FLEETWOOD MAC 101
Lesson Ten: Adapting to Change, Moving On,
and Saying Goodbye
It was the biggest shock in the history of the band.
Lindsey was gone.
The tour was scheduled to begin in days.
The future of the band was in limbo, now more than
ever.
And as it did so many times in the past, Fleetwood Mac
adapted.
Two new guitarists were hired on, Billy Burnette
and Rick Vito.
The new incarnation went on tour as scheduled, and was
successful!
They even produced a video of a live show at the Cow Palace
in San Francisco.
After the tour, the band took another break.
In 1988, the band released their Greatest Hits album with
two new tracks.
As Long As You Follow,
by Christine went to number 43.
No Questions Asked, by Stevie never charted.
The album sold millions as Fleetwood Mac had produced
several hits which made it on this album.
It included Rhiannon,
Don’t Stop, Go Your Own Way, Hold Me, Everywhere, Gypsy, You Make Loving Fun,
Dreams, Say You Love Me, Tusk, Little Lies, Sara, Big Love and Over My Head.
After the release of the Greatest Hits album, rumors
circled the band as if the release of such an album signaled that they had
finally called it quits.
In 1989, Stevie released her next solo album, “The Other
Side of the Mirror.”
The album went to Number 10 on the Billboard Charts and
yielded the hit Rooms on Fire.
In 1990, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie,
Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, Billy Burnette, and Rick Vito defied the naysayers,
and reconvened to release another Fleetwood Mac album!!
The pressure was on.
Could the new Fleetwood Mac still put out a good album
without Lindsey Buckingham on board???
They released the album “Behind The
Mask” which quickly went platinum, proving that Fleetwood Mac was unstoppable!!
It reached Number 18 on the Charts.
Christine wrote the two singles that were released from the
album,
Skies the Limit which never
charted and Save Me which went to
number 33.
After a sold out world tour, Rick Vito decided he would
call it quits with Fleetwood Mac in 1991.
The band was able to handle Vito’s departure, but Stevie Nicks
also decided it was time to leave.
The future was yet again in question.
In 1991, Stevie released her own greatest hits album, “TimeSpace, The Best of Stevie Nicks.”
The album included three new songs, one of which charted at
Number 56, Sometimes It’s A Bitch.
The album went to Number 30 and included the hits:
Stop Draggin’ My
Heart Around, Whole Lotta Trouble, Talk To Me, Stand Back, If Anyone Falls, Rooms on Fire, Leather and
Lace, and Edge of Seventeen.
Lindsey released his third solo album, “Out of the Cradle”
in 1992.
The album, which critics didn’t approve of, only went to
Number 128 on the charts.
It seemed that Fleetwood Mac was fading.
Stevie looked as if she was wrapping up her solo career,
Lindsey’s album didn’t even break in to the Top 100.
The band released their boxed set, “25 Years – The Chain.”
Fleetwood Mac had lost the two artists that made them a
household name.
However, 1992 yielded hope that Fleetwood Mac would come
back together.
Democratic Presidential Candidate Bill Clinton won the
Presidency.
His campaign theme song was none other than the 1977 smash
hit from “Rumours,” Don’t Stop!!
The band reconvened!!!
Mick, John, Christine, Stevie and Lindsey were back
and performed at
President Clinton’s inauguration!!!
After their performance, there were talks about getting
back together, but Lindsey and Stevie opted out.
Mick decided to go on without them.
In 1994, he reconvened with John, Christine, and Billy Burnette to record a new album.
He added guitarist Dave Mason and vocalist Bekka Bramlett to the new Mac
lineup.
While waiting for their album to be released, Fleetwood Mac
embarked on a World Tour, opening for Crosby, Stills and Nash. They also toured
with Pat Benatar, and REO Speedwagon.
Also in 1994, Stevie released another solo album, “Street Angel.”
One song from this album charted. Maybe
Love Will Change Your Mind went to Number 57.
It was Stevie’s first album to not go platinum.
In October 1995, almost an entire year after the album was
initially recorded, and after the tour had already ended,
Warner Brothers finally released the Mac's new album, which
was called "Time."
The album sold poorly and the tour didn't fare much better.
After all, it's hard to sell tickets for a tour when you're
given no album to promote, and have no support from your label.
Bandmember
frustration ensued and yet another incarnation of
Fleetwood Mac would enter the annals of recording history.
Fleetwood Mac had broken up. No more albums, no more tours.