Category Archives: UK Articles

Music Review: 50 Years – Don’t Stop from Fleetwood Mac

A new career-defining set from Fleetwood Mac that spans their 50-year existence, released in multiple formats on Nov 16th, 2018.

This career spanning collection from Fleetwood Mac has been released as a single CD, three-CD set, 5-LP vinyl set, digital download and streaming edition and is a fine collection of songs that make up the career of Fleetwood Mac from the blues era of the late 60s, to the transition period of the early 70s, the later adult orientated rock era of the late 70s and 80s, to the final set of songs that make up the swansong of the band’s recording output. Each album is represented on this set, including one song from the  2013’s ‘Extended Play‘ release.

The set is chronological in sequence except for the streaming edition (of which I will cover off later in the piece) and most tracks have been remastered for this collection and sound extremely nice and bright. The highlighted of this set for me is the single mix of ‘Fireflies’ and the first-ever physical release of ‘Sad Angel’ from the 2013 ‘Extended Play‘ release, whereas most other tracks have been made available in remastered form on recent deluxe editions of Fleetwood Mac, Rumours, Tusk, Mirage and Tango In The Night, special mention should be made for the early to mid 70s songs that have also been remastered and should appeal to casual observers of the band who would not be familiar with these tracks. Continue reading Music Review: 50 Years – Don’t Stop from Fleetwood Mac

Don’t Stop: 50 years on, Fleetwood Mac are still rising from the ashes of their own self-destruction | The Independent

The Independent
Alexandra Pollard
15th Nov 2018

The storied band, who are about to embark on a European tour, have found a home for themselves teetering on the brink of implosion – unwilling, or perhaps unable, to let each other go. Their new anniversary album, ’50 Years – Don’t Stop’, could hardly be more aptly titled.

Fleetwood Mac taking part in a US interview broadcast in 1975 ( Polaris )

Affairs, breakups, terrifying brawls between lovers, damage to instruments (and skulls), divorce, drug abuse, alcoholism, rows about money, musical differences, and lots and lots and lots of hit records: Fleetwood Mac might have sounded mellow at times, but off stage they were anything but.

“We’re a group of people who, you could make the argument, don’t belong in the same band together,” Lindsey Buckingham once said of his fractious group. “It’s the synergy of that that makes it work.”

Whether they’ve triumphed because of their famously volatile relationship, or in spite of it, Fleetwood Mac have risen from the ashes of their own self-destruction more times than seemed possible. In the past 50 years, they have found a home for themselves teetering on the brink of implosion – unwilling, or perhaps unable, to let each other go. Their new anniversary album, 50 Years – Don’t Stop, released a month after they announced a 2019 European tour, could hardly be more aptly titled.

Not that the current members haven’t tried to stop. Stevie Nicks left the band in 1990 over a dispute with Mick Fleetwood, but rejoined a few years later. Guitarist Lindsey Buckingham quit in 1987, just before the band’s world tour, to “get on with the next phase of my creative growth” – only to spearhead a reunion a decade later. When Christine McVie packed the whole thing in 1998, she even went as far as moving to a sleepy village in Kent. “There’s no more chance of [McVie returning],” said Stevie Nicks in 2012, “than an asteroid hitting the earth.” A little over a year later, McVie was back in the band, no asteroid in sight. Continue reading Don’t Stop: 50 years on, Fleetwood Mac are still rising from the ashes of their own self-destruction | The Independent

Fleetwood Mac (without Lindsey Buckingham) announce European Tour including Wembley Stadium in the UK

FLEETWOOD MAC ANNOUNCE EUROPEAN TOUR

TICKETS ON SALE 26 OCTOBER 2018 AT 9AM

(LONDON, U.K. Monday 22 October 2018) – Legendary, GRAMMY-award winning band Fleetwood Mac announced today a European tour, set to kick off in June with three exclusive performances currently announced in London, Dublin and Berlin. Produced by Live Nation, the tour will feature the newly announced line-up of Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Stevie Nicks, and Christine McVie along with newcomers Mike Campbell and Neil Finn.

Tickets for the tour will go on-sale to the general public starting on Friday, October 26th at 9am local time.

A limited number of LaneOne VIP Packages will also be available, including amazing seats with premium benefits such as transportation, preferred entrance and more. LaneOne premium VIP packages are available here.

“Fleetwood Mac has always been about an amazing collection of songs that are performed with a unique blend of talents. We jammed with Mike and Neil and the chemistry really worked and let the band realize that this is the right combination to go forward with in Fleetwood Mac style. We know we have something new, yet it’s got the unmistakable Mac sound,” said Mick Fleetwood.

“We are thrilled to welcome the musical talents of the caliber of Mike Campbell and Neil Finn into the Mac family. With Mike and Neil, we’ll be performing all the hits that the fans love, plus we’ll be surprising our audiences with some tracks from our historic catalogue of songs,” said the group collectively. “Fleetwood Mac has always been a creative evolution. We look forward to honoring that spirit on this upcoming tour.” Continue reading Fleetwood Mac (without Lindsey Buckingham) announce European Tour including Wembley Stadium in the UK

Fleetwood Mac announce 2019 European tour amid bitter multi-million dollar lawsuit with former bandmate Lindsey Buckingham | Daily Mail (UK)

Eva Buckland
Daily Mail
23rd Oct 2018

Fleetwood Mac have announced a new European tour, days after it emerged the band were being sued for millions of dollars by ex bandmate Lindsey Buckingham for sacking him.

The Go Your Own Way hitmakers, who have sold more than 100m albums in a 51 year career, will perform gigs in Berlin, Dublin and London next June.

The iconic band, comprised of Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie – will be joined by newcomers, the Heartbreakers’ Mike Campbell and Crowded House’s Neil Finn.

Ushering in a new era for the band, Mick, 71, spoke of the ‘chemistry’ the band has with the new members, saying: ‘Fleetwood Mac has always been about an amazing collection of songs that are performed with a unique blend of talents.

‘We jammed with Mike and Neil and the chemistry really worked and let the band realise that this is the right combination to go forward with in Fleetwood Mac style.

‘We know we have something new, yet it’s got the unmistakable Mac sound.’

The group added: ‘We are thrilled to welcome the musical talents of the calibre of Mike Campbell and Neil Finn into the Mac family. With Mike and Neil, we’ll be performing all the hits that the fans love, plus we’ll be surprising our audiences with some tracks from our historic catalogue of songs.

‘Fleetwood Mac has always been a creative evolution. We look forward to honouring that spirit on this upcoming tour.’ Continue reading Fleetwood Mac announce 2019 European tour amid bitter multi-million dollar lawsuit with former bandmate Lindsey Buckingham | Daily Mail (UK)

Lindsey Buckingham sues former Fleetwood Mac bandmates claiming he lost $14m when he was fired | Daily Mail (UK)

Daily Mail
12th Oct 2018

He was unceremoniously fired from Fleetwood Mac in January.

Now longtime guitarist, singer and songwriter Lindsey Buckingham has filed a lawsuit against former bandmates: Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, Christie McVie and John McVie for ‘breach of fiduciary duty, breach of oral contract and intentional interference with prospective economic advantage.’

According to court documents obtained by Radar Online and Us Weekly, Buckingham claims the firing cost him between $12 to $14million.

In the suit, Lindsey claims the lost wages are part of a deal the band signed with events promoter Live Nation for 60 shows over two-years, where members were to earn up to $14million each.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Buckingham said he received a call from band manager Irving Azoff two days after the band was honored at a MusicCares benefit show in New York.

‘Stevie never wants to be on a stage with you again,’ Azoff was quoted as saying.

Her gripes reportedly included Buckingham’s outburst over the band’s intro music, and that he smirked during Nicks’ thank you speech at the MusiCares ceremony. Continue reading Lindsey Buckingham sues former Fleetwood Mac bandmates claiming he lost $14m when he was fired | Daily Mail (UK)

Music Review: Solo Anthology – The Best of Lindsey Buckingham

Great reflection on a long and impressive solo career outside of the confines of Fleetwood Mac

This fantastic set of songs from Lindsey Buckingham’s solo career (1981 to present) provides an impressive array of musical talents and styles from the creative musical genius of the Rumors-era Fleetwood Mac that deserves to have a place in your record collection. Lindsey’s often overlooked solo career has included six impressive solo albums and three live albums that are covered well within this anthology set.

Two impressive unreleased songs are also included that were in contention for the aborted final Fleetwood Mac album that continues to show that Lindsey has the ability to still craft a very good pop/soft rock track. The set is concluded with a great live collection of songs from recent live solo tours that includes his best known Fleetwood Mac songs.

It is a wonder to me how this accomplished musician had not reached a wider audience, but I strongly recommend that you pick up this anthology set and see what you have been missing, be prepared to be very much impressed.


This review was for the three-CD deluxe anthology set (that has the same track list as the 6 LP vinyl set), not the single CD release and has been published on Amazon UK and the iTunes UK Music Store,

 

Mick Fleetwood speaks out over Lindsey Buckingham’s departure from Fleetwood Mac ahead of North America tour | The Independent (UK)

Roisin O’Connor
The Independent
6th Aug 2018

Mick Fleetwood has spoken about guitarist and co-vocalist Lindsey Buckingham’s departure from Fleetwood Mac, ahead of the band’s upcoming tour of North America.

Buckingham left the group in April after a 40-year career, and it was later announced that he would be replaced on tour by Mike Campbell [Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers] and Neil Finn [Crowded House].

His departure from the band caused shock for fans, particularly given the conflicting statements issued by himself and the remaining members of the band.

At the time, Buckingham claimed he was fired and accused the band of “losing perspective”. Speaking to BillboardFleetwood has now said he remains positive for the future of the band.

“Obviously this is a huge change with the advent of Lindsey Buckingham not being a part of Fleetwood Mac,” he said.

“We all wish him well and all the rest of it. In truthful language, we just weren’t happy. And I’ll leave it at that in terms of the dynamic.”

He praised Campbell and Finn as he spoke about rehearsals for the tour, and added: “If you know anything about the history of this band, it’s sort of peppered with this type of dramatic stuff. It’s a strange band, really.

“It’s ironic that we have a 50-year package coming out with all the old blues stuff with Peter Green, all the incarnations of Fleetwood Mac, which was not of course planned.”

Fleetwood Mac’s tour of North America begins in October this year and runs until April 2019

Danny Kirwan obituary | The Times

The Times

Distinctive vibrato-style guitarist who helped his band top the charts before succumbing to ‘the curse of Fleetwood Mac’ in 1972

From left: Kirwan with Christine McVie, Mick Fleetwood (rear), Jeremy Spencer and John McVie
ALAMY

When Danny Kirwan joined Fleetwood Mac in 1968 his arrival created a three-pronged guitar attack that turned the group into one of the biggest-selling bands in Britain.

His unique vibrato style helped the instrumental Albatross to No 1, and further chart-topping hits featuring his distinctive guitar work followed with Man Of The World and Oh Well. Yet by 1972 Kirwan and both his fellow guitarists had gone, all three of them succumbing to psychotic breakdowns in what came to be known as “the curse of Fleetwood Mac”.

The first of them, Peter Green, quit in 1970, giving away his guitars and his money after a schizophrenic attack brought on by hallucinogenic drugs. Jeremy Spencer disappeared the next year, walking out of the band’s hotel, saying he was going to buy a magazine. He never returned and was later found to have joined a religious cult.

Yet Kirwan’s meltdown was in many ways the most dramatic of all. Sensitive and mentally fragile, he struggled to deal with fame and responsibility, went days on end without eating and developed a crippling stage fright, which in turn drove him to alcoholism.

His career as a rock star came to a shattering halt one night in 1972 on tour in America. Back stage while the band were tuning up before going on, something snapped and he hurled his Les Paul guitar at a dressing-room mirror, showering broken glass over his bandmates. Smashing his fists and head against the wall until they were bleeding, he refused to take the stage and instead spent the gig heckling from the audience as the band struggled on without him. He was sacked and never played with Fleetwood Mac again. Continue reading Danny Kirwan obituary | The Times

Deep Tracks: Lindsey Buckingham

By Sharon Lacey
April 19th, 2018

Lindsey Buckingham has been fired from Fleetwood Mac. Again. Well, technically he left in 1987 but he was essentially told he had to leave after he refused to tour. This time too it’s said to be disagreements over the forthcoming tour but in many ways, this has been a long time coming.

Let’s not get into the blame game here because who knows what was said behind the scenes but there has been obvious tensions in the band for quite a while evidenced by Stevie Nicks’s reluctance to tour and even record with the band (last year’s Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie album was started as the next Mac record but was eventually released as a duo album after Nicks refused to contribute.)

This high drama was always been a huge part of the Mac and their appeal but to actually fire one of the key members of their most successful line-up is a huge move and, to many fans, a terrible mistake.

Buckingham wasn’t just the third voice and songwriter or guitar god of the band, he was the arranger and producer, the visionary, the man who helped bring out the brilliance in all of their songs. Fleetwood Mac carried on without Buckingham back in the late ’80s and early ’90s but there is no doubt a big part of the magic was gone. It’s hard to imagine, although the new members are both hugely talented, that they can recapture that special chemistry with new members Mike Campbell and Neil Finn so late in the game.

Of course, the Mac has had a revolving line-up over the years with some amazing talents (in particular the legendary Peter Green but also, the often forgotten but wonderful Bob Welch), but the impact of Rumours overshadows it all. Buckingham’s massive contribution to that is not only undeniable but an important part of why Fleetwood Mac still mean so much to people decades after they first formed and it could be argued, why they are still around at all.

Buckingham, after all, gave up plans for solo albums on at least two occasions to keep the Mac going. Fleetwood usually gets all the credit for the Mac soldiering on but there are times when it was Buckingham who actually made it happen. His enthusiasm meant we were just one voice away from getting that final Rumours line-up album that every fan has been dreaming about but at the very least his parting gift to the Mac is the rather lovely Buckingham McVie record. Continue reading Deep Tracks: Lindsey Buckingham

Not a rumor: Lindsey Buckingham, Fleetwood Mac part ways | Daily Mail

Daily News
By Associated Press
|

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Lindsey Buckingham will have to go his own way. The singer-guitarist is out of Fleetwood Mac.

The band said in a statement Monday that Buckingham will not be on their new tour. The announcement came in two terse sentences at the bottom of a long news release announcing the new concerts.

“Lindsey Buckingham will not be performing with the band on this tour,” the statement said. “The band wishes Lindsey all the best.”

FILE – In this Jan. 26, 2018 file photo, Fleetwood Mac band members, from left, Stevie Nicks, John McVie, Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood appear at the 2018 MusiCares Person of the Year tribute honoring Fleetwood Mac in New York. The band said in a statement Monday that Buckingham is out of the band for its upcoming tour. Buckingham left the group once before, from 1987 to 1996. He’ll be jointly replaced by Neil Finn of Crowded House and Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

He’ll be jointly replaced by Neil Finn of Crowded House and Mike Campbell of Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers.

Buckingham joined the band with then-girlfriend Stevie Nicks in 1974 and the two became the central faces, voices and songwriters of the group for the four decades that followed.

Buckingham sang and either wrote or co-wrote hits like “Go Your Own Way,” ”Tusk,” and “The Chain.”

Buckingham left the band once before in 1987, returning for a tour in 1996 and remaining a steady member since.

No details were given on what led to the latest split. Buckingham’s agent referred requests for comment back to a publicist for Fleetwood Mac, who said it wasn’t yet clear how to reach Buckingham for a reaction.

The 68-year-old released an album and played a series of dates with the band’s Christine McVie last year.

FILE – In this Oct. 6, 2014 file photo, Lindsey Buckingham from the band Fleetwood Mac performs at Madison Square Garden in New York. The band said in a statement Monday that Buckingham is out of the band for its upcoming tour. Buckingham left the group once before, from 1987 to 1996. He’ll be jointly replaced by Neil Finn of Crowded House and Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, FIle)

Fleetwood Mac used most of the news release announcing the departure to tout its two new members. Continue reading Not a rumor: Lindsey Buckingham, Fleetwood Mac part ways | Daily Mail