FEATURE:
Never Going Back Again
IN THIS PHOTO: Fleetwood Mac in 2019 (L-R: Mike Campbell, Stevie Nicks, Neil Finn, Mick Fleetwood, Christine McVie and John McVie/PHOTO CREDIT: Press
Will We Hear Another Fleetwood Mac Album?
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THE past few years…
IN THIS PHOTO: Fleetwood Mac in the 1970s with Lindsey Buckingham (far right)
has been a pretty eventful and changeable one for Fleetwood Mac. Long-time member Lindsey Buckingham was fired from the band in 2018 and he sued the band off of the back of it. I bring this subject up because, on 11th July, their eponymous album turns forty-five. It was the first Fleetwood Mac album to feature Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, and songs like Rhiannon and Landslide became classic pretty soon. Former Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell and Neil Finn of Crowded House have replaced Buckingham, and the newly-rearranged band have been touring a bit. Right now, although the band have to wait until they can get back on the road, it makes me wonder whether they are considering an album. The last studio album, Say You Will, was released in 2003 and gained some positive reviews. I want to bring in an interview from The Independent published last year, where drummer Mick Fleetwood discussed the endurance of Fleetwood Mac; the situation involving Buckingham’s departure was also raised:
“I think we were damned lucky that our music never went down the drain because we went down the drain,” the 71-year-old drummer says now, “and I think in truth there are moments where you could have said we got pretty close, you know.
“Cocaine was everywhere, people who worked in banks [used it]. Personally, I had a run on that lifestyle, but fortunately, I didn’t get into any other type of drug that would have been more damaging – I don’t even know why, but I’m very thankful. Brandy and cocaine and beer,” he says, naming his poisons, as he describes the 20 years of “high-powered lunacy” that he put his body through. “That lifestyle became something that had to come to an end… hopefully, you come out of it with your trousers still on, and not taken out in a plastic bag.”
The tension between Nicks and Buckingham though was intense, and famously led to a violent confrontation in 1987, in which Buckingham reportedly tried to choke her over a car bonnet. “That whole situation is for Stevie and Lindsey to answer about, but it’s no secret that their journey has been volatile in emotional terms,” Fleetwood says.
Buckingham told Rolling Stone in October that he was given a message that “Stevie never wants to appear on a stage with you again” after he “smirked” during a thank you speech that she gave at a charity concert and claimed that she had given a “him or me” ultimatum to the rest of the band. Other reports suggested that Buckingham’s request to take three or four months off to go on a solo tour had been part of the decision. He took legal action against the group after being asked to leave, but in December it was reported that this had been settled, which may be why Fleetwood doesn’t want to discuss the issue”.
It is a shame ties have been cut with Buckingham, but with Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood still going strong, I think something magic could happen if the band got back in the studio. As much as I love all of the members of Fleetwood Mac, I have an incredibly soft spot for Stevie Nicks!
I fell for her voice when I heard it on Fleetwood Mac’s 1975 album when I was a child (in the 1990s); I hold Rumours up as one of my favourite albums, and Dreams is my favourite song from that album. I think Nicks adds something magical to the mix, and I hope to see Fleetwood Mac perform one day. There has been speculation that they will get into the studio, but I think the main objective of the band post-Buckingham was to get on the road and have Campbell and Finn cut their teeth in the new line-up. Although my favourite period for Fleetwood Mac was 1975-1987, I did really love Say You Will. Now that we are in lockdown, many people are looking ahead to see which artists will put out albums. We all have out dream list of the ones we want to hear. Some speak of Fleetwood Mac and a new album, but I personally would jump at the chance to hear new material from them. This is all guessing, but I can imagine there are songs in the locker, not just from Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks, but from Mike Campbell and Neil Finn. The pedigree of Finn and Campbell is incredible, and I would love to see how they write with Nicks and McVie, and whether they combine or work alone. Nicks released 24 Karat Gold: Songs from the Vault back in 2014; the album contains new versions of demos that Nicks primarily recorded between 1969 and 1987.
IN THIS PHOTO: Stevie Nicks in 2019/PHOTO CREDIT: Randee St Nicholas
Before then, 2011’s In Your Dreams was released – both are fantastic albums. Christine McVie released In the Meantime in 2004, and that is a terrific album. The thought of Nicks and McVie penning some new Fleetwood Mac songs alongside Campbell and Finn would be a dream; I don’t think they have ruled out a return to the studio, but I think touring has been highest on their priorities list. Although Buckingham is not in the crew, there is this generation of new fans that is discovering Fleetwood Mac. I think there would be this huge wave of affection from older fans and young if Fleetwood Mac stepped back in the studio. In an interview with Rolling Stone last year, Stevie Nicks (who was talking about being the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice) discussed a big Fleetwood Mac fan and admirer of hers (one suspects the feeling is mutual):
“You somehow have this timeless appeal to every new generation of fans. Harry Styles does such a great version of “The Chain.”
He’s Mick [Fleetwood]’s and my love child. When Harry came into our lives, I said, “Oh my God, this is the son I never had.” So I adopted him. I love Harry, and I’m so happy Harry made a rock & roll record — he could have made a pop record and that would have been the easy way for him. But I guess he decided he wanted to be born in 1948, too — he made a record that was more like 1975”.
Maybe we might have to wait a while for new Fleetwood Mac material but, for me, a new record from them would be near the top of my wishlist. Nearly forty-five years since their eponymous album – that introduced Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham -, having four of the five original band members returning to the studio would thrill the fanbase. Maybe it is on the back of their minds, but I hope they consider it more during this tense time. So many people (myself included) would be so joyed…
IF a new album came to fruition.