In the 1970s, with the success of Fleetwood Mac beneath his wings, Lindsey helped John emerge as a successful commercial artist with his production efforts, as well as his singing and guitar playing on John's 1979 album titled, "Bombs Away Dream Babies." Lindsey had always admired John's guitar playing with the Kingston Trio, and it was this album that bonded John and Lindsey's friendship, both musically and creatively.
Lindsey had been very involved in producing the Fleetwood Mac albums, as well as many other solo artists, and John recognized this and admired Lindsey's skills. "Bombs Away" produced the top five hit "Gold" (with Stevie Nicks on vocals), as well as "Midnight Wind" and "Lost Her in the Sun." Most of the success of this album was due to the wonderful musical arrangements that included both John and Lindsey's intense electric guitar solos, challenged by the powerful lead vocals of John Stewart - all of this set against the background of John's bittersweet-Americana lyrics.
Lindsey has shown his admiration and support for John Stewart not only in helping him in the studio, but in his own writings too. Lindsey wrote the song "Johnny Stew," on his 1981 solo album, "Law and Order" for John Stewart. Lindsey sings "it takes a worried man, now, to sing a worried, song, Johnny, oh, Johnny, I know you were not wrong." In this song, Lindsey is possibly answering a song John wrote for Lindsey on "Bombs Away" titled "Comin' Out of Nowhere," which was written by John as a salute to Lindsey's song "That's Enough for Me," on Fleetwood Mac's "Tusk." Here, John sings of the musical changes of the late seventies and how Lindsey is leading the way for the eighties with his vision. "Listen for the guitar playing fire... listen to the sound that will nail you to the ground." John was referring to Lindsey's masterful creation of "Tusk," which was seen by John to be just the beginning of these musical changes.
After "Johnny Stew," Stewart wrote another lyrical tribute for Lindsey called, "Liddy Buck," in the early 1980's, which was a reflection of Lindsey's creative musical talents. "Liddy Buck" was only recently released on Stewart's 1998 CD compilation, "Teresa And The Lost Songs." Like Lindsey, John's songs are truthful. He writes of the reality of life surrounded by loneliness and longing. Their musical collaboration was like magic, and one that would strongly influence both of their careers.
