Rumours 5 Event 2023?

[jbrownsjr]

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

Stevie needed a relaunch. Quitting smoking, losing weight, getting a makeover, and adopting the older, wiser godmother who survived it persona was the key to successfully redefining her public image. She probably could have done it as a solo artist, with special guests like Billy Corgan, Courtney Love, and Dave Grohl, but it wouldn’t have been nearly as profound or as durable as a Fleetwood Mac reunion.

Or Bob Dylan.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

Not at all.

Rob C. was an in-house producer for WB. Lindsey wasn’t his employer, WB was. That’s a red flag that the label wasn’t going to allow Lindsey the same creative free reign he’d previously enjoyed.

Furthermore, if a WB employee was pushing for a Hell Freezes Over-type reunion and encouraging Lindsey to get Mick involved on the project, that was coming from much higher on the chain of command. So, not only were the higher ups at WB pushing for a Rumours reunion, but they also intentionally decided to tank Time while it was still being recorded.

By the time Mick got involved with Lindsey’s album and all of the industry guys started coming around, Billy knew the Time lineup was over and tried to warn Bekka and Dave.

In any case, all of the “everything came together very organically” was about as sincere as the “it just felt like a duet album.”

I am still not understanding your DOA statement. Everyone knew FM was done. I dont think Billy needed to tell anyone. Stevie was usually the savior of the band but when her solo album tanked it was no surprise that Time would not chart. Christine never wanted to participate and was never intended to participate. Warner Brothers sort of made her participate where they knew themselves a FM album without a known singer is a waste of time and energy. Chris was loyal to the band and only participated to make sure FM had an album to put out. Thats all you need to know about Time when even your record company has serious doubts if it should even happen. Having said that, I dont think anyone did not give their 100% to the album. Chris had at least 2 good songs.
I dont buy the Dance was presented to the band this early though. Chris bolted back to England and they needed that flop of the Dance to finally hit rock bottom. The next year was 1996 and the darkest days for everyone.

Still not quite understanding your DOA statement.

[aleuzzi]

Originally Posted by UnwindedDreams

There would be people who say Lindsey isn't creative because he waits years in between albums, he has covers on his records, and his albums are the same sound. Right now, he is touring an album that's one year old.

Stevie said she has 2 new songs she had a producer work on. Her current tour is really a slowed down Stevie. So different from Debbie Harry, Gladys, or Cher who get down on stage.

Touring a one-year-old album is hardly resting. In their heyday, each of Mac’s tours was at least a year long. I’m glad he’s getting mileage out of the best Mac-related solo album in years.

[SteveMacD]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

Everyone knew FM was done. I dont think Billy needed to tell anyone.

That was per Billy. Bekka purchased a $1 million house on the assumption they were going to be touring.

Christine never wanted to participate and was never intended to participate.

She was always on board for the album. Watch the pre-inauguration press conference. She talks about recording a new Fleetwood Mac album. There’s also the pictures of her with Bekka and Dave in the band prior to Billy coming back. Furthermore, she was always mentioned as a member who was retired from touring in all of the interviews they did at the time. Now, she eventually dropped out of the project, as did Richard Dashut, and the band submitted a version of the album without Christine’s songs, which was rejected by the label, but it’s not accurate to say she was never intended to participate.

Thats all you need to know about Time when even your record company has serious doubts if it should even happen.

They started that project before Hell Freezes Over was even an idea, so I don’t know if that was the overarching sentiment at the beginning. I doubt anyone though it would be a hit, but it’s low sales aren’t necessarily reflective of that lineup or the actual music as it is the label killing it to make room for the classic lineup reunion.

Chris bolted back to England and they needed that flop of the Dance to finally hit rock bottom.

Christine was going back and forth since at least 1990.

The next year was 1996 and the darkest days for everyone.

Not true. In early 1996, Mick announced he was on Lindsey’s upcoming album. Then there was “Twisted” and the news of John and Christine participating on Lindsey’s album. Everyone but Lindsey went to the Kentucky Derby together, with Steve Winwood standing in for Lindsey. It was very obvious the Rumours band was reuniting.

Still not quite understanding your DOA statement.

DOA, as in there was going to be no promotion beyond a single ad in Rolling Stone. No videos, no TV appearances, minimal airplay for “I Do.” And, no tour. Other than a corporate gig, the Time lineup ended with the release of the album. Time was dead on arrival because the Rumours reunion was already in the works, probably as early as late-1994.

[Macfan4life]

Steve. The inauguration was January 1993. Of course there was spin and optimism. You think they were going to say, we hate eachother and wont work together. You are out of your mind if you think Time was planned at that time. The 1994 LA earthquake changed Chris and that's when she decided to go back to England faster than she planned. You can even read about Time on the wikipedia page. Her arm was twisted by Warner Brothers. She was originally NOT supposed to be on the album.
I know I wont convince you of anything but Chris's issues started with the 1994 earthquake and she was done living in LA. She even put a song on Time about it. You are crazy to infer at this time her or the band was convinced to do the Dance in a few years.
You dont think 1996 was rock bottom? Mick working on a Lindsey album that was not going to be released in years? Stevie doing a song for a movie that no one heard and she walked off stage to never sing on stage again.
It does not matter how much Time was promoted, it was not going to chart thus the record company knew it was a waste of money.

Btw, Mick mentions it in his book about Chris and Time:

Fleetwood mentioned in his autobiography that Christine McVie did not originally intend to participate on the album (she had technically quit in 1990) but that Warner Bros. had insisted she appear. As such, her five featured songs were recorded separately from the full band and all guitar parts on these were played by session musician Michael Thompson, although Billy Burnette is featured on the album's only single, "I Do", which only charted in Canada.[4] "Hollywood" alludes to the homesickness that would cause her to retire temporarily from the band, while "Nights in Estoril" celebrated time spent at Estoril in Portugal with her then-husband Eddy Quintela, who was Portuguese himself.

Chris was a trooper again for the band giving in to let them try and remain relevant. She was done and out. She would have turned down the Dance If offered at this time. Was there chatter? Maybe but there is always chatter. I am talking about the serious approach of contracts, etc.

[SteveMacD]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

Steve. The inauguration was January 1993. Of course there was spin and optimism. You think they were going to say, we hate eachother and wont work together.

Christine and then John said that they were going to begin work on the new Fleetwood Mac album in April. That’s a little more than spin. Here’s the video. https://youtu.be/4Lc7hE9TIr0

You are out of your mind if you think Time was planned at that time.

And, yet, that video I posted says otherwise. At the time of that interview, the band was Mick, John, Christine, and Billy. Billy quit in April, Bekka was added in May, and Dave Mason sometime in the Fall. Christine was a part of that lineup. Again, there’s photographic evidence. I’m going on the facts as they happened in real time, not a book whitewashing the band’s history.

I know I wont convince you of anything but Chris's issues started with the 1994 earthquake and she was done living in LA.

That’s great. However, they started the album in late 1993.

You are crazy to infer at this time her or the band was convinced to do the Dance in a few years.

I think it started in late-1994, after the stunning successes of Hell Freezes Over and No Quarter.

You dont think 1996 was rock bottom? Mick working on a Lindsey album that was not going to be released in years? Stevie doing a song for a movie that no one heard and she walked off stage to never sing on stage again.

Between February and mid-May, 1996, Mick announced that he was working with Lindsey, the Time lineup was dissolved, “Twisted” was released, Stevie appeared with Mick, John, and Christine at the Kentucky Derby, and it came out that John and Christine were also working on Lindsey’s new album. The Mac was dead, long live the Mac.

It does not matter how much Time was promoted, it was not going to chart thus the record company knew it was a waste of money.

The bigger point is that they had zero intention of doing anything with the album months before it was released.

I remember Chris's online interview in 1995 where she said she was officially done and even questioned the Time lineup. That is something Chris never did, sort of bash the Mac.

She didn’t actually say she was done and the only one she singled out was Dave Mason, saying she wasn’t sure what he had to do with Fleetwood Mac. No mention of Bekka and only made a joke about Billy already nuts when he joined. Although, she certainly talked up Lindsey, which was…interesting.

[UnwindedDreams]

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

Touring a one-year-old album is hardly resting. In their heyday, each of Mac’s tours was at least a year long. I’m glad he’s getting mileage out of the best Mac-related solo album in years.

Steve H said this album was recorded and done in 2016 or 2017.

Is 24 Karat Gold the album 8 years old or 25 years old?

[SteveMacD]

Originally Posted by UnwindedDreams

Steve H said this album was recorded and done in 2016 or 2017.

Is 24 Karat Gold the album 8 years old or 25 years old?

Eight. Even though the songs were old, the recordings on the album were new.

[Macfan4life]

Steve
My only issue with what you post is you are taking quotes and weaving them into something else. The band wanted to remain relevant and when they did press conferences they said things that were wishful thinking about their future. Stevie said in 1983 she was going to make a country album next. Chris said in 1984 she had such fun doing her solo album she was going to do another. I doubt her album 20 years later was the same album. With Chris finishing her house, quitting touring, and wanting to get back to England, she may truly meant she intended to record with the band in 1993. After the earthquake and her wanting to get back there could have changed her mind about that. Fleetwood Mac no longer included both Lindsey and Stevie. Stevie originally said she would still record with the band too. Then the Silver Springs fight happened and she was out. Chris did not want to record Time and only did so for loyalty to the band so Warner would let it happen. When your own record company is hesitant to let you do an album shows what they thought of this Time lineup.
If you dont think 1996 was the darkest of days for the Mac then when would you say it was? 1992 had the Dont Stop campaign song and Out of The Cradle released. 1993 had them on TV at the inaugural and perform at the Superbowl. 1994 Stevie was on tour and released a solo album. 1995 had them releasing an album. 1996 was crickets. No doubt that right after the Eagles reunion tour there was chatter about a reunion, would it not be great to get the 5 back? But this was the wrong time. The Mac needed to completely burn out and have those forgotten years to make it happen. You really think Chris would have said, sure I will tour again (after leaving for how much she hated it) just give me a year or two. I really doubt it was offered and is probably a good thing it was not because she would have shot it down. I also remember after the inaugural performance the band was bombarded with questions....are you guys getting back together and they were firm that they were not reuniting. I would take those quotes with the same grain of salt as the ones you are quoting. I just remember being bummed out after shooting down any reunion talk. Lindsey's long awaited solo album was waiting the wings for him. In Mick's last book he expresses regret forcing the Mac to continue on during those lean years. Time while not horrible is on an album list at #10 of the worst albums ever recorded.
This is my long distance dedication to you Steve:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-qcqn2yiN4

[SteveMacD]

Stop talking in platitudes when there are specific timelines and facts backing up what happened.

Christine AND John specified in the January, 1993 press conference that they were going into the studio in April to start on the next album. There are band picture from late-93/early-94 of Mick, John, Christine, Bekka, and Dave before Billy rejoined. Every interview from 1994 says that she’s still a member and contributing to the recording. She even said during one of the LBCM interviews that she stopped going to the studio when things became acrimonious with Dave Mason, a sentiment also expressed by Richard Dashut. Those are verifiable facts. Does any of that sound like she was never intended to be on the album?

Christine’s Time songs were most likely the studio demos made while the band was looking for a guitarist, hence Michael Thompson. Billy left the band shortly after the sessions started, hence why he’s on “I Do.”

[jbrownsjr]

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

Stop talking in platitudes when there are specific timelines and facts backing up what happened.

Christine AND John specified in the January, 1993 press conference that they were going into the studio in April to start on the next album. There are band picture from late-93/early-94 of Mick, John, Christine, Bekka, and Dave before Billy rejoined. Every interview from 1994 says that she’s still a member and contributing to the recording. She even said during one of the LBCM interviews that she stopped going to the studio when things became acrimonious with Dave Mason, a sentiment also expressed by Richard Dashut. Those are verifiable facts. Does any of that sound like she was never intended to be on the album?

Christine’s Time songs were most likely the studio demos made while the band was looking for a guitarist, hence Michael Thompson. Billy left the band shortly after the sessions started, hence why he’s on “I Do.”

Billy did the tour, no? Which was before the album?

[DownOnRodeo]

I love that 1994 interview Steve posted.
Christine, Lindsey, Mick, and John. Such a good combination. The studio powerhouse of the Rumours configuration. And Stevie not consuming all the beauty in the room.

Meanwhile according to the interview, Christine was intending to relaunch her solo career in the mid 90s, so I guess we can't take too much from their statements.

[jbrownsjr]

Originally Posted by DownOnRodeo

I love that 1994 interview Steve posted.
Christine, Lindsey, Mick, and John. Such a good combination. The studio powerhouse of the Rumours configuration. And Stevie not consuming all the beauty in the room.

Meanwhile according to the interview, Christine was intending to relaunch her solo career in the mid 90s, so I guess we can't take too much from their statements.

I remember that interview. And I believe they were all itching to do something greater than Slime.. errrr I mean Time.

[UnwindedDreams]

Would Stevie have returned to FM in 1997 if it was with Billy and Rick(no Lindsey) and for a full performance of the Rumours album tour?

[SteveMacD]

Originally Posted by jbrownsjr

Billy did the tour, no? Which was before the album?

Billy left the band in April, 1993 but came back some time in early 1994, in time for the tour. There was an interview with Dave Mason from around the time of the 1994 tour that made it sound like Billy was considered a sideman. (Helping us fill out the sound…)

When bands make an album, they record demo versions of the songs in the studio that are actually good enough to be released (think “Sweet Girl” from Enchanted). I think Christine’s Time songs were studio demos, which began in April, 1993. “I Do” would have been the first one recorded before Billy quit.