"The affairs dented my self respect"

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

Some of my dismissals of the writer and her approach come from her one hour podcast/interview where she sells the same stories and paints the same pictures as this fragment provided here. She has an angle and a mission: I’m not on board with either because it doesn’t appear to come from an authentic connection with Christine. It’s opportunistic and distorted.

She has written biographies of Freddie Mercury and David Bowie. She does not use scandal to sell books. Chris had to know she was going to do a bio of her based on her other books of Brits in music. I think Chris was smart enough not to tell her anything she did not want public. I read another excerpt that said Chris actually protested Stevie joining the band. Chris had never played with another woman before and did not think it would work. But Chris met Stevie and they had good chemistry.

[cbBen]

A "farewell" could, theoretically, mean the band bidding "farewell" to Stevie and to Christine; not disbanding altogether.

But how does any interpretation of saying "farewell" to Stevie in 1990 jive with Stevie saying she left the band in 1991 (or 1992?) due to Mick refusing to let her use "Silver Springs" for a solo compilation (whether it was in fact Mick's call or not)?

[Villavic]

Originally Posted by cbBen

A "farewell" could, theoretically, mean the band bidding "farewell" to Stevie and to Christine; not disbanding altogether.

But how does any interpretation of saying "farewell" to Stevie in 1990 jive with Stevie saying she left the band in 1991 (or 1992?) due to Mick refusing to let her use "Silver Springs" for a solo compilation (whether it was in fact Mick's call or not)?

Only if Stevie's farewell meant a farewell to tours, but not to record albums. And then the SS episode was the last straw and she said a total goodbye to the band.

[aleuzzi]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

She has written biographies of Freddie Mercury and David Bowie. She does not use scandal to sell books. Chris had to know she was going to do a bio of her based on her other books of Brits in music. I think Chris was smart enough not to tell her anything she did not want public. I read another excerpt that said Chris actually protested Stevie joining the band. Chris had never played with another woman before and did not think it would work. But Chris met Stevie and they had good chemistry.

Sorry, I’m not convinced. Even if she’s done bios before, I have a hard time believing a writer who says Christine’s main reason for leaving in 1998 is discovering that Stevie had an affair with Dennis while he was with Christine. The interview the writer gave did not strike me as authentically motivated.

[Penguin Emeritus]

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

Sorry, I’m not convinced. Even if she’s done bios before, I have a hard time believing a writer who says Christine’s main reason for leaving in 1998 is discovering that Stevie had an affair with Dennis while he was with Christine. The interview the writer gave did not strike me as authentically motivated.

I have to agree with this. all that sounded sort of ludicrous. even if it had happened, it would have all been so far in the past...chris had bigger fish to fry by then. none of these people had lived virtuous lives of fidelity. i feel like Jones maybe had a few good deep conversations with chris over many years and then tried to write a book with some of those details as well as stuff anyone can google, but she needed 'something big' to kind of get people's attention so she threw in this weird claim..?

i wonder what stevie thinks about it, to be honest. i wonder if even she was like, 'oh, this is such BS.'

--Lis

[aleuzzi]

Originally Posted by Penguin Emeritus

I have to agree with this. all that sounded sort of ludicrous. even if it had happened, it would have all been so far in the past...chris had bigger fish to fry by then. none of these people had lived virtuous lives of fidelity. i feel like Jones maybe had a few good deep conversations with chris over many years and then tried to write a book with some of those details as well as stuff anyone can google, but she needed 'something big' to kind of get people's attention so she threw in this weird claim..?

i wonder what stevie thinks about it, to be honest. i wonder if even she was like, 'oh, this is such BS.'

--Lis

Thanks, Lis. I’m glad I wasn’t the only one thinking along these very same lines.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by Penguin Emeritus

I have to agree with this. all that sounded sort of ludicrous. even if it had happened, it would have all been so far in the past...chris had bigger fish to fry by then. none of these people had lived virtuous lives of fidelity. i feel like Jones maybe had a few good deep conversations with chris over many years and then tried to write a book with some of those details as well as stuff anyone can google, but she needed 'something big' to kind of get people's attention so she threw in this weird claim..?

i wonder what stevie thinks about it, to be honest. i wonder if even she was like, 'oh, this is such BS.'

--Lis

No one knows for sure but is it not such a unique detail that it could be true? These were not normal people. They were very entitled, self absorbed, drug addicts. The bat s**t crazy stuff Stevie has done and you dont believe one more affair? Stevie married her dead best friend's husband and then went immediately on tour with her drug addict boyfriend. So I am a bit amused at your description it would be "ludicrous" . In 1990 Joe Walsh was on Rockline telling the world that Stevie thought a Kentucky Fried Chicken commercial was the latest Prince video on MTV. Stevie admitted herself the only reason her and Mick had an affair was because they were the biggest partiers and were still up when everyone went to bed. They still did it without care of the consequences for the band. Drugs fuel these horrible decisions. I sort of see the reality that Stevie and Dennis could have been up well after a party and things happened. This is what Dennis did. He was an extreme womanizer. Its what they all did so I am confused at people questioning of all the insane stuff with Fleetwood Mac, this is a bridge too far?
Can you imagine the things we don't know? I see this as Chris knowing someday this will come out when she was gone and letting the world know but also Stevie know she knew. Of all the crazy stuff that Stevie did that we may not know, this would be the most believable allegation of them all
The tensions in the band 1982 were intense. Short tour, never appearing in the Hold Me video together, etc. Chris even took a swipe at Stevie in the media in 1984. Could this be just one of the reasons? But with all these affairs and craziness I can imagine it was so much water under the bridge which is why Chris may have revealed it as just one more affair between the band aka just another day in Fleetwood Mac. It true, I don't think Stevie would ever admit it. Remember when Stevie threatened Mick with a lawsuit about his book? Can you imagine the insane and crazy stuff he really could have written? IMHO this completely fits the pattern of Stevie, Dennis and the band.

[Penguin Emeritus]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

No one knows for sure but is it not such a unique detail that it could be true? These were not normal people. They were very entitled, self absorbed, drug addicts. The bat s**t crazy stuff Stevie has done and you dont believe one more affair? Stevie married her dead best friend's husband and then went immediately on tour with her drug addict boyfriend. So I am a bit amused at your description it would be "ludicrous" . In 1990 Joe Walsh was on Rockline telling the world that Stevie thought a Kentucky Fried Chicken commercial was the latest Prince video on MTV. Stevie admitted herself the only reason her and Mick had an affair was because they were the biggest partiers and were still up when everyone went to bed. They still did it without care of the consequences for the band. Drugs fuel these horrible decisions. I sort of see the reality that Stevie and Dennis could have been up well after a party and things happened. This is what Dennis did. He was an extreme womanizer. Its what they all did so I am confused at people questioning of all the insane stuff with Fleetwood Mac, this is a bridge too far?
Can you imagine the things we don't know? I see this as Chris knowing someday this will come out when she was gone and letting the world know but also Stevie know she knew. Of all the crazy stuff that Stevie did that we may not know, this would be the most believable allegation of them all
The tensions in the band 1982 were intense. Short tour, never appearing in the Hold Me video together, etc. Chris even took a swipe at Stevie in the media in 1984. Could this be just one of the reasons? But with all these affairs and craziness I can imagine it was so much water under the bridge which is why Chris may have revealed it as just one more affair between the band aka just another day in Fleetwood Mac. It true, I don't think Stevie would ever admit it. Remember when Stevie threatened Mick with a lawsuit about his book? Can you imagine the insane and crazy stuff he really could have written? IMHO this completely fits the pattern of Stevie, Dennis and the band.

I'm not saying it would be ludricrous that stevie slept with dennis. it just seems unlikely that A. chris would not have known about that at the time/would not have suspected dennis slept with everyone in their circles, and B. that it annoyed her enough all those years later to quit over it.

but i guess anything is possible w these people...maybe she did complain about it at some point and jones just went with it.



--Lis

[Villavic]

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

Sorry, I’m not convinced. Even if she’s done bios before, I have a hard time believing a writer who says Christine’s main reason for leaving in 1998 is discovering that Stevie had an affair with Dennis while he was with Christine. The interview the writer gave did not strike me as authentically motivated.

I agree with you too. I just thought, so Lindsey didn't leave the band when she found out about Stevie and Mick, but Christine left the band because of that alleged D&S thing?

And it was 1998 when she supposedly learned about it. They were sober so decisions were not made in an insane, drug-addled state of mind. I don't buy it.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by Penguin Emeritus

I'm not saying it would be ludricrous that stevie slept with dennis. it just seems unlikely that A. chris would not have known about that at the time/would not have suspected dennis slept with everyone in their circles, and B. that it annoyed her enough all those years later to quit over it.

but i guess anything is possible w these people...maybe she did complain about it at some point and jones just went with it.

--Lis

--Lis

I don't think the revelation (if true) is a reflection of Chris or the author. Its a reflection of Stevie/Dennis and the insanity of the band. I see it a different way. If it did happen would it not be seen as a huge mistake and kept secret? I can sort of see finding out about it later (even though so much time passed) would sort of irritate you like seriously? Nothing is sacred? IMHO its so believable because of the patterns of these people. I see the delay in finding out makes the allegation stronger, not weaker. Regardless if true or not, we will never know for sure. The author has not been accused of faking stories of David Bowie or Freddie Mercury.
I can see Chris being hurt. Was it the reason she left in 1998? No, I would say it was not the only reason. But the totality of her fear of flying, her marriage falling apart, the earthquake in LA, and just wanting to get out of the biz. As Lindsey would always say "it just was one more of those things"
If Stevie and Dennis slept together in some drug fueled late night shin dig, I see it completely reasonable they were the only ones that knew about that at the time and it was a regretted secret between the two. But as the years go on, those secrets do leak out. I can imagine there are far more stories of betrayal between these band members than Stevie and Dennis.
For instance, you dont think Mick knew where all the missing money went on the Tusk tour? I would not put it past him he robbed them blind with the intention of doing so. We all have deep dark secrets between family and friends that we sometimes go to the grave with. But sometimes they do leak out.
I suppose I am a bit confused that many are surprised at this to the extent they dont believe it? If it happened, of course it would upset Chris whether she found out in 1980 or 1997. Of everything that has been written about this band, this is the least surprising and interesting IMHO. On another thread we were discussing how Prince was telling his assistants to keep Stevie away from him with the way she was dancing, flirting, and lifting up her dress.
I say this with all sincerity. I love this board and all of its posters. These conversations about mostly a distant band are amazing. As David said once, there is more drama here than ever was in Fleetwood Mac. But its times like this that I swear I am on another band's message board. We are seriously discussing affairs of Fleetwood Mac's band members and find them unbelievable? Or if once they are discovered there would be a sense of betrayal afterwards? This is what made Fleetwood Mac, Fleetwood Mac. They relished in the fact that everyone was sleeping with everyone. Sometimes in life the longer a secret is held, the more damaging it can be. Its like when a child was never told they were adopted but find out when they are well into adulthood. Stevie and Mick's affair was found out in real time. I just see that such a fling between Dennis and Stevie had much more power if discovered so much later in life especially after one's passing.
Someone once wrote: A wound gets worse when treated with neglect

I may have the minority opinion but hear me out. I think Chris was the smart one here. No way in hell would I believe Chris is having lunch with a woman who has done biographies about iconic British rock stars without knowing what she tells her will make it to a book. An author would never reveal that kind of info what kind of agreement they had. When Chris found out about the affair I doubt she confronted Stevie. It would make no sense to do so. It was water under the bridge. But I see this as Chris letting Stevie know and the world know she knew about this betrayal. That was her entire point and its got to sting Stevie. I would not go as far as its Chris's middle finger to Stevie but like a good mannered Brit, she kept this to herself because it has been so long and senseless. But no doubt its got to sting Stevie which I think was the point. Chris may have also exaggerated the irritation claiming it was a reason she left in 1998 to make it sting and hurt even more.
But at the end of the day if this is the only juicy thing in the book, we are in for a boring book and most of the stuff we are already going to know. But Chris was smart, no way I think she was naive to think she was just talking over tea. All of this is on purpose. If we believe how these affairs both her and John were having had an impact on her then why would be believe something like this wouldn't. I just cant believe you can take chapters of a book and say which ones you believe. I find what I have read very heartfelt.

[bombaysaffires]

Are people misreading/misunderstanding/misrepresenting other people's comments on here on purpose....or are they just unable to read?

The comment has been made numerous times that Christine would NOT have been surprised that Dennis had slept with other women while he was with her, and she would NOT have been surprised that one of them was Stevie. It is also no surprise to anyone on this board who has any ounce of awareness about this band (ie, not slavish worshippers).

The idea that this news would, in 1998, push Christine to leave the band is the nutty part. Sure it could have been one more brick in the wall (assuming she didn't already know about it).... but Chris was longing to go back to England and get a break from LA/the band/showbiz for a long time and by then had far bigger things going on in her life than an old affair, even if the affair had been hurtful to her back when it happened.

[Penguin Emeritus]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

I don't think the revelation (if true) is a reflection of Chris or the author. Its a reflection of Stevie/Dennis and the insanity of the band. I see it a different way. If it did happen would it not be seen as a huge mistake and kept secret? I can sort of see finding out about it later (even though so much time passed) would sort of irritate you like seriously? Nothing is sacred? IMHO its so believable because of the patterns of these people. I see the delay in finding out makes the allegation stronger, not weaker. Regardless if true or not, we will never know for sure. The author has not been accused of faking stories of David Bowie or Freddie Mercury.
I can see Chris being hurt. Was it the reason she left in 1998? No, I would say it was not the only reason. But the totality of her fear of flying, her marriage falling apart, the earthquake in LA, and just wanting to get out of the biz. As Lindsey would always say "it just was one more of those things"
If Stevie and Dennis slept together in some drug fueled late night shin dig, I see it completely reasonable they were the only ones that knew about that at the time and it was a regretted secret between the two. But as the years go on, those secrets do leak out. I can imagine there are far more stories of betrayal between these band members than Stevie and Dennis.

I guess i just find it hard to swallow that chris hadn't known/suspected this before, knowing that dennis screwed anything that moved, and stevie made the rounds as well. i mean, like you said, wouldn't it have been just one more thing? none of them were particularly devoted to fidelity esp in those crazy drugged out years.... not something to leave the band over but i guess that's just my perspective.

FWIW chris also knew that her good friend sandra slept with john both in 1974 and 1976 and yet always remained friends w her--- she let her move in after sandra couldn't take living w john anymore! chris also knew about a person very close to her who had a long affair with ed, and chris ultimately remained friends with this person after the marriage had ended. so i guess i see her as rather forgiving, maybe more the type to just let it be water under the bridge after a certain point? chris herself has said "nothing would surprise her in this band".

now....whether or not she mentioned this to jones as a way to possibly give a little dig at stevie...that could be interesting

--Lis

[jbrownsjr]

Originally Posted by bombaysaffires

Are people misreading/misunderstanding/misrepresenting other people's comments on here on purpose....or are they just unable to read?

The comment has been made numerous times that Christine would NOT have been surprised that Dennis had slept with other women while he was with her, and she would NOT have been surprised that one of them was Stevie. It is also no surprise to anyone on this board who has any ounce of awareness about this band (ie, not slavish worshippers).

The idea that this news would, in 1998, push Christine to leave the band is the nutty part. Sure it could have been one more brick in the wall (assuming she didn't already know about it).... but Chris was longing to go back to England and get a break from LA/the band/showbiz for a long time and by then had far bigger things going on in her life than an old affair, even if the affair had been hurtful to her back when it happened.

This part^^^ Everyone had known that Stevie slept with Dennis. That part is true. But, to make **** up and say that's why she left the band is just insane. That's the ludicrous part. And we won't all go insane, together. (together gether gether gethergether gether gether)