA highway. That tune is so largely tangled up with Chris I can't imagine she only likes Lindsey's guitar work.

I think that's probably very typical of a lot of people's reactions to Fleetwood Mac (not hardcore fans like us, but the general public). They say they're a Stevie fan but then when you ask them for a song they like they pick a Christine song. Chris's songs really define the whole sound of the band. Certainly if someone cites the 'White Album' as their favorite they are thinking of Christine songs.

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

You know, in a way, Christine reminds me of the late Laura Nyro...Both were/are excellent songwriters who quietly revolutionized women's roles in rock music. And both were/are extremely earthy presences on stage.

And that is a high compliment, considering the esteem awarded to Ms. Nyro (the writer of "Stone Soul Picnic," "Wedding Bell Blues" and a whole lot of other great songs).

[Ulpian]

I seem to remember this thread from the board on Christine's site. I think I suggested an OBE but the problem is, as Gail pointed out, that it is incredibly complex as a process. Really, 'fans' can't nominate someone simply because there needs to be a lot of detail, including addresses, names of referees etc.

My other thought is that sometimes a contribution to music simply is not enough. David Gilmour, of Pink Floyd, got his CBE for charity work as well as music; likewise Roger Daltrey of The Who, and Sir Paul McCartney for his support of the performing arts and related charities. I'm not aware of any philanthropic gestures Christine has made.

There are singers who got something through purely music-related work, e.g. Dusty Springfield, but they tend to be solo artists, or artists better known for their work outside a band. Also, if Chris were to be nominated, would Mick, John, Peter and Jeremy also merit consideration (being the British subjects, or formerly, who are traceable and eligible)?

Ultimately I am not convinced that Christine would be considered, but that if she was awarded something - and I'd say it'd be an MBE or OBE, no higher - she would accept. I just don't reckon it'll happen, unfortunately.