FLEETWOOD MAC 101
Lesson Nine: “Tango In
The Night”
It had been nearly five years. Fleetwood Mac had endured extreme successes
and personal tragedies.
Stevie Nicks had become a genuine rock diva. She had three solo albums under her belt and several
Top Twenty hits.
Lindsey had released two solo albums, and Christine
released her first album in twenty years.
The future of Fleetwood Mac was yet again in question.
However, in 1986 they came back to record another
album.
This was the most difficult album to produce since “Rumours.”
Stevie was still touring during some of the recordings, which
made the process very difficult.
She was not able to make it to all of the recording
sessions, so the band had to keep working on the album without her input.
Before the albums are completed and released, all the band
members sit down and listen to their final product.
At this meeting, many fireworks flew from the band members.
Stevie complained that she couldn’t be heard on the album.
Christine made the comment that if Stevie wasn’t so
obsessed with her own solo career and put some effort into the album, maybe her
voice would have been heard on it.
These were seething comments from Christine, which led to
quite an argument between the three principal artists.
Stevie was upset.
She was shocked that Lindsey and Christine were not happy for her solo
success.
Lindsey and Christine countered that Stevie didn’t put any
effort into the album, and questioned her dedication.
The release of the album was put on hold.
After some re-recording, and adding of Stevie to the
harmonies, they listened again.
Mick agreed that the album sounded much better with Stevie,
and they released the album in 1987.
And it was quite a success!!
“Tango In The Night” as it was
named after a song on the album written by Lindsey, which was a point of
resentment for Stevie, as she had been promised since “Rumours”
that an album would be named after one of her songs. However, the “Tango” name seemed more
fitting, and it wasn’t really a point of hostility.
However, “Tango In The Night”
netted five singles:
‘Family Man’ by Lindsey was the least successful, going to
90 on the charts.
Lindsey’s other single, ‘Big
Love’ shot to number 5.
Stevie’s ‘Seven Wonders’ was successful, going to
19.
Christine had two singles:
‘Everywhere’ which went to number 14
And the ever popular
‘Little Lies’ which went to number 4!
The album went to number 7 on the charts and fans and
critics agreed that
Fleetwood Mac still had what it took to put out a great
album.
Four singles (‘Big
Love,’ ‘Seven Wonders,’ ‘Everywhere,’ and ‘Little Lies’) all sparked music videos.
(As did three of their previous songs, ‘Tusk,’ ‘Gypsy,’ and ‘Hold
Me.’)
Fleetwood Mac was on high!
Yet again they had come back from an extended hiatus and
produced a smash hit album, despite all odds.
Now it was time to tour, and something happened that would change Fleetwood Mac
forever.
Days before the “Tango” tour, the band met to get ready,
and another fight erupted.
Lindsey and Stevie were at each others throats.
Christine was still pretty angry with Stevie, thinking she was stealing
the spotlight from the rest of the band.
Stevie was still pissed with Christine about the remarks she made about her
lack of devotion to the band. Lindsey
was angry because he wanted an extended tour, and nobody else did.
Things were tense that evening, and Lindsey had heard
enough.
Just a few days before Fleetwood Mac would embark on the “Tango In The Night” tour…
Lindsey Buckingham walked out on Fleetwood Mac.
What would happen with Lindsey’s departure? Was it all over? Was that the final chapter for Fleetwood
Mac?
Check back for Lesson Ten!