By: ED CONDRAN
Burlington County Times
When iconic bands reunite for a tour, it's often difficult for members of those veteran acts to resist the temptation to play old favorites with their former mates and to perform in massive halls with all the respect and amenities you can imagine.
Oh, and then there is that massive payday groups such as Fleetwood Mac receive for their two-hour shows.
However, Lindsey Buckingham didn't necessarily run back and join his ex-mates for a reunion.
After all, the vocalist-guitarist has been focusing on his solo work over recent years. He put out two of his finest solo albums: 2006's "Under the Skin" and 2008's "Gift of Screws." Both discs garnered critical acclaim and helped him pack theaters throughout North America.
"I needed a three-year period where they couldn't come knocking on my door," says Buckingham. "That allowed me to put out two albums."
Now that those solo efforts are out of Buckingham's system, he is more than happy to rejoin Fleetwood Mac for a tour, which stops Saturday at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
"I'm more than happy to make time for this band," says Buckingham. "I love being part of this group. I love the camaraderie, the songs and all that comes with being in Fleetwood Mac. Just because I delayed the group getting back together doesn't mean I didn't want to come back.
"We all have things to do. I have a family now with a wife and three young children (under 10). But now is the time to get back again. We're a band again - it's just a great situation."
Expect Buckingham and his bandmates - vocalist Stevie Nicks, bassist John McVie and drummer Mick Fleetwood - to deliver plenty of hits during their "Unleashed" tour.
"The fans still want to hear songs like 'Go Your Own Way,' 'Dreams' and 'The Chain,' Buckingham says. "We still love playing the songs. We never get tired of them. It's something that I think we'll always love to do. This is interesting - going out for the first time without a new album to support. It's a blast doing the old songs."
Not that Buckingham would like to rest on his laurels. He hopes the group will write and record a new disc.
"Hopefully, the tour will spark us to make a new record," he says. "Let's see what happens. I'm open to anything."
If Fleetwood Mac doesn't craft a new disc, count on Buckingham to make another album on his own.
"I feel very creative right now," he says. "I like to keep putting out records. I'm sure I'll put another (solo) one out, but it would be really cool if we could make another Fleetwood Mac album."
Fleetwood Mac appears Saturday at Boardwalk Hall, 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City. Show time is 8 p.m. Tickets: $49.50, $79.50 and $149.50. Information: 800-736-1420.
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